5 Amazing Wine Experiences To Enjoy In Spain

Sunset over the vineyard

Get to know Spain via some of its most famous tipples! From visiting a festival dedicated to wine, to learning about Rioja, and even cycling through some of the most beautiful vineyards in the country, here are some of the ultimate wine experiences in Spain.

Romantic Riojas, crisp Cavas and sweet Sherries, Spain has a variety of high-quality, internationally exported wines. But why limit these experiences to your home? How about planning a holiday to explore the regions where they’re produced? It makes for a very special experience.

I’ve enjoyed a few wonderful of wine experiences around the world, including a Malbec tour of Argentina’s Uco Valley with spectacular views of the snow-capped Andes, sampling the best reds and whites in California’s Sonoma Valley, and even stopping off in one of the world’s most famous wine regions, Chateau Neuf Du Pape, to sample a few local wines.

Salentein Winery, Uco Valley
Salentein Winery, Uco Valley
Picking out my favourite wine in Lapostolle's wine cellar (Photo @BackpackerMacca)
Picking out my favourite wine in Lapostolle’s wine cellar (Photo @BackpackerMacca)

As you’ll know if you follow my blog and my travels, Spain is one of my absolute fave countries. I adore the scenery, the cities, the people, the food and the general vibe! No wonder it’s a country I return to over and over again.

I’d love to explore more of its wine scene though. I’ve visited a few wineries including a stunning spot close to Ronda which I wrote about in this post, but I dream of returning on a wine-themed trip! How wonderful would that be?

So from Rioja to Jerez, San Sebastian to Catalonia, it’s time to find out about Spain’s top wine experiences. I think you’ll want to plan a trip too after learning about these adventures!

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Sonoma Valley Wine Tour, California

Larson Family Winery, Sonoma Valley, California

Considering booking a Sonoma Valley wine tour? Find out what to expect on the day, what to take and all about the wineries in this detailed guide.

Wine tasting is a must-do when visiting California. I headed out to the Sonoma Valley to check out some of the stunning wineries and of course, sample a few top wines!

After 2 weeks of fast-paced travel from LA to San Francisco via Yosemite National Park, I was ready for to slow things down with a relaxed day in the countryside. I booked a wine tour of the Sonoma Valley with Green Dream Tours. I picked Sonoma over Napa as many I spoke to said it was less touristy and just as good!

Sonoma County is around an hour from San Francisco and the region is home to more than 900 wineries. A trip here is rated as one of the best things to do in California. It boasts spectacular scenery with olive trees, fruit tree and sweeping hills lined with vines, all set against a bright blue summer sky. If the drive there was anything to go by, we were in for a treat!

Wine tasting at Nicholson Ranch, Sonoma Valley, California
Wine tasting at Nicholson Ranch, Sonoma Valley, California

Tour guide Mark was enthusiastic and full of jokes as we left the big city behind. After a brief stop for photos at the Golden Gate Bridge, we headed towards Sonoma.

Stopping for a pic at the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Stopping for a pic at the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

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Uco Valley Wine Tour, Mendoza, Argentina

Salentein Winery, Uco Valley

With beautiful wineries, vineyards and top restaurants, find out whether going on an Uco Valley wine tour is the best way to explore this region near Mendoza, Argentina.

It was just after 9am, and all I could think about was wine. It may sound like I’m bordering on alcoholism but no, I was in Mendoza, Argentina – an area known specifically for its production of Malbec. Today, I’d be learning about wine, exploring a few vineyards and hopefully tasting a whole load too.

In the safe hands of Kahuak (one of Mendoza’s top tourism agencies) and with bubbly tour guide Anna Laura leading the way, we headed out of the city to the Uco Valley. The tour would take us towards the snow-capped Andes to visit three of the Uco Valley’s top wineries – Salentein, Domaine Bousquet and Andeluna.

Beautiful views on the journey to the Uco Valley
Beautiful views on the journey to the Uco Valley

The valley lies around 150km south of Mendoza. It’s a lush region

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Best Places To Go Wine Tasting In The Colchagua Valley: Lapostolle

Picking grapes at Lapostolle

Architecture and wine – a marriage made in heaven at Lapostolle in the Colchagua Valley.

After our adventurous journey to Viña Montes (which, if you haven’t read about it already, involved walking along the hard shoulder and hitchhiking!) we decided our trip to Lapostolle should be a more civilised affair.

We picked out our best outfits and hopped on board a private minibus from Santa Cruz’s central plaza, to Apalta – a land of lush vineyards. After meeting Lapostolle’s charming PR Manager Diego, we were taken on a private tour of the gardens, vineyards, stunning boutique hotel and of course, the winery itself. I’d heard this was one of the best places to go wine tasting in the Colchagua Valley… I hoped it was true!

View of Lapostolle Colchagua Valley, Chile from the vineyards
View of Lapostolle, Colchagua Valley, Chile from the vineyards

Picking grapes at Lapostolle
Picking grapes at Lapostolle

Grapes on the vines at Lapostolle, Colchagua Valley, Chile
Grapes on the vines at Lapostolle, Colchagua Valley, Chile

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