The month of October brings with it the vintage end and the beginning of winemaking in many wineries, both in Spain and outside our borders. It is, therefore, the perfect time to visit some wine regions and get to know their wines. And even better if we do in motorhome. Some of the wineries have spaces where you can spend the night, which becomes a unique opportunity to wake up among the vineyards and discover the products they make. Because, remember ... if you drink, don't drive! These are our proposals: 5 motorhome wine tourism routes.
Galicia, from the Rías Baixas to the Ribera Sacra
It's been a long time since Galicia has emerged in the world of wine, where it has 5 Denominations of Origin: Rías Baixas, Ribero, the Ribera Sacra, Valdeorras and Monterrei.
The best known grape varieties grown in these areas are, perhaps, the albariño and godello, which have made Galician white wines famous all over the world, although there are many more: loureiro, caiño, espadeiro, sousón, brancellao or mencía are some of them.
We propose 2 routes. The first of them, that of the Rías Baixas, a privileged region for the cultivation of the vine. On the way through the Pontevedra province You will find centenary pazos, protected historical complexes and vineyards that descend to the sea.
There are different areas for motorhomes in the different towns that make up the route but, if you prefer to sleep directly in a winery, the Pazo Pondal, in Arbo (Pontevedra) offers the possibility of spending the night in the vineyard itself and tasting its Albariño wines without having to drive.
The second wine tourism route in Galicia will take us through the Sacred River, whose Denomination of Origin dates from 1997 and has an area of more than 1.500 hectares dedicated to vineyards, divided into five sub-areas of cultivation: Chantada, Ribeira do Miño, Amandi, Ribeira do Sil and Quiroga Bibei.
The area is very curious to visit, since the distribution of the vineyard is done on terraces or terraces to save the slope of the terrain. This means that all the work has to be done by the vine growers' hands and backs, turning the grape harvest and other activities in the vineyard into an exercise in acrobatics. Seen like this, it is not surprising that it is known as "Heroic viticulture".
Port and Douro Wine Route
The valley through which the Duero River runs is listed as Heritage and in it one of the most famous wines of Portugal is produced: the Porto. But the Douro wines that, for years, have been gaining international fame, both their reds and whites and rosés.
Touring the Douro Valley by motorhome on its Portuguese side is a marvel, especially during the autumn months, thanks to a unique landscape.
The producing region is divided into three zones. To the west, in the Low Corgo, we find the capital of Port wine, the city of Peso da Régua, in which we can visit the Douro Museum and the Solar do Vinho do Porto. Then we have Pinion, which is located in the subregion of Corgo Summit, in which the most famous Port wines are concentrated. Near Peso da Régua it is interesting to visit the São Leonardo de Galafura viewpoint. And just as fascinating is the landscape that can be admired from the viewpoint of São Salvador do Mundo, in this case on the south bank and in the subregion of the Upper Douro.
Route through the Ribera del Duero
Continuing with the Douro River, but in the Spanish area, we propose a motorhome route to get to know the wineries and wines hosted by the Denomination of Origin Ribera del Duero, riding a Castilla y Leon.
Complex soils and a harsh climate result in extraordinary quality grapes and high-value wines. In this area we will find Reds, from young with a high fruit load and good palate, to elegant aging wines (Crianza, Reservas and Grandes Reservas), which stand out for their aromatic complexity and their power and balance on the palate. There's also pink, fruity and refreshing. And whiteFresh, fruity young wines with good acidity, which provide more complex aromas when aged in barrels and bottles.
You can walk the wine route that will take you to tour the provinces of Burgos, Segovia, Soria and Valladolid, where these wines are produced, visiting well-known wineries such as Matarromera, Tinto Pesquera or Emilio Moro, among many others.
Aranda de Duero is the 'Capital of the Ribera del Duero' and there you will find a motorhome area with all services. Some wineries in the area, such as Protos, Comenge or Abadía Retuerta allow overnight stays on their grounds, so the experience can be complete.
Jerez and Brandy Route
El Marco from Jerez It is the origin of a unique and millenary oenological tradition, and a perfect destination to live very different experiences. In this historic wine region we will also enjoy its landscapes, its white villages and a cultural heritage essential.
El Marco de Jerez is located in a privileged environment located in the geographical triangle made up of the towns of Sanlúcar de Barrameda, El Puerto de Santa María and Jerez de la Frontera. More than 7.000 hectares of vineyards that for centuries have been the cradle of Jerez wines and brandies, protected by the Denominations of Origin Jerez-Xérès-Sherry, Chamomile from Sanlúcar de Barrameda, and the Specific Denomination Brandy de Jerez.
The wines made in this area are slowly aged by means of traditional system of criaderas and soleras, a very special legacy that gives them great complexity and that has led them to achieve international fame.
Route through La Rioja
Lastly, we couldn't finish our recommendations for wine tourism in motorhome let alone The Rioja, where the wines that first made Spain famous outside our borders are produced. Autumn is also the best season to visit this region, due to the wonderful colors of its landscapes.
More than 2.000 years of history endorse the wines of this region, as witnessed by the numerous archaeological remains of presses and wineries dating from the time of Roman domination. This wine culture was maintained during the High Middle Ages sheltered by monasteries and, later, in the second half of the XNUMXth century, new methods of making and aging wines were introduced and now centenary wineries were founded.
In La Rioja you can travel three wine routes: that of the Rioja AlavesaThat of Rioja Alta and of Oriental Rioja, visiting towns such as Logroño, Cenicero, Briones, Haro, Labastida, Laguardia, Fuenmayor, Casalarreina or Arnedo, among others.
There are different motorhome areas spread throughout the region, including Logroño, Elciego or Labastida.
Having seen the routes, which of all these areas would you like to start with?