Indulging in the Wine Lands of Northern Spain
Immerse yourself in wine history and culture and relish in the traditional culinary delights of this extraordinary country. Appreciate Spain’s most famous wine lands, Toro, Zamora, Rueda, Ribera del Duero and La Rioja all included on this escorted journey accompanied throughout by an expert local guide and all supported by private transport. Hosted/Escorted by Alex Wilcox from Prince Wine Store 9 Days – October 16 -­‐ 24, 2017 This comprehensive gastronomic journey for wine enthusiasts leads you through some of Spain’s most famous wine lands, Toro, Zamora, Rueda, Ribera del Duero and La Rioja. Wine is the focus, matched with spectacular tasting menus, fine dining and scrumptious, delectable foods, this culinary extravaganza will surpass all expectations. Bodegas, vineyards and highly sought after local restaurants are featured, complemented by some of the worlds’ best wines! Rather than inflicting repetitive winery visits, we make it more interesting by curating a range of different wine experiences over the course of the journey through northern Spain. From informal wine tasting in a bustling market to lending a helping hand in the vineyard to Michelin starred matching of wine with delicious locally sourced food, no two days are the same. ACCOMMODATION The well-­‐appointed accommodation has been carefully selected to include boutique style posadas, castles, casas and distinctive hotels for you to feel at home and, with a strong sense of place, a touch of class, luxury and individualism. YOUR HOST: ALEX WILCOX Law school didn’t stand a chance with Alex Wilcox, when a cycling trip through the vineyards of Europe during university sent Alex off in a new direction towards a career in the world of wine. Whilst completing an Honours Degree in Agricultural Economics at the University of Sydney, with a year spent at California’s UC Davis focusing on Wine Trade, Alex worked wine vintages in France, Tuscany and Western Australia. Realising he wasn’t destined to inherit a European vineyard, Alex followed his future wife to Melbourne where he went onto work across all aspects of wine trade, including service, retail and importing. It was during his time working at Phillip Murphy Wine & Spirits in the late 1990s that Alex met future business partner Michael McNamara. The partnership was formalised when the two bought into the Prince Wine Store a number of years later. Over the last 13 years, Alex has been instrumental in the growth of the group and its breadth of offerings, particularly championing lesser-­‐known, quality, wine producers both partners source and develop. With stores now in Victoria and NSW, Alex looks forward to expanding the Prince Wine Store’s customer experience to Sydney and beyond. And to sharing his passion and knowledge on this incredible journey through the wine lands of northern Spain. Day 1 | Madrid – October 16, 2017 Welcome to the capital of Spain, ornate Madrid. You will be greeted by our experienced, well versed and knowledgeable local leader, who will accompany you for the entire journey with your host Alex Wilcox. A great introduction to Madrid is an afternoon walking tour to acquaint yourself with the city’s Hapsburg heart, including the Plaza Mayor. The walk culminates with a light dinner and sampling of wines at the infamous San Miguel market. This is a chance to sample lots of wines from different parts of the country whilst sitting in a convivial, informal space. Meals: Light dinner in at San Miguel market with wines. Accommodation: Hotel Las Letras, Superior rooms. Day 2 | Salamanca – October 17, 2017 Leave Madrid by road as you cross the Sierra de Gredos towards a tiny winery in the village of El Tiemblo. Vinos Ambiz is a labour of love. Everything is hand made in tiny quantities, as natural and artisan as wine production gets. It’s also in one of the more unusual and challenging production areas – Avila – known for its brutal winters, and summers for that matter. After lunch at leisure in the village of San Martín de Valdeglesias, visit the hacienda Bernabeleva. Here you see small scale, high quality winemaking using unusual varietals such as albillo. Stop off to see the striking walled town of Ávila before continuing to Hacienda Zorita on the outskirts of Salamanca. This is one of Spain’s oldest bodegas, and a luxurious stop for the night. Dinner is a tasting menu with matching wines from this, one of Spain’s oldest bodegas. Meals: Breakfast in hotel. Tasting dinner at Hacienda Zorita with wines. Accommodation: Hacienda Zorita Day 3 | Wineries of Rueda & Toro -­‐ October 18, 2017 Start today by visiting the striking 16th century town of Medina del Campo en route to taste Rueda’s finest at Bodegas Angel Rodriguez Vidal. After lunch at leisure in Tordesillas, it is a short hop into Ribera de Duero, arguably the finest of Spain’s D.O. regions. This afternoon visit the Pesquera winery, where you spend the night. This boutique hotel and true monument for the enjoyment of the senses offers its visitors an unforgettable experience in a very exclusive atmosphere. Its characteristic early 20th century style; its decorative eclecticism becomes a homage to art, to reveries and, above all else, to good taste. Meals: Breakfast in hotel. Dinner at Pesquera hotel. Accommodation: Hotel Pesquera, Penafiel. Day 4 | Wineries of Ribera del Duero – October 19, 2017 A more focused day is in store today, as we dedicate ourselves to the fine wines of just this one, great D.O. Today’s route takes in the Felix Callejo winery, which produces great wines from the only female winemaker in the D.O. and the Bodegas Monteabellón, before returning to Condado de Haza. We enjoy a walk through the vines followed