Vinous Vacations

In which we explore five Spanish holiday destinations that are perfect for wine lovers.

No doubt our more organised readers will have already booked their summer holidays, and maybe even have the suitcase planned. But if, like me, you haven’t quite signed on the dotted line with your local travel agent and are in search of inspiration for this year’s holiday destination, I thought it might be fun to see how wine lovers could combine their passion for the grape with a summer escape here in Spain.

So here are five suggestions for mixing a little bit of wine in with your sun, sea, and sand.

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Logroño, Rioja

As the capital of La Rioja, Logroño is at the heart of Spain’s most internationally recognised wine region.

I know, I know – it’s almost a cliché to begin a list like this with Rioja. But with more than 60,000 hectares of vineyards across the wider Rioja DOCa and hundreds of active wineries, there are few parts of Spain that can rival Rioja’s wine credentials. And its capital, Logroño, is the perfect base for exploring it. Many producers have tasting rooms within a short drive of the city, and several, like Bodegas Franco-Españolas, are walkable from the centre.

The bustling Calle Laurel in Logroño. Photo by ivotheeditors

With vine-covered hills dotted with medieval villages and monasteries, the surrounding landscape is gentle and open, making it ideal for relaxed road trips or bike tours. And for those who like to combine wine with hiking, Logroño sits on the Camino de Santiago, with well-marked trails heading west across the vines.

But Logroño itself is far more than just a hub for day trips. The city has a laid-back, lived-in feel, with leafy boulevards, well-kept parks, and a famously lively tapas scene. After a long day visiting vineyards in the surrounding region, grab a wash and a change at your hotel, then head down to Calle Laurel in the city centre. Lined with tiny bars and wine lists packed with local reds, this bustling street offers a compact and delicious way to experience the region without leaving town.

Lanzarote, Canary Islands

Lanzarote might not be one of the first place that springs to mind when you think of Spanish wine. But if you read one of my earlier articles on island wines, you’ll know that it probably should be. The island’s 2,000 hectares of vineyards produce some of Spain’s most distinctive wines, and the setting is unlike anywhere else.

Low, semicircular stone walls protect vines on the island of Lanzarote. Photo by Dr Juergen Bochynek

Lanzarote’s lunar landscapes is a surreal mix of black volcanic ash and emerald vines, which combine to form one of the region’s most distinctive features – vines sheltered in small hand-dug hollows. These small wells, most commonly seen in the region of La Geria, are a remarkable example of winemaking adapted to a tough environment. The majority of its vineyards are adapting to tourism too. Wineries like El Grifo and La Geria are great examples and welcome visitors for tastings of crisp, mineral-rich Malvasía wines.

And if you want more than just a glass of white, you can enjoy coastal walks, surf sessions, the volcanic beauty of Timanfaya National Park, or take in the distinctive works of local artist and architect César Manrique. With year-round sunshine and direct flights from most European cities, it’s a great place for a wine holiday and much, more besides.

Jerez de la Frontera, Andalusia

Jerez de la Frontera lies in the heart of the Sherry Triangle deep in dusty Andalusia. Home to over 7,000 hectares of vineyards, this area makes up the bulk of Spain’s fortified wine production, delivering tens of millions of litres of sherry each year, ranging from bone-dry Fino to rich Pedro Ximénez.

The González Byass winery in Jerez de la Frontera. Photo by CaptureLight

The area is often overlooked by mainstream tourism, which is a shame, but it means you can enjoy a trip here without being overwhelmed by coachloads of visitors. And despite its size, Jerez’s wine scene is very accessible. Major producers like González Byass, Bodegas Lustau, and Bodegas Tradición offer tours and tastings in the centre of town, where visitors can sample the full spectrum of sherry styles.

Jerez also offers plenty to do beyond the cellar door. The city has an elegant, sun-bleached old town, a well-preserved Alcázar, and a deep-rooted flamenco and equestrian culture. It’s also within easy reach of the Atlantic coast - beaches at El Puerto de Santa María and Sanlúcar de Barrameda are less than 30 minutes away.

If you’re after a holiday that combines city culture and unique wines, Jerez delivers. Just be warned, in the summer months temperatures soar, and the heat is baking. So, this particular option might be best left for spring and autumn, when the climate is a bit more suited to a slow city stroll after a long and leisurely lunch. I can feel a siesta coming on!

Rías Baixas, Galicia

At the opposite end of the country, you’ll find Galicia’s Rías Baixas region. With over 4,000 hectares of vineyards and hundreds of small, often family-run producers, this area is home to the Albariño grape, famed for producing crisp, aromatic white wines that pair perfectly with the local seafood.

The coastal town of Cambados in the Rías Baixas region of Galicia. Photo by Wirestock.

At the heart of the Rias Baixas sits Cambados, a small coastal town with a big wine reputation. This quiet and unassuming destination is a haven of granite streets and baroque churches, and offers easy access to beautiful coves and beaches. But in the heat of the summer, this sleepy little settlement springs to life for the annual Albariño Festival, a celebration of the grape that has put Camabados firmly on the map. With tasting stalls, live music, and as much polbo á feira (octopus with potatoes and paprika) as your heart desires, this little festival is a wine-lover’s paradise.

Rías Baixas is Atlantic territory and many vineyards have views over the sea. In fact, some even claim that you can taste a hint of the ocean in the white wines produced in these parts. The scientific evidence on that is hard to come by, but it shouldn’t put you off doing some personal research! Luckily enough, plenty of wineries are on hand to help with a variety of tastings and vineyard tours. Pazo de Señorans and Martín Códax, are two of the best-known. But hunt around and there’s a good chance you’ll find a hand-written sign on a country lamppost offering nearby tastings for the thirsty traveller.

The Rías Baixas region is also great for slow travel: think forest hikes, boat rides to the Cíes Islands, and scenic drives along the coast. If you're looking for a wine destination that’s cool, green, and low on crowds, look no further.

Penedès, Catalonia

Just 45 minutes from Barcelona, Penedès is the spiritual home of Cava, Spain’s answer to Champagne (although producers in other parts of Spain, like Rioja, Valencia, Extremadura, and Navarra, are also authorised to use the "DO Cava" label). With more than 25,000 hectares of vineyards and a huge export market, it’s one of the country’s most productive and commercially important wine areas.

The stunning countryside of Penedès. Photo by David Marfil

The town of Sant Sadurní d’Anoia is the epicentre of the Cava industry, where household names like Freixenet and Codorníu have spectacular wineries that offer guided tours, museum-style exhibits, and even a train ride through vast underground ageing tunnels. Or for a more intimate experience, why not try Recaredo, a family vineyard that’s been making Cava since 1924 and a great place to discover if you’re a fan of organic and biodynamic wines.

The region itself is classic Catalan countryside: rolling hills, sun-drenched villages, and views of the jagged peaks of Montserrat in the distance. It’s ideal for short escapes or day trips from Barcelona. And if you’re something of a walker, you could even try the Camí del Vi (Wine Route), in Vilafranca del Penedés. This 3.5 km route features eight stops explaining how the town is linked to winemaking and offers an educational way to experience the beautiful Penedés landscape.

So there you have it, a few suggestions for those in search of a wine-related holiday. From the dramatic coastline of Galicia to the sunny charm of Andalusia and the stark beauty of Lanzarote’s lava fields, these destinations are a great way to visit some stunning Spanish landscapes and sample some outstanding Spanish wines along the way. Just don’t forget to pack your corkscrew.

Cheers!