Tour description
Wine Lovers Tour of Spain & Portugal
If you want to discover more about the wine and culture of the Iberian peninsula, the Wine Lovers Tour of Spain & Portugal is perfect for you! Tour around both the prestigious and up-and-coming Spanish wine regions of Priorat, La Rioja, Penedes and Ribera del Duero before continuing your incredible journey into Portugal. Here the magnificent Douro Valley will astonish you with both its wines and scenery, before your tour’s completion in Porto, the birthplace of Port wine. This luxury private tour features hand selected hotels, an array of outstanding wineries and some of the best wines of Spain and Portugal. Enjoy your wine tour to the utmost as our chauffeur drives you from place to place, allowing you to relax and take in the landscape. Get to know the indigenous grapes of Spain & Portugal as you tour the finest wineries and take in excellent wine tastings. By the time you return home, you will be well-versed in Spanish & Portuguese wine!
DAY 1 PENEDES
On the first day of your Luxury Private Wine Tour in Spain & Portugal, our chauffeur will be waiting in Barcelona, to whisk you away to the beautiful Penedes Wine Region, famed as Cava Country. At Agusti Torello, a winery with over 125 years history of making fine wines and cavas; you will have a winery tour and tasting. Your wine adventure then continues with a tour of Pares Balta; owned by one family since 1790 and situated in the heart of the Penedes wine region. Their wine guide will take you on a private tour of the vineyards, which have been ecologically cultivated for more than 300 years. The grapes are all hand picked to ensure harvest at the ideal time for each vine, so it is no wonder their wines have been officially certified as biodynamic since 2004. Back at the cellar, the in-house oenologist will show you the entire wine making process and guide you through a tasting array of their wines. Additionally, the vineyard owners make their own olive oil, and they will gladly explain to you the process and properties of this “liquid gold” and will invite you for a tasting, accompanied by local sausages, bread and cheese.
Our chauffeur will then take you to your family-run hotel located in the heart of Priorat, an 18th century house with vineyard views and close to the many world-class wineries nearby. You will be dining this evening at your hotel where the Mediterranean cuisine is based on locally sourced quality products and simple authentic dishes; perfect when accompanied with excellent DOQ Priorat wine.
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transfers. Private guided tours of 2 Penedes wineries with wine tastings. Regional dinner with wine. Overnight in a boutique hotel in the Priorat wine region.
DAY 2 PRIORAT
Today you will enjoy private tours of two of the most prestigious Priorat wineries, a five minute walk from your hotel, as well as a short visit to a boutique winery where you will have lunch. Priorat is famous for its mineral-rich slate soil, (called licorella by the locals) and terraced vineyards. This combination creates extra warmth for the vines, and also allows excessive water to drain away from them. Costers de Siurana is a Priorat winery that was awarded one of Robert Parker’s highest ratings and he regards it as one of his favorites. The family has built their winery on an estate founded in 1270, a project which honours the spirit of ancient Carthusian oenologists. A family member will attend you, share with you the secrets of their world class wine and give you a tasting to close. Lunch is at a boutique winery and restaurant whose property has 12 hectares of vine. Preceding lunch, you will enjoy a short tour of the winery and see their unique cellar, located in the village’s former underground water deposit.
Next on the cards is Clos Mogador, a Priorat winery owned by Rene Barbier; one of the founders of the Priorat revolution. Priorat wines are generally highly concentrated and “normal” yields are incredibly small, but here they go even further – they press the grapes using an olive press, which means they extract only half of the amount of juice that a typical wine press would, making the wine 50% more concentrated! Your private guided tour includes a drive through their beautiful vineyards, a tour of the winery and a tasting of their best wines to finish. For dinner, you might wish to enjoy a meal at your hotel again or an informal bite with Priorat wines at one of the local haunts.
Tour in a nutshell: Private guided visits to 2 prestigious Priorat wineries. Regional lunch with wine and brief winery visit. Overnight Priorat wine region.
DAY 3 LA RIOJA
The Rioja wine region is the next destination of your Wine Lovers Tour of Spain & Portugal! Your historic boutique hotel is located in Laguardia, one of the most perfectly preserved medieval villages of Spain. Surrounded by a 2-metre high ancient wall, it has a delightful jumble of cobblestoned streets lined with ‘tabernas’ (pubs), shops and cafes. Beneath the village is a walkable tunnel complex; dug under the town to keep the inhabitants safe during battles, with openings that exited to the hillside in case they needed to escape. After the town was no longer needed for its strategic military position, it was noticed by the inhabitants that the climate in these tunnels was perfect for storing wine, and thus they are still in use today!
We suggest lunch in this lovely village prior to touring a special bodega, with impressive underground cellars. It is located under a medieval palace and your tour will include a sampling of their best wines. Afterwards, have a wander – take a tapa and a glass of wine here and there, if you feel so inclined, and enjoy having a little time to yourself. Alternatively, you might wish to dine Riojan style at your hotel this evening. Your hotel has two restaurants which offer authentic dishes made with regional products of exceptional quality, all overseen by a long family tradition in the world of catering. A lighter option for dinner will be to descend into the atmospheric magic of the Rioja wine region by dining in the hotel’s 16th century cellar.
