Spain’s Ribera del Duero
Updated: 28 minutes ago
Ribera del Duero, an almost perfect halfway point between Madrid and Bilbao, is a historic wine region that has only recently gained global recognition. Situated in the Castile and León region of Spain, it is at quite a high elevation (cue groans at the sight of snow), despite being part of the Duero River basin.
This unique climate makes it ideal for growing Tempranillo, the region’s most common grape, although winemakers also grow Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, and Garnacha Tinta.
Madrid to Bilbao Day Drive
After landing in Madrid and making your way through immigration, which follows the pace of the rest of the country, a.k.a. slow, you are going to want three things in this order: coffee, food, and wine. Fortunately, plenty of highway-side rest stops along the route satisfy the first two. And Bodegas Nabal provides a solution for the third.
Where We Tasted
Despite worrying about a chilly vineyard tour, Bodegas Nabal delivered a great experience and a cozy tasting room that marked the start of a great trip.
We chose the deluxe visit, which included the tour, four wine tastings, Iberian cured meats, and a little gift. We also picked up a new way to describe French vs. American oak: Are you more of a chic French woman smoking in a café or a fitness influencer in the U.S.?
Getting there: We rented a car with a driver who averaged around a B+ on both safety and environmental scores (shoutout Dad). Bodegas Nabal was ideal for us because it was on our route from Madrid Airport toward Bilbao. But if you want to explore Ribera del Duero further, there are many other excellent wineries in the region.
Know Before You Go
Plan your transportation. Ribera del Duero is spread out, so having a car makes winery hopping much easier. Just make sure someone is the designated driver.
Make winery reservations ahead of time. Ribera del Duero isn't a region where you want to show up and hope for the best, especially if you want a tour along with your tasting.
Dress for the weather, not your idea of Spain. The region’s high elevation can mean cooler temperatures than you might expect. Layers are your friend.
Give yourself time. Winery visits here are worth enjoying at the Spanish pace. Trying to cram too many into one day may defeat the purpose.
Brush up on one grape: Tempranillo. You’ll also hear it called Tinto Fino or Tinta del País in Ribera del Duero: same grape, different names.
