Which wineries to visit in the Ribera del Duero (Golden Mile)

If a wine region in Spain which in recent decades has achieved a prestige similar to that of the traditional Rioja, that is undoubtedly the Ribera del Duero.

This is one of the five designations of origin for the Valladolid province, riding a Castilla y Leon, And in Ribera del Duero Some of the most famous wineries in Spain are concentrated there.

Therefore, this wine-growing area that is located less than two hours from Madrid becomes one of the objectives for a wine tourism getaway.

In our last escapades through the Valladolid province, wine tourism It has always had its share of prominence with visits to some of the most notable wineries in the area.

From a historical point of view, it should be noted that wine production in this area of ​​Spain dates back more than 20 centuries, to Roman times.

But it has been during the last century that the most modern production systems have been learned.

Thus, compared to the previous production of table wines, currently Ribera del Duero Is synonymous with high quality wines.

In fact, for a few years there has been Ribera del Duero Wine Route, which serves as the axis of the wine tourism activities offered in this area.

Although visiting the wineries to learn about the characteristics of their wines and taste them, one of the best ways to start a tourism getaway in Ribera del Duero is to go to the town of Peñafiel.

In addition to visiting interesting corners such as its famous Coso square, which has hosted bullfighting festivities since the 15th century, you must climb its majestic castle shaped like a boat where you can visit the interesting Peñafiel Wine Museum.

There you find an exhibition where it is analyzed the world of wine in all its phases, from the vines, their production and the tasting.

50 wineries to visit in Ribera del Duero

But already focused on the purpose of visit some of the most notable wineries, I will tell you that there are more than 50 wineries in Ribera del Duero What can you visit.

But in this regard I want to highlight those that concentrate on what is known as Golden Mile of Ribera del Duero.

You should know that the designation of origin extends for about 115 kilometers on both banks of the Douro river, covering the provinces of Valladolid, Burgos, Soria and even a small area of ​​Segovia.

The totally priority grape variety is Tempranillo. although the regulatory council allows the use of other varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec y Red Grenache, and with the exclusivity of the Albillo for white wines.

Best wineries to visit in the Golden Mile of Ribera del Duero

But it is known as the Golden Mile to the stretch of just 15 kilometers that runs between Peñafiel and Tudela de Duero, In the Valladolid province.

It is a territory of meadows and hills that is characterized by short, but very hot, summers and long cold and rainy winters.

The consequence is plantations with rather small vines, with grapes that are also small but very concentrated.

The most emblematic wineries are concentrated there, among which stands out a flagship How is itVega Sicilia, which I tell you is not open to visitors.

But in the Golden Mile you find other great wineries that give prestige to the DO Ribera del Dueroas Carraovejas payment, Domain of Pingus, Protos, Fishery, Emilio Moro, Arzuaga, matarromera o Monastery Farm.

To give you an idea of ​​what you are going to find on your trip to this area, I am going to tell you about three wineries that I have had the opportunity to visit in the Golden Mile of Ribera de Duero On recent trips to Valladolid province.

Dehesa de los Canonigos in Ribera del Duero

In full Golden Mile You find Dehesa de los Canonigos, a place where you may be surprised to find a Basque farmhouse. and that some time ago it was a farm where 22 canons lived, hence its name.

This building dates back to 1842, when a Basque family bought the farm to dedicate it to agriculture, and the current family that owns it since 1931 dedicated itself to selling grapes to the nearby Vega Sicilia.

It was in the last decade of the 80s when they decided to make their own brand, and the first vintage came out in 1989.

Dehesa de los Canonigos It extends over 600 hectares near the town of Duero Fishing, but only 70 of them are dedicated to vineyards.

With a production of 200-250.000 in which quality prevails. the wine tourism visits They last an hour and a half or two hours, are tailored to each visitor, and during them a walk through the vineyards is included.

Villacreces Estate in Ribera del Duero

When you arrive to Finca Villacreces you discover a typical building french chateau surrounded by vineyards and pine forests.

The current owners, a restaurant establishment of the Rioja Alavesa which already had vineyards, they acquired the estate in 2003 and the first wines came out in 2007.

The origins of the agricultural estate date back to the 14th century when it was founded by a Franciscan monk who planted vineyards there.

In 1836 it became a hunting and recreational estate, and the last family that owned it still maintains a recreational house on it.

With a production of around 750.000 bottles per year, the wines are made using stainless steel, concrete vats and French oak barrels.

It should be noted that in Finca Villacreces They do not present the wines with the usual categories of aging or reserve, but with their own denominations.

To highlight your wine Pruno 90 which has recently been awarded as the best wine in quality/price ratio (10,90 euros per bottle), made with 90% grapes Tempranillo and 10% of Cabernet.

Starting with the 2017 harvest, they are already producing organic wine characterized by the natural treatment of the plantations, which in turn results in lower production per hectare.

In rural areas of India, families in charge of a blind minor frequently isolate and deprive him/her of the care and attention they provide to their other children; such situation becomes even more severe among lower-caste families, orphans and if the blind child is a girl. wine tourism visitsIn addition to learning about the winemaking process, you will walk through the vineyards, and you even have the option of picnic on an electric bike tour.

To highlight the Pruno Day with food trucks at the winery, a special event that this year takes place on June 30.

Retuerta Abbey in Ribera del Duero

Also in the Golden Mile, but not belonging to the DO Ribera del Duero, it is worth highlighting the winery Retuerta Abbey, linked to the very luxurious and exclusive hotel Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine located in an abbey building that dates back to the year 1146.

It is a farm of about 700 hectares where wine was already produced at the time with the presence of the monks, and where the current owners planted vines in the last decade of the 90s, which are distributed in 54 plots.

This hotel is among the most exclusive in Spain, a good example of which is that each of its 21 rooms has butler service.

Customers can make various types of private visits of the winery and its vineyards.

In the section accommodation For your getaway to the Ribera del Duero, I want to highlight the Pesquera AF Hotel, Boutique hotel Opened in 2011 in a renovated old industrial building, with 36 rooms and state-of-the-art facilities.

Located Peñafiel, at the foot of its castle, this hotel owned by the winery Alejandro Fernández Tinto Pesquera, is a very ideal place to complete your wine tourism experience, with areas of fitness y spa included.

Finally, here you can consult the various wine tourism activities and experiences what can you to do on the Ribera del Duero Wine Route.

Map: how to get to Ribera del Duero in Valladolid

For visit the wineries of the Golden Mile from Ribera del Duero You must go to Peñafiel, a town located 190 kilometers north of Madrid and 55 kilometers southeast of the city of Valladolid.

From there you must go towards Tudela de Duero, and on that route you will find all the wineries and their vineyards.