The best wine tourism in Spain: top experiences found in FINE Valladolid

For the 4th year it took place in Feria de Valladolid, the exhibition center of the wine capital of Spain, the most important wine tourism event in Europe: FINE and lucky me I attended it for the third time. Even in the pandemic, 2021 and 2022 took place with all the Covid measures.
The exhibition is divided in three parts: the exhibition itself with exhibitors from Spain and Portugal, the conferences Be FINE and the B2B area with an agenda of meetings between buyers and wineries.
This B2B area is very valuable to make sure to meet the right people in the contracting market.
The technical conferences with the moto “Let’s talk about wine tourism, not wine”. During two days several round tables and workshops discussed in which different marketing models and success stories developed by wineries and territories from different countries.
I discovered different proposals in several Spanish wine regions that I want to highlight, little jewels and stunning proposals:
– Parés Baltá: it is a family winery with a long tradition of winemaking with origins stretching back to 1790, just 30 km from the Mediterranean coast and Barcelona.
They grow their vines organically, certified since 2002, and biodynamic since 2012. They have several proposals to visit the winery which include wine and cava pairings, 4×4 tours, and many tailor-made proposals. You can read more about them here.

– Bodegas Fundador: located in the awesome city of Jerez. Since its foundation in 1730, Bodegas Fundador has become an epicenter of wine tourism interest in the region.
There you can admire the art of Brandy and Sherry winemaking. Inside the winery you will find iconic places such as “El Molino”, the oldest winery in the region and active since 1730, the garden of  “La Puerta de Rota”, considered an Asset of Cultural Interest, and the “Fundador Museum”.

– El Grifo in Lanzarote: since 1775, it is the third oldest winery in Spain. Located in Lanzarote and built on the volcanic layer from the eruption of 1730-36. The vineyard occupies an area covered by sand and volcanic lava, protected by dry stone walls called chaboco.
All the wine tasks are necessarily manual. They propose two visits, the «simple» one focused more in the history – called Travels through the time- and the one thought for wine lovers, more in-depth visit – called wine lovers-.
There is a new wine cluster of all the Canary islands which unifies all the wine tourism proposals of all the islands. When we think of Canary Islands we often tend to think of amazing beaches and weather, but besides this there are lots of culture, lovely villages and great wine tourism proposals like unique visits like in Bodega el Lomo where you can taste the Vinagre Macho, a kind of Modena vinegar or also try their vermouth.
Ancient wineries producing very particular wines as they have more than 84 own varieties and 24 unique DNA grapes producing over 7 million liters per year.
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– Sagardoa Route: is the strategic and tourist Agency of the Basque Country Cider House Association. Cider has been one of the most usual drinks in Basque farmhouses for centuries, they say that «with every sip of cider, we drink a piece of our history». Apart from being an essential beverage for the population, it was the daily beverage of sailors and fishermen, who used to go after cod and whale all over the North Atlantic.
At the end of the 20th century, the Basque cider cellars began to offer the txotx which consists of tasting cider from different barrels with a traditional cider menu.
They offer through their website the visit of each single cider house or you can also book a day trip from Donosti with transfer, lunch and everything organised.
– Costa Cálida: in the region of Murcia, besides having lovely weather and many natural sites, they have 3 wine routes: the Bullas, Jumilla and Yecla designated origin wine-producing areas, which are increasingly gaining in prestige around the world; to their wineries, where tradition is combined with new wine-making technology; and to their restaurants and accommodation, set in exceptional surroundings that are sure to delight.
– Canals Munné in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia offers since 1915 several unique proposals in their vineyards and cellar. They built their new cellar in 1990 and the visits take place there matching with lunch, chocolate or the grandfather corner.
There you can also find the biggest event space that holds up to 600 people where you can enjoy typical Catalan dishes such as escudella de pagès, escalivada, roast with escalivada and anchovies, assorted pâtés, Catalan salad, xatonada, cod fish, snails, etc.
– Córdoba Patrimonio Gastronómico: just born end of 2022 it is the brand that focuses on culinary innovation for tourism promotion in the region of Córdoba.
Cordovan cuisine is not only tradition but also and above all innovation: it is a cuisine that drinks from the essence of the different cultures. They have 7 appellation of origin and the DO Montilla based on the Pedro Ximénez grape, a white grape that represents more than 95% of the vine cultivation in the Montilla Moriles region. Hence the importance of this type of grape, which is used to make wines of different types such as Pedro Ximénez, white wines, amontillados, olorosos, and generous.
– Bodegas Fariña: built in Toro, against a backdrop of old vineyards, with an exterior construction inspired by traditional architecture, which contrasts with the modernised interior of a winery that, in itself, represents the balance between tradition and modernity, values that we have maintained throughout their history.
Find here their wine experiences.

El Primero is their youngest wine. The first wine of the harvest to go onto the market each year (a kind of Beaujolais nouveau). For 10 years, the winery commissioned the label of El Primero from an artist. In 2006, they decided to take a step forward, bringing together the worlds of wine and art, by organising a National Painting Contest, in which artists from all over Spain participate. . And they have a museum in the winery.
– DO Empordà: one of my favorite areas in Catalonia and including top wine experiences. To travel in l’Empordà is a journey through the land of Salvador Dalí and Josep Pla, with its Romanesque treasures, spectacular panoramic views, and outstanding contemporary cuisine led by the Roca brothers and Ferran Adrià, among others, representing the many professionals of Empordà and Girona restaurants and gastronomy.
This unique experience of the world of wine, wine culture and wine gastronomy with wine activities at the sea like enokayaking, or wine-fullness or nature walks.
I also suggest you read my article of two great wineries I visited recently.
– Perinet winery: located in Priorat, the top wine region in Catalonia. The developers of Perinet set about building terraces and finished planting vines by 2002. The vineyards are built on technologically advanced terraces, with a high density plantation.
Here you can find the different wine experiences Perinet offers.
Wine Tourism is an added experience when visiting a destination. Do not miss such sensorial and fabulous experiences.

See in this link all pics of Fine Valladolid 2023
Read here my proposals of the best enotourism destinations in Spain
Link here to read which premium products you can buy in Valladolid
Check all the top wine experiences in Catalonia in this link
Read here 10 top wine destinations in Spain and Portugal
Link here to read 2 great wine experiences in Ribera del Duero 
Check here my top 10 wine tourism hotels in Spain
Read here my full experience in Bodegas Arzuaga