"Among all the wine tours of Spain we do, Eat Northern Spain wants to show you our-best selling tour, a journey of discovery of the authentic Spain. We have created an intimate tour, and we'll escort you on an adventure that unearths the best authentic experiences Spain has to offer. No two people are the same, each is unique. So we understand that no two holidays should be alike either. We listen to what you want and create a personalised itinerary tailored around you, finessing every detail before, during and after your holiday. Your holiday. Your experience. Your way. We will work to exceed your expectations during the trip. You are not booking any tour, you are booking an upscale holiday around food & wine guided by expert English-speaking foodies"
Our awarded luxury wine tour of Spain in 8 Days
THE TOUR AT A GLANCE
Dine in some of Spain's finest restaurants, enjoying paired tasting menus
Picture yourself exploring Spain's five world-famous wine regions
Let the sun shine on you at the "Rias Baixas", full of unspoilt white sand beaches
Discover the secrets of Spain's world-famous wine region Ribera del Duero
Sleep in style at a 12th century medieval abbey turned world-class hotel surrounded by vineyards
Enjoy VIP wine tastings at selected wine states in five different Spanish wine regions
Savour delicious and thought-provoking food at traditional and unique restaurants
Be inspired by a stunning winery in Spain designed by Frank Gehry
Be amazed by an architectural masterpiece designed by world-famous architect Antoni Gaudí
Day 1
- Panoramic drive through the vineyards of the Rioja, where one of the best wines in the world are produced
Your exclusive wine tour of Spain starts here...
Upon arrival to Madrid airport you will be welcomed by your guide and escorted to a private vehicle. Then you will enjoy a scenic drive to the Spanish countryside across Spain’s world-famous wine region: Rioja.
Rioja is without a doubt Spain’s most beautiful wine region and an absolute treat for the food and wine lover! The landscapes are of gentle rolling vineyard-covered hills, pretty medieval hamlets and the backdrop of the majestic Cantabrian Mountains.
Enjoy breathtaking views as we drive through the vineyards of this stunning region and discover its world-famous wineries along the way, our favourite region of all our wine tours of Spain.
Your home for the next two nights will be the Hotel Viura, in the picturesque stone village of Villabuena de Álava This unassuming hamlet sits in the heart of La Rioja and has barely 300 inhabitants — yet over 40 wineries. Before dinner, you can pop into the wine shop in Hotel Viura and taste some of the incredible local selections. The hotel will impress you with its modern rooms, all with floor-to-ceiling windows.
For dinner, you will indulge yourself in the hotel's a-la-carte restaurant and you will try some of the most delicious wines Rioja produces in the area.
Day 2
- A guided tour of one of Spain's oldest wineries
- A delicious lunch with local food in a medieval monastery, exclusive access with us on all our wine tours of Spain
- A guided visit to Marqués de Riscal, a stunning winery producing one of the best wines in the world
You will enjoy a guided visit to one of the oldest in La Rioja. The strategic situation of their vineyards, the exceptional quality of the plantings, and the varieties used are essentially complemented by a magnificent winery, whose creation process was similar to the planting of the vineyards: slowly, with maximum care and attention.Their wines are internationally recognised as one of the most unique of the region. You will sample them in a beautiful setting inside the winery.
After an unforgettable visit for the wine aficionado, you will be escorted to Haro's old town for an intimate lunch surrounded by the old walls of an imposing Augustinian monastery. The "Claustro de Los Agustinos" restaurant will offer to you a varied selection of products: from a casual meal of tapas and morsels prepared on the spot to the most elaborate dishes of modern cuisine.
The afternoon drive to your next hotel provides a perfect opportunity for your next experience of local culture, the siesta! while you are driven to Elciego (20 min) to visit probably the most spectacular winery in the region: Marqués de Riscal. Founded in the mid-18th Century, Marqués de Riscal is steeped in tradition, being one of the proudest and oldest wineries in Spain, yet it has never rested on its laurels, always keeping an eagle eye on the future; an outlook arguably exemplified no better than its stunning, Frank Gehry-designed winery – a ground-breaker of its time. A "must" during your stay with us on all our wine tours of Spain.
You will enjoy a visit of the winery and wine tasting of its world-famous wines.
For dinner, you will enjoy a feast for your senses at the hotel's à-la-carte restaurant.
Day 3
- Panoramic drive through the vineyards of the Golden Mile of Ribera del Duero, where one of the best wines in the world are produced
After a full delicious breakfast your guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel to take you to your next stop on this wine tour of Spain: Ribera del Duero (2h 15min).
Enjoy breath-taking views as you pass through the vineyards of Ribera del Duero, discover its world-famous wineries along the "Golden Mile" of this wine region where some of the best wines in the world are produced.
