The Golden River from Madrid to Porto
Co-hosted with wine writer and Madrid based journalist Ian Mount.
Spain brings with it the beauty of the high altitude clarity of Old Castile, with its magnificent castles, mountains and squares and for savouring the wines of the Sierra de Gredos. Regional gastronomic specialities as well as some of the world’s best hams make this a food and wine lover’s heaven.
Crossing the border into northern Portugal is a throwback to days gone by, a world away from Algarve glitz and glamour in the south.
Porto is a gem of a city, the clusters of atmospheric streets either side of the Douro retaining their long lived maritime soul whilst opening the door to the 21st century through fabulous restaurants and luxury hotels.
The Douro is one of the greatest wine tourism destinations, the astonishing terraces overlooking the river now producing great red wines and ports.
Payments Policy
Each tour has a deposit of $750 per person which is payable at booking. The balance of payment is due 90 days prior to the start of the tour.
WeTravel Payments
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new booking system, powered by the WeTravel platform. Our primary goal is to enhance your booking experience, making it simpler and more convenient, especially when it comes to payment via credit card.WeTravel is a highly respected booking and payments platform for group travel businesses, trusted by over 5,000 companies worldwide. We couldn't be happier to partner with them, knowing that they provide instant payment acceptance, efficient booking management, and global fund transfers.
Booking your next adventure with us is now smoother than ever. Tours will continue to be listed on our website as before. When you click ‘book now’ on the tour page you will transition to the new WeTravel booking page for that tour where you can select the package and options that you wish to book.
We highly recommend creating an account during the signup process. This enables you to track the status of your bookings and make any necessary changes whenever you need to. Rest assured, WeTravel respects your privacy and won't inundate you with marketing emails.
Payment Methods Once you've completed the familiar booking form, you can proceed to make secure online payments, currently available in 2 different ways:
If you prefer alternative payment methods such as cheques or Wise wire transfer, we're happy to accommodate these arrangements on request.
Non USA Payments
Most of our tours are listed in US dollars but if you want to pay in your local currency by the bank debit method then it is as easy as selecting the flag of your country’s currency on the top right of the window when you are making payment. Alternatively, you can request our $US account details to make a wire transfer from outside the USA.
2nd Participant Payments
A booking will only show under the account of the person who made the booking, not the second participant. There are 2 options for payment in this case -
Timings
The payment timing will stay the same, with a deposit of $750 pp payable at booking and the balance payable by 90 days before the tour starts. You will receive an automated reminder 30 days before the balance is due.We believe this new system will streamline your booking experience. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected].
Cancellation Policy
If you wish to cancel your booking, you need to confirm the cancellation in writing by email or letter. If you contact Iberian Wine Tours prior to confirming your cancellation we can advise you of the cancellation charges applicable to your situation. The cancellation charge is based on the number of days prior to the starting day of the trip booked. The charges are per person cancelling, as follows:
90 days or more – loss of deposit
89-60 days or more – 25%
59-30 days – 50%
29 days or less – 100%
Refund Policy
From time to time, tours do not reach the minimum number of bookings necessary to make the trip viable. We reserve the right to cancel or alter a tour in these circumstances. If we cancel the tour or make substantial alterations, we will advise you at least 60 days before departure and will offer you alternative dates or a full refund.
3rd May (Sunday)
Meet in Madrid to stay one night at delightful and well located Palacio de Tepa hotel (provisional).
Evening tapas tour in the Las Letras district. D
4th May (Monday)
Set off for the remote and excellent Bernabeleva winery in the Gredos mountains where we enjoy a tasting of several different styles of wine, some direct form the cask, including red and white Garnacha, sweet Moscatel and a rancio style wine. On to Avila for short walk around the old town, followed by a tapas lunch in La Bodeguita, incorporating a tasting of the Sierra de Gredos/ Cebreros wines of the region, including delicate high altitude garnacha reds. We then drive on to Salamanca where we check in to the stylish and historic Palacio San Esteban for 2 nights, followed by a walk up to the Plaza Mayor, Spain’s most graceful square where enjoy a couple of tapas and a welcome drink B/L
5th May (Tuesday)
We head south to the ham capital of Spain and, the small town of Guijuelo, where we have a family tour of the finest jamon producers, Simon Martin, concluding of course with a Jamon tasting in the cellar. We then head further south to Spain’s newest DO in the Sierra de Francia mountains where we visit the excellent La Zorra winery. The Rufete varietal is star here and we will also taste their local vermouth. Lunch is next door at their beautifully located Mirasierra restaurant. After lunch we enjoy a walk through La Alberca, one of the beautiful mountain villages of the area before we head back to Salamanca, where the evening is free. B/L
6th May(Wednesday)
We set off for the Portuguese border and on the way meet the magnificently eccentric Charlotte Allen (Almaroja) for a visit to her winery and vineyards in Arribes, followed by a tasting of her excellent wines with some tapas.
After a scenic drive across the border, we take the train from Pocinho and after a stunning ride hugging the river through the Douro superior we alight at Quinta dos Malvedos, the flagship single quinta property that makes its own vintage port and is the premium wine going into Grahams vintage port. We enjoy a harvest truck ride up to the property for a casual lunch at the quinta overlooking the Douro. Port on the terrace overlooking the river is one of life’s great pleasures, this was where John Major took his summer holidays when Prime Minister. After lunch the harvest trucks take us down to the jetty for a rabelo cruise along the Douro to Pinhão through the dramatic landscapes of the Cima Corgo. The Douro is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world and home to over half of the world’s mountain vineyards. Check in for two nights to the Vintage House where the evening is free B/L
7th May(Thursday)
Morning visit to Quinta do Noval followed by a tasting. Stunning property, great history, ports and magical views. We see the legendary pre phyloxerra Nacional vineyard, home to the number 2 wine of the 20th century. We then travel by winding roads along to the marvellously situated Quinta do Crasto where we enjoy a visit, tasting and private lunch. Crasto makes fine wines and ports, enjoys a field vineyard with almost 50 distinct varietals and the most remarkable infinity swimming pool high on the hills overlooking the Douro. Eventually we make our way back to the Vintage House where there is time to tidy up before dinner. A very short drive takes to dinner at Quinta de la Rosa, nestled by the river and a fine producer of reds and whites as well as being home to one of the top restaurants in the Douro B/L/D
8th May (Friday)
We enjoy a morning visit and tasting at Quinta do Bomfim (Dow’s main Douro property), followed by lunch at DOC the best restaurant in the Douro, overlooking the river at Folgosa where we enjoy a tasting menu with a selection of Douro wines
After lunch we leave the Douro and head on to Porto for a two night stay in the 5 star Yeatman Hotel. Free evening. B/L
9th May (Saturday)
After breakfast we take a walk down the hill for a visit and tasting to the oldest shipper of all for a tasting. Kopke are renowned leaders in the aged colheitas which makes for a wonderful experience. Lunch and afternoon is free. Late afternoon visit to Taylor’s Port Lodge, before last night dinner in the Orangerie at the Yeatman at 1930. B/D
10th May (Sunday)
After breakfast, end of tour.