Ribera del Duero Wine Tours. Ribera del Duero Wine Tour

Special Ribera del Duero Wine Tours

1.- Describe your desired wine tour in Ribera del Duero

2.- We propose the best tour according to your preferences

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Take more than a tour in Ribera del Duero

Ribera del Duero Like A Native is the major expert provider of exciting and unique Ribera del Duero Wine Tours, showcasing one of the very best of Spain’s famous wine regions.

We believe people no longer want to be tourists, they want to feel like natives. Don’t just visit Ribera del Duero Wine Country, come experience it with local friends in our tours!

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The best tours in Ribera del Duero

You can enjoy STANDARD RIBERA DEL DUERO WINE TOURS with a selection of the best places to visit in Ribera del Duero based on more than 2,500 reviews, and CUSTOMIZED RIBERA DEL DUERO WINE TOURS where we will plan the best route and include your favorite activities.

We are flexible and adapt to any budget.

STANDARD RIBERA DEL DUERO WINE TOURS

A selection of the best places to visit in Ribera del Duero according to more than 2,500 opinions. Itinerary:

Visit to a Traditional Family Winery + wine tasting
Visit to a traditional winery strolling through the vineyards with the enologist tasting their best estate wines
Lunch in the medieval town of Penafiel or Aranda del Duero
Visit to a small 14th century underground family winery + wine tasting

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STANDARD RIBERA DEL DUERO WINE TOURS

CUSTOMIZED RIBERA DEL DUERO WINE TOURS

We will plan the best route and include your favorite activities. We are flexible and adapt to any budget.

For Winelovers: Be a Winemaker • Wine Tasting Courses • Vineyards, Winery and Wine Tastings (also in other Denomination of Origin in Spain, France and Portugal) • Architectural & Castle Wine Route
For Lovers of Good Food: Gastronomy and Wine Route • VIP Gastronomic Experience
Discover the Region: Medieval Villages • The Monasteries Route
For the Most Adventurous: Horseback Ride • Bike Tour • Segway Tour • Kayaking • Paragliding • Balloon Flight

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CUSTOMIZED RIBERA DEL DUERO WINE TOURS

We pick you up at your hotel in the Ribera del Duero region or in any city close-by to do your Ribera del Duero Wine Tour

RIBERA DEL DUERO WINE TOURS FROM THE WINE REGION

If you are staying in Ribera del Duero we can start the tour from your hotel. We will pick you up and return you to your hotel so you don’t need to drive. Some of the most important cities in the region are Aranda del Duero, Penafiel, Lerma and Cuellar with its famous Parador. Don’t miss the opportunity to stay in a palace or Winery-hotel surrounded by vineyards, an experience you will never forget!

Click here if you are staying in the Ribera Del Duero Wine Region

RIBERA DEL DUERO WINE TOURS FROM THE WINE REGION

RIBERA DEL DUERO WINE TOURS FROM NEARBY CITIES

You can visit the Ribera del Duero region in only one day from any nearby city, like Madrid, Segovia, Valladolid, Burgos, Soria or Logrono (Rioja Wine Country). Ribera del Duero is only an hour away from many large cities of Spain, and you will discover a region full of beauty and tradition.

Click here if you are staying in a city nearby

RIBERA DEL DUERO WINE TOURS FROM NEARBY CITIES

Welcome to the Heart of Duero: The Ribera del Duero

Geography

Ribera del Duero is a unique land situated on the northern Castilian plateau of Castilla y Leon, following the course of the Duero River encompassing 102 municipalities spread along the provinces of Burgos, Segovia, Valladolid and Soria that belong to the Denomination of Origin Ribera del Duero a wine-growing strip 115 km long and 35 km wide. It includes an area of 22,300 Hectares or 55,104 Acres with 8,258 active winegrowers and 308 wineries. Its vineyards are located at one of the highest altitudes in Spain at an average of 800 meters or 2,624 feet above sea level. With over 2,400 hours of sunlight and an average of 450 millimeters or 17 inches of rain per year, 40C (104F) summers and -18C (-0.4F ), sudden storms, intense freezes, extreme climate contrasts that alter the course of vineyards. Nature and the passing of time have contributed to create the special Ribereño soil formed by lime and clay sand that, without a doubt is the best base for planting vines. The extraordinary conditions that occur in our land transmit to our wines unusual characteristics to make them unique, don’t miss our Ribera del Duero Wine tour!

