The Best Wine Tours in Spain: Rioja, Sherry, Cava & More
The best wine tours in Spain: Rioja from Bilbao, Jerez sherry from Seville, Penedès cava from Barcelona, Ribera del Duero, Málaga and Ronda, and how to book.
The short version: Spain’s best wine tours are in Rioja (Tempranillo and historic bodegas, a day from Bilbao or San Sebastián), Jerez (sherry bodegas, an hour from Seville), the Penedès (cava and Montserrat from Barcelona) and Ribera del Duero. In the south, Málaga’s sweet wines and the vineyards around Ronda make an easy day from the Costa del Sol, and in the Basque Country and Córdoba the local wines are best tasted bar by bar. Here is how they compare and how to book.
Spain’s best wine regions at a glance
| Region | Famous for | Day trip from | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rioja | Tempranillo, Crianza to Gran Reserva | Bilbao, San Sebastián, Logroño | Rioja wine tours |
| Jerez | Sherry, from fino to Pedro Ximénez | Seville, Cádiz | Jerez sherry tours |
| Penedès | Cava | Barcelona | Barcelona cava tours |
| Ribera del Duero | Powerful Tempranillo | Madrid, Valladolid | Ribera del Duero tours |
| Málaga and Ronda | Sweet Moscatel, mountain reds | Málaga, the Costa del Sol | Málaga wine tours |
| Montilla-Moriles | Sherry-style wines | Córdoba | Córdoba tapas tours |
| Basque Country | Txakoli | San Sebastián | San Sebastián pintxos |
Rioja and Ribera del Duero
Rioja is Spain’s most famous red wine region: historic bodegas in Haro’s Station District, the medieval cellar town of Laguardia, and Logroño’s pintxos street (Rioja wine tours). Ribera del Duero, north of Madrid, makes a richer, darker style of Tempranillo; the two are compared in Rioja vs Ribera del Duero.
Sherry, cava and the south
In Andalusia, Jerez bodegas are like wine cathedrals: tour them from Seville and learn the styles first in sherry explained (Jerez sherry tours). From Barcelona, the Penedès is the home of cava, often combined with Montserrat (cava tours). On the Costa del Sol, taste Málaga’s sweet wines and the mountain vineyards of Ronda (Málaga wine tours). And everywhere, wine and food go together: see the best tapas and pintxos tours in Spain.
How to choose
Match the region to your base: Rioja from the Basque Country, Jerez from Seville, cava from Barcelona, Málaga and Ronda from the Costa del Sol. Most day tours include transport and two or three bodegas; some add lunch.
Our picks: the Boutique Rioja Wine Tour with Lunch from Bilbao, the Cádiz and Jerez Sherry Tasting Day Trip from Seville, and Montserrat with Winery Visit and Farmhouse Lunch from Barcelona.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best wine region to visit in Spain?
Rioja for red wine and historic bodegas; Jerez for sherry; the Penedès for cava near Barcelona.
Can you do a wine tour from Barcelona?
Yes. The Penedès cava region is about 45 minutes away, and many tours combine it with Montserrat.
Can you visit sherry bodegas from Seville?
Yes. Jerez is about an hour from Seville, and day trips include bodega visits and tastings.
Book a wine tour in Spain
Compare wine tours and tastings in Europe, see all Spain food and wine experiences, or read the best wine tours in Europe.
