The Region
Spanish wineries are known madridas “bodegas” and the wine makers, “bodegueros”. The bodegueros make their products from a large variety of grapes – too large to list here. The wines from Rioja, set in the foothills of the Pyrenees near the French border and 45 minutes South-East of Bilbao (location of the famous Guggenheim Museum), are typically built around the Tempranillo grape using traditional production methods that came from Bordeaux. Aging in oak is one of the key characteristics of the Riojas. It’s not unusual to find the better reds blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. The Ribera de Duero, between Madrid and Santander near Burgos is Spain’s fastest developing wine district. The combination of cold nights, sunny days, the highest altitudes of any wine-producing region in Spain and fertile alkaline soil produce flavorful, award-winning wines. Madrid, the Capital and art center of Spain. You’ve been to the Louvre and the Uffizi, now’s your chance to visit the 3rd greatest Museum in all of Europe, The Prado. Other must-sees include the Thyssen and Reina Sofia Museums as well. While Barcelona is King of Spanish cuisine, Madrid is the Queen of the tapa bar experience, the civilized way to meet the beautiful people of Spain.
Wineries
You may visit Pesquera, Arzuaga Navarro, Villacampa, Torremilamos, Pagos del Rey, Ventosilla, Marques de Riscal, Remirez de Ganuza, Valpiedra, Allende, Ysios, Tobia, Muga, Roda, López de Heredia.
Spain: 5 nights/6 Days Penedes & Priorat
Barcelona is Gaudi and Gaudi is architecture. The city is on the cutting edge of must see architecture and urban-mix style that reflects Barcelona’s complex culture. Eat! Eat! Eat! The “new wave” chefs, led by Ferran Adrià, have made Barcelona the place for incredible and creative cuisine that critics say rivals that of Paris. Must dos include Quimet & Quimet, the popular tapas emporium and the incredible Bilbao Museum.
The Region & Must See/Must Do: These regions southwest of Barcelona are part of “Cataluna”. British wine writer Tony Lord called Penedes the “heartland” of the Spanish viticultural revolution thanks to the Torres family and the science of modern wine-making. Sparkling Cava is the wine most associated with Penedes. Credit also goes to Codorniu and its importation of method champenoise from France. In Priorat the Garnacha grape, a full-bodied, intense red grape with high alcohol content (13.5%) produces wines that are so good they are rivaling Rioja as Spain’s premier wine region.
Accommodation
Hotel Cal Llops is a boutique situated in the tiny village of Gratallops in the center of the Priorat wine region. In Penedes, your home will be Can Bonastre Wine Resort with just 12 rooms which are unique, modern and minimalist. Their Spa offers sauna, vapor bath, indoor swimming pool with water jets and a special wine therapy treatment.
Wineries
Wineries: Here are those we think you’d like: Freixnet, Cordonniu, Cavas Nadal, Parés Baltà, Al- varo Palacios, Clos Mogador, Vall Llach, Clos Erasmus, Rotllan Torra, Mas Doix, Alvaro Palacios, Masia Duch and Cellars de Scala Dei.
Inclusions & Pricing:
- 6 days and 5 Nights hotel in shared double/twin room
- 5 Breakfast daily
- 1 gourmet dinner at Cal Llops,
- 2 gourmet lunches at El Cairat and Restaurant Masia Aran (wine not included)
- Artisan olive-oil tasting and organ recital
- 7 Winery visits and all wine tasting fees
- Your bi-lingual wine expert driver-guide program with 6 days of guiding, commentary and local insider information
Your Penedes & Priorat tour is priced from $5,799.00pp but can be as low as $4,279.00 (6 guests) and includes luxury car, SUV or van. But final cost depends on season of travel, number of days in wine country, number of travelers, choice of 4 or 5 Star accommodation and dining peferences.
Suggested Tours
5 Star Madrid, Rioja & Ribera de Duero 7 Nights 8 Days
Accommodation
In Madrid we have you being pampered at the incomparable5 Star Villa Magna. Hotel Torremilanos, a beautiful, family-owned hotel is part of the Penalba-Lopez winery situated in the hillside vineyards outside the town of Aranda de Duero, with its own restaurant and lovely grounds. Hotel Castillo el Collado is a very small, family-owned boutique hotel in the medieval village of Laguardia, in the heart of Rioja. Each room is individually decorated and the service and food in the restaurant is outstanding. Hotel Barceló Nervión is in the center of Bilbao 200 meters from the Guggenheim and the old city.
Inclusions
- Transfers – from and to airports/hotels
- 7 nights Deluxe accommodation double occupancy
- 6 days chauffeur – bi-lingual guide for wine country commentary insider information and local history
- 6 days private car transport with fuel
- 7 breakfasts
- 1 lunch paired with wine
- 5 dinners
- Tours of Prado Museum in Madrid
- Tour of Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao
- Madrid ½ day city tour
- RItz Hotel Afternoon Tea
- Vinotherapie Spa treatment
- 10 winery visits and tastings
Exclusions
- Meals and wine not stated as included.
- Personal items: tips, taxes, laundry /dry cleaning, and liquor not stated as included.
Pricing
Price Per Person (pp): $6,915.00 double occupancyCan be as low as $4,547.00 pp with 6 travelers (3 couples) traveling together.
The Fine Print
Prices are per person double occupancy and subject to change due to currency fluctuations until offer purchased.
N.B. Restaurants, Hotels and Winery Owner/Wine Consultant Lunches may change based on availability of seats, rooms, or individuals. Substitutes will be of equal or greater value and interest
Deluxe 5 Nights 6 Days Rioja, Ribera and de Duero
Inclusions
- Private airport or hotel transfer or pick-up
- 6 days of Chauffeur driver-wine expert guide with commentary, insider info and local wine history
- 6 days use of private car, SUV or van including fuel.
- 5 Nights hotel in shared double/twin room incl. taxes.
- 5 breakfasts
- 1 lunch at Arzuaga Navarro, including fine wines, paired with food
- 2 gourmet dinners: one at Hotel-BodegaTorremilanos and one at Castillo El Collado
- 1 artisan visit “TBD” based on client preference of seasonal options.
- 8 VIP winery visits and all wine tasting fees
Exclusions
- International airfare and Customs fees
- Meals and wine not stated as included
- Personal items: tips, taxes, laundry /dry cleaning, and liquor not stated as included.
Pricing
Price Per Person (pp): $4,979.00 double occupancy but…can be as low as $3,249.00 per person with 6 people (e.g. 3 couples) traveling together.
The Fine Print
Prices are per person double occupancy and subject to change due to currency fluctuations until deposit.
N.B. Restaurants, Hotels and Winery Owner/Wine Consultant Lunches may change based on availability of seats, rooms, or individuals. Substitutes will be of equal or greater value and interest.