History

The ancient settlers of Ribera del Duero already knew that in this unique land something unique grows. Wine and vineyards have formed a part of the culture and the people that lived in the heart of Ribera del Duero for ages. In our Ribera del Duero Wine Tour you will learn about how the Phoenicians, through their merchants, introduced in the Iberian peninsula the most advanced techniques for cultivating and producing grapes and wine, and even the best strains for the climate and land. Several centuries later, the Romans discovered the wines of Spain, much later the wines from Ribera del Duero were used to supply their armies. Today you can find in the zone roman mosaics with ornamental motifs representing Bacchus, this indicates that the richness of the land and its potential for making high quality wines was already known 2000 years ago. Monastic orders were extended all over the territory after the 10th-century spreading the culture of wine and in the 12th century the monks made their own wines in Valbuena del Duero. In 1295 the harvest started to be regulated and since the 15th century production and quality of wine has been controlled. Aranda del Duero is known for their underground wineries that make up a network of 7 kilometers of tunnels and galleries excavated between the 12th and 18th Century located in the historic center of the city which during the last decade have developed several activities related to wine tourism. People started talking about the potential of the wine region in 1975. The creation of this denomination of origin would not have been possible without the work of the Manager of Vega Sicilia and the manager and owner of Torremilanos amongst other people. The next step was achieving temporary recognition in 1979 of Ribera del Duero denomination of origin that was made permanent in 1982. The original name of Ribera del Duero belonged to a winery called Protos and was the name of the winery since its creation in 1927, when the regulatory council was founded, Ribera del Duero Winery changes its name to Protos Winery, the brand name of its main wine, and allowed the regulatory council to use its original name. The regulatory council was originally established in the city of Aranda del Duero and later moved to the city of Roa. From that moment on, it has worked to obtain and maintain a wine quality that is recognized nationally and internationally. From that time until today, the connection between wine and the people from the heart of Ribera del Duero has remained inseparable.

Harvest

The hours in the heart of Ribera del Duero go by with no rush, time is determined by the new harvest. Climate, soil, expert hands, maximum care and dedication, are many of the factors that are involved in the creation of a Ribera del Duero wine. The time to harvest in Ribera del Duero varies and depends upon several variables every year. The date is set after taking samples from the fields and tasting the grapes to determine when it has reached its optimal ripeness. Optimal ripeness is achieved the moment that the amount of sugar stops increasing and acidity has decreased as much as possible. March to November is the best time to come for the Ribera del Duero Wine Tour, but we recommend the first half of October because that is when the harvest begins with the harvesting of the white grapes and the first red grapes. For those who own vineyards in the area, harvest time turns into a bustling activity where all family members take part. The transportation as well as the condition of the grapes also affects the quality of the must. Grapes should not suffer and arrive at the winery as whole as possible without damage. Before introducing the grapes into the deposits the regulatory council of Ribera del Duero does some basic controls. The inspector weighs the amount of grape in each tractor and measures the alcohol level. Besides inspecting in the field the Regulatory Council also checks in the winery. Wineries possess a digital card, known as intelligent winemakers card in which the amount of grapes per hectare is specified in order to make sure that the grapes come from his vineyards and guarantee the rigorous control that certify that it’s a grape that comes from Ribera del Duero.

Grape Varieties

Wines from the denomination of origin of Ribera del Duero are fundamentally red even though there are also Rosés. In our Ribera del Duero Wine Tour you will learn that the most common grape variety is known generically as Tinta del Pais and in the world of wine as Tempranillo, and that it is more than 90% of production. According to the denomination of origin in order for a wine to be considered part of Ribera del Duero it has to contain at least 75% of Tempranillo. In total at least 95% of grapes must be Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec.  Garnacha and Albillo, the only white grape allowed, can be added in very small quantities. In order to ensure maximum quality of the grapes total harvest is limited to 7,000 kg per Hectare.

Production

Classes of wines produced in Ribera del Duero are: Rosé with 50% of red grapes authorized, they are fresh and fruity with an attractive acidity. Young wines without aging, with a deep color a wide range of fruity aromas and full of flavor. These wines have not been aged in oak barrels and if they have, for less than 12 months. Crianza wines have been aged for a minimum of 24 months, at least 12 months in an Oak barrel. They are velvety wines with potent structure, a perfect blend of fruit and wood. Reservas, are wines aged for at least 36 months with at least 12 months in oak barrels. Gran Reserva are wines that have been aged for 60 months with a minimum of 24 months in oak barrels. These last two wines are intense and elegant, with a very fine bouquet and attractive complexity that enjoy some of the most longevity in the world. Patience and wisdom, modernism and tradition are intertwined to achieve an unmistakable wine, discover them in our Ribera del Duero Wine Tour. The people of Ribera del Duero live an authentic passion for their wine and have been able to combine traditional work with the most advanced techniques to achieve an excellent quality that the denomination of origin Ribera del Duero demands from its more than 200 wineries and 600 brands.

