To celebrate the beginning of the Spanish wine harvest season we have chosen four stunning wine regions that you can visit when you are on the Camino or planning your next trip to Northern Spain. If you are about to embark on your Camino journey you are picking a great time of year as the vineyards on the Camino are alive with activity.
The end of August is a special time for vineyards throughout Galicia. Nothern Spain’s fields are buzzing with activity from the annual wine harvest. All along the most popular Camino routes you will find unique vineyards, giving you a true taste of the local flavours. Grapes from the Rioja region and the Rias Baixas are famous around the world so why not sample this delicious fruit when you are embarking on your trip. Here are four great wine regions to be found around the Camino de Santiago trails.
La Rioja on the French Way
Renowned for its wine industry La Rioja region in Northern Spain is bursting with full bodied Tempranillo grapes. This ancient Spanish wine dates back to the 13th century. Perfectly paired with cured meats and local Spanish tapas, this is a must try wine if you are walking the French Way. Along your walk you will be spending a night in the heart of the region, in the town of Logroño. Stop by any of the charming restaurants to sample a tipple of the Tempranillo grape. The ancient oak aging process of the wines is celebrated in this region. Some well known wines in the area include the Sierra Cantabria, Remirez de Ganuza, Muga, Finca Valpiedra and Señorio de San Vicente.
Be sure to stop by famous Bodegas Irache fountain where pilgrims can serve themselves a free glass of wine before continuing on the trail.
Vineyards in La Rioja region
- Bodegas Irache
- Marques de Murrieta
- Remirez de Ganuza
- Bodegas Franco Espanolas
- Bodegas Campo Viego
- Bodegas Vina Ijalba
Rias Baixas Wines on the Portuguese Coastal Way
Anyone who has walked the Camino in the past will be familiar with the famous Albariño white grape. On the Camino Portugues you will be passing through the town of Pontevedra where you will find some of the best wines in Galicia. Pontevedra is one of the main stops on the Camino Portugues with plenty of cobbled streets and tapas bars to explore. Having explored the town on my own Camino last year I can personally recommend stopping off Restaurante Eirado Da Lena seen in the picture above, the food has the wow factor.
Within the Rias Baixas region there are five sub-zones that all contribute to the distinct quality to the wine. The Albariño grape makes a crisp, refreshing, and fruity wine with a character all its own.
Some must try Albariño wines from the region include: Valminor, Gran Vinum, Quinta de Couselo, Paco and Lola and Maior de Mendoza. There are almost two hundred wineries in this region. From your stopping point in Pontevedra there are several vineyards you can visit within just a few miles. We have selected a few vineyards within reach of the Camino trails.
Vineyards in the Rias Baixes region
- Bodega Pazo de Arretén in Padron
- Pazo Baion near Caldas de Reis
- Viña Moraima S.Coop.Galega
- Bodegas Fortuna Wines, Redondela
Castilla y Leon Wines on the French Way
Walking the famous French Way (Camino Frances) from Leon to Ponferrada you will be passing through the area of Castilla y Leon. This region is rich is historic sites with over 300 castles and 400 museums. Like other regions in Northern Spain wine making in Castilla y León is an ancient old tradition which goes all the way back to the Romans. Along the way you will find vineyards dotted around old forts and medieval ruins.
Today the region has become one of the areas with the most varieties of wine, from crisp white grapes to full bodied reds.
Wine along the Camino del Norte
As you ramble along the Spanish coastline on the Northern Way you will have the chance to taste some of the delicious wines of the Basque country. Walking the peaceful farmland trails you will pass by fields full of Txakoli, the regions famous white grape. This old wine is a pale yellow or green colour. The wine itself is low in alcohol and often served as an aperitif. Some of the most common variations of Txakoli in the Basque region include: Txakoli from Getaria, Txakoli from Biscay, Txakoli from Alava and Chacolí from Cantabria. Each type of Txakoli will vary slightly in its acidity and color. Txakolina is light, refreshing and often served fizzy. You won’t find this variety of wine in many areas outside of the Basque region where is most popular. Enjoy sipping this fresh, white wine with some delicious fresh fish or pinxos in the Basque region.
Vineyards on the Camino del Norte
- Bodega Txakoli Aizpurua
- Txakoli Zudugarai
- Bodega Berroja
- Talai – Berri
- Bodega Crusoe Treasure
- Bodegas Marques de Riscal
We hope you enjoy sampling some of the best wines in Northern Spain on your next Camino journey. You will deserve a glass or two to celebrate your walk. For more information about the best wines and vineyards on the Camino de Santiago routes please contact one of our travel team.