You will arrive in Peñafiel, the heart of this wine region. You will visit Peñafiel’s castle, at the top of a hill and with commanding views over the vineyards, a must when visiting this region.
Your gastronomic journey begins with an opportunity to sample the signature dish of the Ribera del Duero region, roast lamb slow-cooked using a centuries old technique, the local name is “Lechazo”. A selection of a-la-carte starters of local specialities will complement this fantastic meal. Of course, your meal would not be complete with an accompanying red wine from the region.
After lunch, you will be welcomed to Abadia Retuerta Le Domaine, a hidden gem for a wine lover among the string of exclusive wine estates found along the Duero river that crosses Northern Spain. A beloved 12th century medieval abbey carefully restored and turned into a world-class five-star hotel surrounded by vineyards. This is a milestone in all our wine tours of Spain. It will be your home for two nights.
After you check in, you can enjoy a glass of wine looking out over the vineyards at sunset from the comfort of your own room.
At the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant you will enjoy a spectacular dining experience full of flavourful surprises paired with the winery’s best wines in a spectacular setting.
Day 4
- A visit to two of the most exclusive wineries in Ribera del Duero
After a reinvigorating sleep and a full breakfast with local specialities your expert local guide will take you on a scenic route across the vineyards of this region. You will enjoy a visit to Pago de Carraovejas, one of the most famous wine estates in Spain. The experience begins with a tour of the vineyard, an opportunity to enjoy the exceptional views afforded by the panoramic windows and balconies. Later, in the winery, you will follow the same path the grapes follow through the wine-making process and you will taste a selection of three of Pago de Carraovejas’ wines, accompanied by a singular gastronomic proposal.
For lunch, you will take a seat on the terrace at Pago de Carraovejas, overlooking the 10th century Peñafiel Castle, where you can taste some of the area's best reds. Expect lunch to be lively with spruced-up versions of regional favourites like red-wine-stewed chicken and poached egg with peas.
After lunch you will be driven to Portia Winery, a stunning architectural masterpiece, designed by Norman Foster. Here you will enjoy a guided wine tasting and have the opportunity to view the winery’s impressive building and art gallery.
You will then be driven back to the hotel. You will indulge yourself into one of the restaurants of the hotel where you will savour scrumptious Spanish tapas made with the freshest local produce.
Day 5
- A 4x4 drive though "Ribera del Duero"vineyards & a picnic with local products surrounded by ancient vines
- A tour inside Gaudí's Episcopal Palace in Astorga, a stunning architectural masterpiece
- A panoramic drive through the ancient vines of "El Bierzo", one of the Spanish up and coming wine regions
After a reinvigorating sleep, you may choose from a relaxing morning at the magnificnet Hotel Spa an doutdoor pool or a 4×4 private tour of Abadía Retuerta's estate and the vineyards.
If you choose the wine state visit, you will enjoy a lovely ride through the vines and you will learn how wines are produced inside the winery followed by a guided wine tasting of Abadia Retuerta's famous wines.
You will enjoy a countryside picnic with local products and wine surrounded by vineyards in one of the most exclusive "terroirs" in Ribera del Duero.
After that, your guide and your driver will meet you at the lobby to pick you up to continue your journey to the next wine region of your wine tour of Spain: Bierzo (2h 30 min)
You will stop for lunch at a family-run restaurant hidden on the back roads of Spain. A delicious menu based on traditional local Spanish recipes will be waiting for you to enjoy.
After experiencing the Spanish "siesta" you will arrive at "El Bierzo", one of the hiddem gems of the wine world and home to the mencía and godello grapes. This region is in the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route where hundreds of pilgrims walk everyday from France to get to Santiago de Compostela in a life-changing experience. You will have the chance to meet the pilgrims as they cross the hills of this region while you enjoy a drive through ancient vineyards in a place with the biggest concentration of old vines in Spain. A unique experience of this unique wine tour of Spain.
A stroll through the vineyards and a wine tasting of their famous wines paired with delicious local food while you contemplate a spectacular sunset will be the cherry on the cake to a visit to this magical region.
Day 6
- A private wine tasting at one of the best wineries in "El Bierzo"
- A guided stroll around old monasteries hidden in chestnut trees forests by the river Si
After a sumptuous breakfast overlooking the vineyards, you will be escorted to the hotel's winery for a private tour of the vineyards and the wine cellar.
A wine tasting of the winery's most acclaimed wines will be the cherry on the cake to an unforgettable morning for the wine aficionado.
After enjoying a delicious lunch at the winery's restaurant, you will be driven along a scenic road to "Ribeira Sacra": a sacred land of wines and a paradise for wine lovers. A hidden gem, the cherry on the cake of our wine tours across Spain.
