6 Unmissable Wine Routes on The Camino
Are you a wine lover? Embark on a wine-tasting adventure along the Camino de Santiago with CaminoWays.com, the walking holiday specialist. Discover 6 Camino Wine Routes.
Autumn is the time for wine harvesting in Europe. The Camino de Santiago and the Via Francigena trails pass through key wine-producing regions in France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy.
September and October are perfect for visiting these wine regions to experience the harvest season’s tradition and culture.
Discover the Top 6 Camino Wine Routes for wine lovers.
1. Across La Rioja on the Camino Francés
As Spain’s most prestigious winemaking region, La Rioja is the most obvious choice for Camino Wine Routes lovers. The region is located on the famous Camino Francés. Its capital, Logroño, is home to a fantastic harvest festival called the Fiesta de la Vendimia at the end of September.
2. El Bierzo on the Camino Francés
Home to delicious Mencía red wines, El Bierzo is another fantastic destination for Camino Wine Routes lovers on the Camino Francés. Aside from its wine, the area also has a fascinating history. The Templars built a castle in the area’s capital, Ponferrada, to protect pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago. You can still explore ‘Castillo de los Templarios’ today.
3. Porto on the Portuguese Way
As the home of Port wine and the capital of the famous Douro region, which is known for producing high-quality wines, Porto is a wine lover’s paradise. On the Camino Portugués, it is also a UNESCO World Heritage-listed city, which makes it an ideal destination for experiencing wonderful Portuguese culture and architecture.
4. Albariño in the Rias Baixas – Portuguese Way
The Rías Baixas area is on the Camino Portugués and is home to fruity Albariño white wines. The Portuguese version of this wine, Albarinho or Vinho Verde, is also produced south of the River Minho in Northern Portugal. The best time to visit this region is in mid-September, when the harvest takes place, during which there is a fantastic harvest festival in the town of O Rosal.
5. Champagne on the Via Francigena
With the area home to one world’s most famous drinks, Champagne in Northern France is a fantastic destination to visit during harvest time. The region is located on the path of the Via Francigena, the Camino to Rome, and hosts a ‘cochelet’ festival at the end of harvest time. Massif de Saint Thierry, north of Reims, also hosts a traditional harvest festival at the end of October, which is well worth a visit.
6. Chianti in Tuscany and Val d’Orcia
Chianti on the Via Francigena is one of the best and most well-known Italian wine-producing regions, with a number of delicious wines from the area. Val d’Orcia is a fantastic wine region on the Via Francigena. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
If you love wine, you might be interested in our Camino food, too. Contact us if you would like to experience any of these wine-loving Camino routes.
