Wines of Rioja & Northern Spain

Itinerary

• Day 1 - Arrival

  On arrival we transfer to the 4* Hotel Eguren Ugarte where we shall stay for the first three nights. You are free to explore for the rest of the afternoon before we meet this evening for an introductory talk and wine-tasting with Tim Clarke, followed by dinner.

• Day 2 - Haro

  This morning we head for Haro, wine capital of La Rioja. Our first visit is to a traditional winery in the area of historic bodegas close to the railway that linked Rioja with the outside world. Lunchtime is free in the hill town of Haro.

• Day 3 - Vineyards of Rioja Alavesa

  Today is devoted to exploring the vineyards of Rioja Alavesa. Highlights will include the innovative Viña Ijalba, who pioneered the revival of Rioja’s classic grape Graciano, the state of the art Viña Real winery and lunch at the farmhouse of Contino, the oldest ‘single estate’ Rioja bodega, one of the most attractive wines and most idyllic places in Rioja. We then visit the Rioja Wine Museum which has its own winery and a permanent exhibition exploring the history of winetasting in the region.

• Day 4 - Old Castile

  Today we head for Old Castile and the historic city of Burgos where we visit the magnificent cathedral and stop for lunch. We continue to Peñafiel in the Duoro valley, where we stay for two nights at the 4* Hotel Convento las Claras.

• Day 5 - Ribera del Duero

  Ribera del Duero has risen to challenge Rioja as the top region in Spain for red wine. The cold nights and hot days here give intense uplifted aroma, power and elegance to the wines. We will visit several great cellars here. Our first appointment is at Aalto where the great wines don’t come by accident but from extreme care, old vines and the vast experience of winemaker Mariano García. We taste the spectacular wines of Abadia Retuerta over lunch. This evening, our visit to Bodegas Alejandro Fernández will be a highlight of the tour. They make the great ‘Pesquera,’ Condado de Haza and other superb wines that we enjoy over dinner.

• Day 6 - Segovia

  On our final day we travel south through the high plains of Castile. We’ll stop for a tasting at an excellent producer of Rueda white wines, before arriving in Segovia, famous for its Roman aqueduct and eccentric ‘Alcázar.’ We will enjoy a traditional lunch before we drive to Madrid airport for the flight back to London – alternatively, ask about extending your stay with a couple of nights in the Spanish capital.