"Ribeira Sacra", at the heart of Galicia in Northern Spain, has one of the biggest concentrations in Europe of cultural heritage dated from the 12th century. A stroll around old monasteries in the middle of a forest of chestnut trees by the River Sil will be an inspiring activity for a sunny afternoon.
At the end of the day, you will retire to the contemporary elegance of your hotel; a converted monastery that dates back to the 7th century. This peaceful retreat combines ancient beauty with luxury hotel service and stunning cosy rooms.
You will be delighted with delicious Galician cuisine at the hotel's spectacular restaurant located in what was once the monastery stables.
Day 7
- A guided Boat Cruise along the river Sil surrounded by vineyards
- A morning stroll along the terraces where the vines grow & a wine tasting in one of the best wineries in Ribeira Sacra
After a breakfast of local specialities in one of the hotel's incredible cloisters you will see the area from a different perspective. You will visit a winery in the area with a privileged situation high at the top of the banks of the river Sil. After a lovely walk through the vines you will learn how wines are produced inside the winery.
After marvelling at the breathtaking views of the River Sil Canyon, you will take a cruise along its still waters.
As you journey along the river, you will learn how wines are produced from the vineyards that stretch along the terraces above you, and then transported by boat to be transformed into wine.
After a delicious local lunch in a family-run restaurant you will say goodbye to the Ribeira Sacra and you will be driven to the Rias Baixas, a wine region home to Spain's best white wines and a natural paradise with stunning beaches.
You will sleep in style at a five-star waterfront hotel & spa where you can be watching fishermen bring the catch of the day to port from the comfort of your own room.
Tonight, you will enjoy a farewell dinner, a gastronomic journey at one of the best restaurants in Spain as you sample world-class dishes from its tasting menu that combine tradition and innovation. A perfect occasion to celebrate all the experiences you have enjoyed during one of Spain's most unique and authentic wine tours of Spain.
Day 8
- A private guided tour of the Albariño grape vineyards followed by a wine tasting of superb white wines.
Your morning will start with a mouth-watering breakfast with a view. After that you can enjoy a relaxing time at the hotel spa and outdoor pool.
After a relaxing morning, you will be driven to one of the most beautiful wineries in the region and you will enjoy a private guided tour of the vineyards and winery followed by a tasting of the superb Albariño wines they produce.
The saddest experience of this spectacular wine tour of Spain will be a short drive to the airport in time to take your flight home.
- go bespoke
Dates
This is a Private Tour available all-year-round
Group size
2- 12 people (Private Tour: only you & your group travelling together)
Starting Point
Madrid's airport
Ending Point
Santiago de Compostela's airport
What’s included? Everything you need. Plus everything you'd want. Plus a few things you never knew you wanted until you got them.
In a word: everything. In eighty words? A private chauffeur wine tour in Spain guided by an English-speaking local guide, an interesting, fun and like-minded travel companion; authentic and innovative local cuisine; world-class local wines; wine tastings; all victuals and libations; all the endorphins you can handle; new insight; a feeling of total freedom. In short: an extraordinary, hassle-free journey of discovery. Travel at your own pace: Our tailor-made holidays are very flexible, allowing you to start road journeys or sightseeing when you choose – within reason.
- All hotel accommodation
- 2 nights -- RIOJA - Boutique Hotel Viura 4*
- 2 nights -- RIBERA DEL DUERO -- Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine 5* GL
- 1 night -- BIERZO -- Palacio de Canedo 4*
- 1 night -- RIBEIRA SACRA -- Parador de Santo Estevo 4*
- 1 night -- RIAS BAIXAS -- Gran Hotel La Toja 5*
- Daily breakfast at all the hotels.
- All meals at Michelin-starred, signature and traditional restaurants and all other meals as indicated à-la-carte (6 lunches & 7 dinners) with wines and drinks included à-la-carte (no fixed menus, you may choose from each restaurant's public menu what you want to taste).
- All transportation from airport pickup to drop-off in a chauffeured air-conditioned brand-new vehicle: Mercedes Class E, V or luxury minibus. Your safety and comfort are paramount. You will enjoy touring Northern Spain in safety, comfort and style.
- English speaking guide during the whole trip. Translator services and assistance at restaurants, hotels & experiences. We will break the language barrier for you so you can get the most out of your experiences during your trip.
- All the experiences, visits and activities included in the itinerary.
- 24h concierge service during the whole trip.
- All baggage transportation.
- All gratuities for baggage, porters and hotel service.
- All currently applicable taxes.
What’s not included?
- International Flights
- Medical Travel Insurance
- Personal expenses
What to expect
- A laid-back pace with free time to relax
- Plenty of scrumptious local food and wine as well as time to really appreciate the dining experience. @ Wine Tours Spain
