Discover Spain’s Hidden Gems: The Best Vineyards and Wineries

Beyond the plateau of white villages in the south of Catalonia, the land falls away into a spectacular valley of green terraced vineyards. This is Celler Scala Dei, one of the most famous wine cellars in the Priorat region, and its wines are among the finest in Spain. In the 12th century, Carthusian monks planted the first vines here, and the main building of the cellar is a monumental Baroque structure. The cellar offers a fascinating tour of the winemaking process, from grape to bottle, and a tasting of its acclaimed wines. The surrounding landscape is breathtaking, with steep hillsides covered in neatly tended vines, and the distant Montsant mountains providing a dramatic backdrop. A visit here is a feast for the senses, and the wines are as rich and complex as the scenery. Just 20 minutes outside Logroño in La Rioja, the Bodegas Campo Viejo is an architectural masterpiece, designed by the famous architect Ignacio Quemada Sáenz-Badillos. The cellar is built into the hillside, blending seamlessly with the landscape, and its innovative design allows for the natural flow of the winemaking process. The guided tour takes visitors through the underground cellars, where thousands of barrels of wine are aging, and ends with a tasting of the winery’s premium wines. Campo Viejo is known for its bold and fruity Riojas, and the tasting includes a selection of their best vintages. The tour also includes a visit to the vineyard, where visitors can learn about the different grape varieties and the viticultural practices that make Campo Viejo wines so special. The Bodegas Emilio Moro in the heart of the Ribera del Duero region is another must-visit for wine lovers. This family-run winery has been producing wine for over 60 years, and its wines are among the most highly regarded in Spain. The tour begins with a walk through the vineyard, where visitors can see the century-old vines that produce the winery’s most famous wine, the Malleolus de Sanchomartin. The tour continues in the cellars, where visitors can see the traditional winemaking methods that have been passed down through generations. The highlight of the tour is the tasting, where visitors can sample the winery’s full range of wines, from the young and fruity Finca Resalso to the complex and full-bodied Emilio Moro Gran Reserva. The Bodegas Torres in the Penedès region of Catalonia is one of the most famous wineries in Spain. The Torres family has been making wine for over 150 years, and their wines are enjoyed all over the world. The winery offers a variety of tours, from a basic tour that includes a visit to the vineyard and a tasting of three wines, to a more in-depth tour that includes a visit to the cellars and a tasting of the winery’s top wines. The winery is also home to a wine museum, where visitors can learn about the history of the Torres family and the winemaking process. The highlight of the tour is the tasting, where visitors can sample the winery’s best wines, including the iconic Mas La Plana, a full-bodied red wine that has won numerous international awards. In the Rías Baixas region of Galicia, the Bodegas Martín Códax is one of the most important wineries. The winery is named after a famous Galician troubadour, and its wines are among the best examples of the region’s signature grape, the Albariño. The tour includes a visit to the vineyard, where visitors can learn about the unique characteristics of the Albariño grape and the winemaking process. The highlight of the tour is the tasting, where visitors can sample the winery’s award-winning Albariños, including the Martín Códax Albariño, a crisp and refreshing white wine that pairs perfectly with the region’s seafood dishes. The winery also offers a variety of wine-related experiences, including a wine and cheese pairing and a wine and tapas tasting.