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transfers. Private guided visit to a typical Laguardia cellar with sampling of their best wines. Overnight in an historic boutique hotel in La Rioja wine country.
DAY 4 LA RIOJA
The cradle of La Rioja wine awaits you with a guided tour of a famous and unique, family run winery. Proud of being old-fashioned, they still construct their own barrels on site and create their outstanding wines with traditional methods. For over a hundred and thirty years the family has been devoted to a scrupulous selection of grapes, as well as traditional methods of ageing in oak barrels – the result being wines of an exceptional bouquet. Special mention ought to be made of their white wines. Here they age their white wines in oak for as long as their reds; the result has to be tasted to understand! Your excellent winery tour includes seeing their facilities, finalised with a tasting of their main wines. Continuing, you will make a “contrast” tour of a nearby Bodega, founded some 20 years ago by a lovely Catalan couple. Well aware of the significant number of excellent traditional wineries in la Rioja, their objective was to create superb red wines in a modern style, which reflect the terroir of La Rioja wine region. The owners of the winery also produce high quality extra virgin olive oils, from olives grown in Catalonia and on the island of Mallorca; which you will be able to sample.
After this fantastic morning of sampling Rioja wines, our chauffeur will take you to a nearby scenic village, where you will enjoy a relaxing country fare lunch, accompanied by more local wines. Returning to your hotel, our chauffeur will detour at a couple of other prestigious wineries, where you will be able to taste further Rioja styles, to round off this wonderful Wine Lovers Tour day in Spain!
Tour in a nutshell: Guided visits to 2 prestigious wineries with sampling of their wines. Wine tastings at other prestigious wineries. Overnight in the Rioja wine region.
DAY 5 RIBERA DEL DUERO
This morning your Wine Lovers Tour of Spain & Portugal continues when our chauffeur transfers you to the Ribera del Duero wine region of Spain. Here you will check into a special winery and hotel set like a jewel among the string of exclusive wine estates found along the Duero river. If the heart of the estate is the winery, its soul is the ancient 12th-century abbey, a beloved and carefully restored Spanish cultural heritage site. The hotel that has now emerged from within the cloistered Romanesque-Baroque abbey walls is a refined 5-star setting where guests will enjoy the privacy of the privileged, the lap of luxury and the heart of history. Take some time to settle into this wonderful hotel where as part of your Wine Lovers Tour of Spain & Portugal, you will later have a full private tour of their lovely winery. Located in the heart of Ribera del Duero’s Golden Mile, this winery owns more than 200 hectares of vineyard and is one of Spain’s most cutting-edge wineries. After your unforgettable visit, you will have the pleasure of enjoying a full wine tasting in their cellar.
The rest of your day is free to explore your luxury hotel, the monastery and surrounding grounds. The exquisite hotel spa is a true gem, worth spending a whole afternoon. Should you wish, a reservation can be made for you in the hotel’s superb restaurant for this evening.
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transfer. Private guided tour of your hotel’s prestigious winery with sampling of their wines. Overnight in a 5* winery hotel in the Ribera del Duero wine region.
DAY 6 DOURO VALLEY
Your private Wine Lovers Tour of Spain & Portugal continues into Portugal, with our chauffeur transferring you to the beautiful Douro Valley. The Douro Valley wine region is considered one the most spectacular wine regions of the world; its characteristic terraced vineyards covering sloping hills which meet the meandering river below. On arrival, our chauffeur will take you to an astounding, very special and world famous Douro Valley winery, Quinta do Popa. Sitting in a privileged location in the Douro Demarcated Region, this Quinta is famous for its sophisticated wines as well as for its dramatic views. This single vineyard property dates as far back as the early seventeenth century, long before the Douro became the world’s first demarcated wine region in 1756. Recently they began a new venture with one of our favorite wineries of the Bordeaux region, Chateau Lynch Bages. At the winery you will have a private tour of the vineyards (with mind blowing views of the River Douro) and cellars, followed by a tasting of their incredible wines and ports with an exceptional lunch in an incredibly scenic setting.
Our chauffeur will then take you to your hotel, a charming 5-star property dating back to the XVIII century when it was an old Port winery, with a privileged location in the heart of the Douro valley and overlooking the Douro River. Later, you may wish to walk out and explore the small town of Pinhao, spectacularly located at the confluence of the Douro and Pinhao rivers, and the epicenter of the Port winemaking area and a place where the soil and climatic conditions are considered to be at their very best.
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transfers. Private Douro Valley winery visit with wine tasting and a gourmet 3-course lunch. Overnight in a 5* riverside hotel in the Douro Valley wine region.
DAY 7 DOURO VALLEY
A second prestigious Douro Valley winery welcomes you today, Quinta de la Rosa, which was one of the first quintas in the Douro to make table wine from indigenous grape varieties. On your winery tour you will hear how the family started the winery well over 100 years ago and learn of their wine and port making process, from the vineyard to bottling, and be able to see both wine and port making processes side by side. Your visit here will conclude with a tasting of 3 of their DOC wines and 3 Ports. Lunch will be a regional fare 3 course meal, accompanied with wines/ports; served on the terrace overlooking the river.
