Ribera del Duero wine region tour · September 2027

Join us in one of Spain's finest wine regions - Ribera del Duero! Most certainly one of Spain’s most prestigious red wine producing regions there are gorgeous white wines here too. Situated along the Duero River on the high-altitude Northern Plateau (Meseta Central) in the autonomous community of Castilla y León. The Duero is known as The Douro in Portugal, another famous region and one of our memorable past wine tour destinations.

Look forward to Michelin star dining, private behind the scenes winery visits, sensational tasting experiences and much more!

The region's unique climate and topography heavily dictate the style of its wines:

• High altitude: vineyards sit between 750 and 1000 meters above sea level. This extreme elevation brings high solar radiation alongside cool night breezes.

• Diurnal temperature shift: hot summer days ripen the grapes fully, while freezing nights slow down ripening and preserve essential acidity. This dramatic temperature drop gives Ribera del Duero wines their hallmark balance of deep, ripe fruit and fresh structure.

• Soil mosaic: A varied landscape featuring limestone, clay, silt, chalk, and alluvial gravel. Limestone-rich soils bring finesse and floral top notes, while heavy clay adds broadness and concentration.

More about Ribera del Duero and it's wines:

These are the principal grape varieties that define the region's identity:

Albillo Mayor: the region’s indigenous white grape variety. Official DO regulations permit white wines made from Albillo Mayor, which feature stone fruit, citrus, and subtle nutty characteristics.

Tinto Fino / Tinta del País (Tempranillo): the undisputed star of the region, accounting for the vast majority of plantings. Local clones of Tempranillo have adapted to the harsh local climate over centuries, developing thicker skins that produce deeply colored, structured wines packed with blackberry, plum, leather, and spice notes.

Bordeaux blending grapes: Small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec are permitted and occasionally blended to add firm tannins, acidity, or velvety fruit texture.

Wine styles & ageing categories

Ribera del Duero red wines strictly follow Spain’s barrel and bottle ageing classifications:

Cosecha / Roble: minimal aging (often under 12 months, little to no oak). Fresh, fruit-forward, dark berries, highly approachable young.

Crianza: minimum of 24 months total (at least 12 months in oak). Balanced dark cherry, plum, vanilla, and gentle toastiness.

Reserva: minimum of 36 months total (at least 12 months in oak). Complex, dried fruit, tobacco, leather, integrated oak structure.

Gran Reserva: minimum 60 months total (at least 24 months in oak). Exceptional depth, earthy, savory, tertiary aromas; made only in prime vintages.

Some Puglia wine region facts:

Though winemaking dates back to Roman times, the Denominación de Origen (DO) was officially established in 1982. A few notable estates helped put the region on the global map:

Vega Sicilia: founded in 1864, it is Spain’s most celebrated winery. Its flagship bottling, Único, is legendary for aging decades before release. Sadly Vega Sicilai do not permit winery visits - we have tried!

Dominio de Pingus: founded by Danish winemaker Peter Sisseck in the 1990s, producing ultra-concentrated, low-yield, cult wines.

Bodegas Tinto Pesquera: founded by Alejandro Fernández, whose rich, accessible styles in the 1970s and 80s sparked international demand for the region.

Key regional food and wine pairings:

The classic local pairing for a Ribera del Duero Crianza or Reserva is Lechazo Asado (roasted suckling lamb cooked in wood-fired clay ovens). The bold tannins and crisp acidity cut through rich fats, making the wine equally well suited for grilled ribeye steaks, roasted game, and aged hard cheeses like Manchego.

More about us:

We believe in providing an intimate and personalised experience for our guests, making each event special, social and memorable.

​

We offer exceptional value and take you on vineyard visits which are curated exclusively for our guests, most of which are not available to the public. Wine and food pairing experiences are of course standard and we include Michelin star dining where available. Journey with a group of a maximum of 16 guests where you can indulge in delicious wines and scenery and enjoy the best accommodation available in each region. There’s always plenty of free time for guests to enjoy some down time too.

​

You'll receive top-notch service from our three tour hosts at all times, prioritising your comfort and needs throughout. We have set out our expectations at our destinations that our guests should enjoy the experience without the pressure to buy on site and that many wines are available in the UK should you wish to buy independently on your return.

Karen & Andy Miraleis will lead this tour as always and our wine expert joining us will be Richard J Smith.

When can you book?

More information will be available for this tour in autumn 2026, subject to a sufficient advance register of interest. The tour will be planned around flights from Manchester airport to Madrid with alternative flight options, where possible, from London. You can register your interest in the tour today on this page. We'll send details to your email address when the tour is released - registering your interest of course does not mean a commitment to book.

Please note these are estimated tour dates and are subject to change when autumn 2027 flight details are made available.