Visit the Peñafiel Castle and the Wine Museum (Valladolid): schedules, prices

I have already commented in some other article that before my first tourism trip through the province of Valladolid I didn't know any of most of the places I visited.

Of course, with one caveat, the Peñafiel castle.

The image of big castle that rises behind the foreground of a square with houses that are an example of country architecture, yes I had it in mind, although when I saw it live it was much prettier than I remembered.

This is the most characteristic image of this town of the Ribera del Duero, and also a icon of the province of Valladolid.

I am referring to the very peculiar figure of the elongated Peñafiel castle view from the Coso square, in which bullfighting celebrations were already held in the 15th century.

In view of this image, it is easy to imagine this fortification as a large ship sailing over the Castilian plateau.

Curiosities history of Peñafiel castle

Its origins date back to the 943th century, since in the year XNUMX there is evidence of the existence of a fortress on the rocky hill that rises next to the current town of Peñafiel.

That's where it happened almanzor, but the fortress was reconquered from the Muslims by the Castilian count sancho garcia.

The peculiar elongated shape of the castle that we see today is due to the reforms that were carried out in the 15th century by order of Don Pedro Téllez Girón.

What to see when visiting Peñafiel Castle (Valladolid)

Measuring 210 meters long and 35 meters wide, the castle is located at a height of about 200 meters above the Castilian plain.

From its walls you can see the Duero and Duratón valleys, so it is easy to understand that in its time it was a strategic fortress.

When now you are going to visit the castle, your walk through the fortress will focus on climbing the tower of tribute, which is located more or less in the center of this elongated ship.

From the top of the tower you will have panoramic views of this area of ​​the Ribera del Duero and, in the foreground, the town of Peñafiel, from which above all you will distinguish the aforementioned Coso square and church and convent of San Pablo.

And, of course, you will see how the castle wall adopts a shape similar to the keel of a large ship, creating a curious perspective.

Wine Museum 

El Peñafiel castle since 1999 it has housed the wine museum, which was completely renovated in 2015.

Without a doubt taking advantage of the attraction that this great castle arouses, it receives an average of one hundred thousand visits a year since it has become a focus for lovers of the wine tourism.

Its exhibition currently transcends a mere vision of local wines, and becomes a museum that analyzes wine from a global perspective.

In a land where wine is the great protagonist, in full Ribera del Duero, this museum is the main attraction that you can see in your castle visit, beyond peeking into the viewpoints of its walls and go up to the aforementioned Tower of tribute.

During the museum visit you will find various thematic areas whose focus is not limited to the various appellations of origin of Valladolid, the aforementioned Ribera del Duero, Cigales, Toro, Wheel and the most recent, Land of Leon.

The objective of the exhibition is to show the process of wine making, from the vines, with the very different types of grapes, through the production process, conservation in the bottle and cellar and, finally, the tasting with its different steps, from the visual analysis to that of its aromas.

In the museum you will find several automaton figures that present various jobs linked to the world of wine, such as the cooper or the glass maker.

To highlight the possibility of transferring information from the different areas of the museum to your mobile phone by means of a QR code.

You also have the possibility of signing up for the commented tastings that are organized for visitors, in which you can discover the characteristics of the aforementioned appellations of origin that are made in said Castilian province.

You will also know what are the native grapes from that area, Prieto Picudo, Tinta de Toro y Verdejo.

In sum, in a car route through the province of Valladolid You have an obligatory appointment with him castle, with a combination of cultural tourism and wine tourism.

Peñafiel Castle and Wine Museum schedules

The Visiting hours of the castle and the Peñafiel Wine Museum They are, from April to September, from Tuesday to Sunday and holidays, from 10,30:14 a.m. to 16 p.m. and from 20 p.m. to XNUMX p.m.

In the rest of the year, from 10,30:14 a.m. to 16 p.m. and from 18 p.m. to XNUMX p.m.

On Mondays the castle and museum are closed to visitors.

Peñafiel castle and wine museum ticket prices

The ticket prices They are, for guided tours of the castle and free visit to the museum, 6,60 euros; If you also include the commented tasting, 9,20 euros.

La Admission is free for children under 12 years old.

Map: how to get to Peñafiel Castle (Valladolid)

This Valladolid town is located 50 minutes east of the city of Valladolid and two hours north of Madrid.