World’s Best Vineyards: Portugal & Spain
World’s Best Vineyards publishes an annual list of the best wineries to visit around the world as ranked by wine experts who’ve visited them. The latest edition features some great examples from wine-producing countries all over the world, including a number in Spain and especially Portugal. It’s an important premise, because making great wine is no guarantee that a winery is enjoyable or even possible to visit. Although I love visiting small growers whose wine tourism offering is passion and the wine in their cellar, I do appreciate wineries that put in the effort to develop a great wine tourism experience.
Vineyards in Portugal
Portugal is extremely well-represented on this list, which should come as no surprise considering that the Douro Valley, Portugal’s premier wine region, is one of the greatest wine tourism destinations in the world. Between the beautiful scenery of vineyards sloping down to the Douro River, the superb Douro and Port wines, and the great experiences available at wineries, the Douro is an all-around compelling place to visit. A number of the region’s wineries rank highly on this list, some of which offer winery accommodation, meals at the winery, and special experiences like boat rides on the Douro River. Iconic Douro quintas (wineries) that made the list include Quinta do Crasto, Quinta do Bomfim, Quinta Nova, Quinta do Vallado, and Quinta do Noval. We include all of these quintas in our northern Portugal trips, and love each of them for reasons as different as are their winery visits and wine tastings.
In other areas of Portugal, producers like Quinta do Soalheiro and Quinta da Avelleda in Vinho Verde north of the Douro Valley and Taboadella in the Dão region have been recognized for their superb wine tourism offerings. We have a northern Portugal wine trip that includes a day and two nights in the Dão, where some of Portugal’s hottest new wines are made. Portugal has caught on quickly to how to create a welcoming and interesting experience for wine tourists, and visiting wineries here is a real pleasure.
Vineyards in Spain
Spain has two entries in the top ten and throughout the list. Marqués de Riscal in Rioja, with its Frank Gehry designed hotel, Michelin star restaurant, and incredible history, is ranked second in the world. Gonzalez Byass in Jerez, makers of Tio Pepe fino along with many other wonderful sherries, comes in at number six. Don’t miss the new Tio Pepe Hotel in the sprawling winery complex next to the Cathedral of Jerez. Other notable mentions in Spain are Abadia Retuerta in Ribera del Duero, with its stunning five star hotel and Michelin star restaurant in a former abbey; Vivanco in Rioja with its world-class wine museum next to the winery; and Marqués de Murrieta, a historic estate producing incredible Rioja wines near the city of Logroño.