After lunch you will return to Pinhao and enjoy the afternoon with a small group Rabelo boat cruise along the Douro River. On your 2 hour cruise along the river, witness the beauty of the area, with winery terraces running down the hillsides, and imagine how Port wine was once carried down the river from Douro to the lodges in Porto. Optionally we can arrange for you to have a privately skippered cruise. Sip white port whilst taking in the views of the vineyards and colonial style quintas. For dinner tonight, why not treat yourself to a luxury meal on the terrace of the incredible Rui Paula DOC restaurant, overlooking the grandeur of the vineyard covered mountains and the serenity of the Douro river and the riverside villages? We would be happy to make a reservation for you at Rui Paula, and regarding transportation: your hotel could call you a taxi to go as would the restaurant for your return.
Tour in a nutshell: Guided winery tour with wine tasting followed by a delicious lunch with wines. Rabelo boat cruise on the Douro River. Overnight Douro Valley.
DAY 8 PORTO
Before you leave the Douro Valley behind today, your Wine Lovers Tour of Spain & Portugal takes you on a private tour of a fantastic family run winery. A relatively young Portuguese winery, with it’s first harvest taking place in 2007, the estate now occupies 30 hectares of land, 14 of which are vineyards. Both sophisticated techniques and traditional methods are used and despite the short number of years that it has been active; this young estate has now established itself as a quality winemaker! Red, white and Rose wines are produced with love and precision and some innovative and special edition products will delight your senses. After a complete private tour you will enjoy a tasting of their premium wines.
Our private chauffeur will then transfer you to Porto where, on arrival, you will have a panoramic tour of the city before heading to your luxury 5* spa hotel. Your hotel is owned by a family who entered the Port trade in 1838, and were among the most distinguished and enterprising of the Port families. Their descendants maintain this tradition as owners of three of the most famous Port companies. Your luxury hotel is named in celebration of the family’s historic link with the city, and it draws on its owners’ expertise in both fine wine production and luxury hotel management to become one of the world’s leading wine hotels. Relax into your new surroundings and take advantage of the panoramic outdoor and indoor swimming pools, gymnasium and fantastic well-being area of the Hotel Spa. We have many suggestions for a perfect late afternoon foray into the historical center of Porto for a bit of local culture and a fantastic dinner.
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transfers. Prestigious Douro Valley private winery visit with tastings. Overnight in a luxury 5* spa hotel in Porto.
DAY 9 PORTO
Today you are booked for a guided visit to a fantastic Port Wine Lodge which is one of the oldest of the founding Port houses and was established over three centuries ago in 1692. For many, it is the archetypal Port house and its wines the quintessential Ports. It is dedicated entirely to the production of Port wine and in particular to its finest styles. The history of the firm is in many ways the history of the Port trade itself. Since its foundation the company has remained independent. Now, well into its fourth century, it has thrived and prospered, establishing itself as one of the world’s most respected wine houses. This has been achieved through the perseverance, pioneering spirit and continuity of purpose of successive generations of family involvement. You will enjoy a private guided tour of the Port Wine Lodge concluding with a delightful tasting of some of their best ports.
You will then head to the Gaia riverfront, the meeting point for traders and fishermen since medieval times; it was here they crossed the river to sell the products from the Upper Douro. Your second visit of the day will be to another Port Wine Lodge that combines tradition and modernity. The building dates back to the 18th century and was restored in 1881 with the expansion of the Port wine trade. After your winery tour, you will discover some of their delicious Ports followed by a delicious lunch accompanied by river views overlooking Porto. After lunch, why not take a stroll over the Dom Luis Bridge, an unmistakable icon of Porto, to the Ribeira district or to discover more of the old town? We have many suggestions for further sightseeing for this afternoon in your Wine Lovers Tour of Spain & Portugal personal travel journal.
Tour in a nutshell: Tours & tastings at 2 prestigious Port wine lodges. Lunch with wines. Overnight Porto.
DAY 10 DEPARTURE
This morning is the final step in your Wine Lovers Tour of Spain & Portugal. After checking out of your hotel, our chauffeur will be waiting to take you to Porto airport for your onward flight.
We do hope you will join us for this deliciously interesting private wine tour of Spain & Portugal!
Tour in a nutshell: Chauffeured transfer to Porto airport.
Tour quotation
Wine Lovers Tour of Spain & Portugal Details
We are excited that you are considering joining us on one of our fabulous custom-built tours of Spain, Portugal, SW France and/or Italy! Please fill in the form below and we will happily provide you with a non-committal initial quote for the sample tour itinerary chosen.
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Tour in a Nutshell
Best Spanish wine regions: Penedes, Priorat, La Rioja, Ribera del Duero
Leading wineries and wine lodges of Portugal: Douro Valley & Porto
Top wineries with exclusive tastings & regional food
Chauffeured transport in style with beautiful scenery
10 days/9 nights, with boutique hand-picked hotels
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