From Castile to La Rioja: a journey through the heart of Spanish wine

Madrid · Segovia · Rueda · Ribera del Duero · Rioja ·

11 days · Small group

Most people visit Spain for the cities. The ones who come back do it for the wine country. This trip gives you both. Eleven Winery and Borravino Wine Tours have teamed up again — after an unforgettable journey through South America in 2025 — to bring you an 11-day deep dive into three of Spain's greatest wine regions: Rueda, Ribera del Duero, and Rioja. Each shaped by a different landscape, a different grape, a different way of doing things. You'll stop in UNESCO heritage cities, sleep in centuries-old castles, and sit down to lunches that go on longer than planned. You don't need to be a wine expert to love this trip. You just need to be curious, enjoy good food, and appreciate the kind of travel that slows down enough to let a place actually sink in. Wine has a way of doing that. It connects you to the land, to the people who made it, and to the table in front of you. By the end of eleven days, you won't just know more about Spanish wine — you'll have lived a little of the story behind it. That's the point.

Where you'll sleep

The whole trip is built around Spain's famous Paradores — a network of hotels housed inside real castles, monasteries, palaces, and convents. These aren't theme hotels. They're the actual buildings, restored and brought back to life, and staying in them is an experience in itself.

You'll wake up inside a medieval castle in Castile and León, and fall asleep in a historic convent in the heart of Rioja. It's one of those things you really have to experience to understand.

The wine regions

• Rueda — fresh, aromatic white wines from the high plains of Castile. The Verdejo grape at its finest.

• Ribera del Duero — powerful, elegant reds grown in the shadow of ancient castles. Tempranillo at its most serious.

• Rioja — Spain's most iconic wine region. A mix of traditional bodegas, spectacular architecture, and medieval villages that feel untouched by time.

What you'll do

• Day 1 — Arrive in Madrid, check into your Parador, and kick off the trip with a flamenco show

• Day 2 — Private walking tour of Madrid with a local guide, followed by a traditional lunch

• Day 3 — Visit Segovia — Roman aqueduct, Alcázar castle, and one of the best lunches of your life — then on to Tordesillas

• Day 4 — Full day in Rueda: winery visits and lunch among the Verdejo vines

• Day 5 — Ribera del Duero: Peñafiel Castle, winery visits, and lunch by the Duero River

• Day 6 — Tour Burgos Cathedral, then head into Rioja

• Day 7 — Haro, the wine capital of Rioja Alta — historic cellars, great wine, a relaxed evening in town

• Day 8 — Elciego: a winery designed by Frank Gehry, a boutique estate, and lunch in Rioja Alavesa

• Day 9 — Laguardia: a winery by Santiago Calatrava, the medieval village on foot, and more wine

• Day 10 — Drive back to Madrid, lunch on the way, and end with a Paella & Sangría cooking class

• Day 11 — Early transfer to the airport. Safe travels — and cheers to a great trip

Everything included

• Private transfers in comfortable vehicles the whole trip

• All winery visits and tastings across three wine regions

• Nights in iconic Paradores — castles, monasteries, and historic palaces

• All lunches mentioned in the programme

• Private local guides in Madrid, Segovia, and Burgos

• Flamenco show and cooking class in Madrid

• A small group — maximum 18 people — so everything stays personal

No stress, no logistics, no surprises. From the moment you land to the moment you leave, everything is handled. You focus on the wine, the food, and the people.

Who's behind this trip

My name is Claudio Damian, from Borravino Wine Tours, and I've been running wine tours in South America for over a decade, and I now split my time between Argentina and Spain. I hold a WSET Level 2 certification, I have deep relationships with producers across Ribera del Duero and Rioja, and I've personally designed every detail of this itinerary.

More than 250 five-star reviews. A 98% recommendation rate. But honestly, the best thing I can tell you is that most of our guests end up coming back — or sending their friends.

If this sounds like your kind of trip, get in touch. I respond to every message personally.

See you in Spain,

Claudio Damián Piñon

Arrival and rest at the hotel.

Airport pickup and private transfer to your hotel, with time to rest and recover from jet lag ahead of the coming days.

Flamenco show and dinner!

Enjoy a traditional walking tour in Madrid, exploring the city’s classic neighborhoods and main landmarks at a relaxed pace.

Lunch at a traditional restaurant to experience local flavors and culture.

After a scenic drive, arrive in Segovia, a city steeped in history.

Marvel at the ancient Roman aqueduct, wander the halls of the fairy-tale Alcázar castle, and visit the awe-inspiring cathedral.

Enjoy lunch in Segovia city, savoring local cuisine. Afterward, you’ll have free time to discover Segovia’s charming streets and culinary delights

Full day in Rueda: winery visits and lunch among the Verdejo vines

Journey into the heart of Ribera del Duero, arriving in Peñafiel.

Visit architecturally stunning wineries and explore the iconic Peñafiel Castle, home to Spain’s best wine museum.

Enjoy private tastings of celebrated Tempranillos and learn about the region’s winemaking heritage from local experts.

En route to Rioja, stop in Burgos to visit its magnificent Gothic cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy lunch in Burgos, sampling regional cuisine.

Continue to La Rioja province.

Settle into your boutique hotel and explore ancient cellars where tradition and innovation meet.

Spend the day visiting renowned wineries in Haro, each offering unique tastings and insights into Rioja’s winemaking tradition.

Lunch is included at one of the wineries, where you’ll enjoy regional cuisine paired with exceptional wines.

In the evening, enjoy free leisure time.

A short drive brings you to the heart of Rioja Alavesa. Visit the world’s #1 winery (2024) and the striking Frank Gehry-designed hotel, a masterpiece of contemporary architecture. Stroll through charming villages and soak in the region’s vibrant wine culture.

Explore the picturesque medieval village of Laguardia, perched atop a hill and known for its cobbled streets, underground cellars, and rich wine heritage.

Enjoy exclusive tastings and discover how tradition and innovation blend in this unique corner of Rioja.

Return to Madrid and, after checking in at the hotel, enjoy a Paella and Sangría workshop, where you’ll learn how to prepare both in a hands-on cooking class.

Early morning transfer to Barajas Airport, for your flight back home