Denomination of Origin

The seal from the denomination of origin of Ribera del Duero guarantees the quality of the wines from the Young to the Gran Reserva. Since its origin in 1982 the regulatory council vouches for the authenticity and quality of the wines under the denomination of origin Ribera del Duero. The back label on every bottle from Ribera del Duero constitutes a true certification of guarantee because it assures the buyer that the wine has exceeded the most rigorous controls before filling his glass. It contains a serial number and a security system called track seal Ribera del Duero that make it practically unforgeable which allows to control in a secure and reliable way the production and marketing of protected wines. Wines from Ribera del Duero are wines with heart that represent the pure essence of the land where they are born. Come with us and experience our Ribera del Duero Wine Tour in the heart of Duero.

Why Ribera del Duero Like A Native Wine Tours?

Our Ribera del Duero Wine Tours are specifically designed to blend you in like a local, not to stand out as a tourist.

Over generations, our guides have a very unique perspective of our region’s history and traditions. Learn from those who’ve lived it.

We have been exploring Ribera del Duero Wine Country all our lives. Go off the beaten trail and discover its secrets with those who know it best.

We have been building personal relationships with establishments in Ribera del Duero for generations. Let our guides introduce you!

Reviews of “Ribera del Duero Like a Native” Tour Services

“5 Stars” based on more than 275 reviews

Absolutely outstanding experience! “Rebeca arranged for a large comfortable mini bus to pick us up in Madrid and cart us around to our tours all week. Since the drive from Madrid to Logrono is about 4 hours, she suggested to do a Ribera del Duero Wine Tour for a couple of winery tours and tastings and a typical lunch of wood grilled lamb and shidedish. It was a great start to our week of tastings!” … Read more… REVIEWED BY NRMEDGMONT (EDGMONT, PENNSYLVANIA, US)

Great days in Rioja and Ribera del Duero “… We spent a wonderful day doing a Ribera del Duero Wine Tour. Lunch was a highlight of our two days of touring: we had Castilian lamb in another mediaeval village. The lamb was cooked in a traditional oven for hours and had to be pre-ordered, and it turned out to be fantastic! I would recommend that meal choice to anyone.   Rebeca is personable and very caring about those whom she hosts. They dropped us at the train station at the end of our second day to facilitate our travel to Madrid.  …” Read more… REVIEWED BY NORMD644 (CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA)

3 Amazing Trips – Rioja, Ribera, San Sebastian “… Rebeca organized all 3 trips below (plus some horse riding in Rioja for us).   We took the Ribera del Duero Wine Tour of half day with lunch – one modern and one old winery. We loved it, Rebeca is very friendly and knowledgeable and the wineries were really interesting and great wine to taste. At the old winery (in the underground caverns of Aranda) …” Read more… REVIEWED BY HEIDIW1600 (ESSEX, UK)

Two day private tour of Rioja and Ribera del Duero “… For Rioja, we visited traditional wineries as well as the modern and architecturally significant. We ended that day with one of the best wines and views ever. In Ribera del Duero we ended with the Penafiel castle and wine museum! She provided entertaining narrative during the drives and treated us to the best local food. I strongly recommend the private Rioja and Ribera del Duero Wine Tour through R. Like A Native …” Read more… REVIEWED BY CAGEY12 (ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO, US)

Rebeca from R. Like a Native is THE BEST! “… We spent two spectacular days with Rebeca of R. Like a Native! We love traveling to wine regions and learning about terroirs and varieties of wine through visits to smaller wineries, walks through the vineyards, and conversations with the winemakers. Rebeca gave us all we requested and much more. We visited six wineries, both in Ribera del Duero and Rioja…” Read more… REVIEWED BY DARCY415 (CINCINNATI, OHIO, US)

Fantastic tour of Ribera del Duero wine region! “… The staff of Ribera del Duero Like A Native is truly an excellent team. The organization and treatment is truly unique. The work that they put in to select the wineries that they take you to is outstanding. Not only that, the knowledge that they have about the Ribera del Duero and Rioja region is truly complete. I recommend all wine lovers to choose this team, not without first congratulating our guide who was amazing. …” Read more… REVIEWED BY JOSÉ G (SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO, US)