by an impressive lunch in the bodega. Returning to the the sanctuary of our hotel, for an evening at leisure in the village of Penafiel. There will be suggestions on places to dine this evening, if you can drag yourself away from the beauty of the accommodation. Meals: Breakfast in hotel. Lunch at the Bodega. Accommodation: Hotel Pesquera, Penafiel. Day 5 | Visit bodegas in La Rioja – October 20, 2017 From Ribera del Duero we drive across to La Rioja. The first visit is the Rioja Alta winery on the edge of the town of Haro. On this private tour you taste four of their fine vintages. Continue to the CVNE bodega which is very nearby for a tasting course which covers four of their premium wines. Lunch is at leisure in the heart of the pretty town of Haro. Stretch your legs with a stroll around the herradura – horseshoe – a street which curves up and around from the main square, lined with bars and restaurants serving great food and wines. From Haro, it is a short drive to your hotel to check in and freshen up before strolling across to the Luis Canas winery. This is one of the finest producers in La Rioja but very much a family affair. Luis himself is still usually to be found surveying operations. Dinner tonight is a sophisticated tasting menu at your hotel, with flight of matching wines. Meals: Breakfast in hotel. Dinner at hotel, 7 courses with flight of wines. Accommodation: Viura Hotel, standard rooms. Day 6 | Vineyards and wines of La Rioja – October 21, 2017 Walk through fields and vineyards to the walled town of Laguardia this morning. The landscapes are beautiful with the Cantabrian mountain range just to the north sheltering the vines of some of La Rioja’s finest producers. Laguardia itself is fascinating to visit, with a tales of the peninsular wars dominating the town’s history, it also has much older gems to share. The church of Santa Maria has a striking polychromatic entrance dating as far back centuries. Meanwhile, under your feet are countless cellars. Indeed, the town is entirely pedestrianised since cars would make the streets collapse into the hundreds of wine cellars below. Visit the Exopto winery which sits just outside the village before lunch at leisure inside the walls. This afternoon enjoy a spot of local, family-­‐run winemaking -­‐ very different from the major Rioja players -­‐ but great fun. It's certainly somewhere you'll receive a very warm welcome, especially if you'd like to lend a hand to some of the processes! You should have worked up an appetite by this evening, when we travel south to the wonderful Moncalvillo restaurant, run by the Echapresto brothers. Ingredients come from the hills around and about, but the food is remarkably sophisticated and delicious. This dinner is known as a maridage, whereby each course is paired with a different wine. Meals: Breakfast in hotel. Dinner at Venta Moncalvillo tasting menu with wines. Accommodation: Viura Hotel, standard rooms. Day 7 | Travel to the north coast – October 22, 2017 Start your day at the impressive wine museum at Dinastia Vivanco. It has sections dedicated to the different parts of the winemaking process, from harvest to fermentation to maturation to bottling. It even deals with getting the wine out again – the world’s largest collection of corkscrews is here. Travel out of La Rioja and into the Vizcayan Basque country. Lunch is in the hills above Durango in a fine local ‘asador’ serving delicious grilled meats. From lunch it is a fairly short hop to visit an artisan cheesemaker, Patxi. A charming character, he will talk you through the process of making the famous Idiazabal sheeps cheese. Continue to a fine converted castle on the edge of the town of Gernika where you spend the next two nights. Meals: Breakfast in hotel. Lunch 5 course tasting at Asador Akebaso including wine. Dinner at hotel, including wine. Accommodation: Castillo Akesbaso, standard rooms Day 8 | Gernika – October 23, 2017 We have a nice slow start to the day. In the late morning your guide leads you on a stroll through the market of Gernika. It was during the Spanish Civil War that the Luftwaffe bombed the town, on Monday market day. Picasso’s subsequent depiction of the horrors of war became the most potent anti-­‐war artwork of the 20th century. Visit a Txacoli winery on the edge of town after a lunch at leisure. This afternoon can be spent relaxing at your stunning hotel or exploring the nearby coastline of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve. Tonight’s farewell dinner will again be an excellent selection of wines, accompanied by a similarly notable feast, in the beautiful surroundings of your Napoleonic Castle. Meals: Breakfast in hotel. Dinner at hotel, tasting menu with wine. Accommodation: Castillo Akebaso, standard rooms. Day 9 | Farewell…October 24, 2017 Your private transfer to Bilbao airport will take approximately 40 minutes. Although our trip comes to an end after breakfast today, the experiences will be etched in your memory for a lifetime. Wandering the World is proud to present this indulgent offering, we trust you have an amazing journey. PRICING & INCLUSIONS FOR THIS EXCEPTIONAL INDULGENCE IN NORTHERN SPAIN
FEATURES A gastronomic journey with an emphasis on fine wines and traditional foods from some of the oldest regions in Spain and Portugal. Bodegas, fincas and highly sought after local restaurants and unique hotels are all keys features. ACCOMMODATION The well-­‐appointed accommodation has been carefully selected to include boutique style posadas, casas and distinctive hotels, all with a touch of class and individualism. MEALS A combination of degustation, tapas and tasting menus…a culinary extravaganza. Fine local wines are included with all lunches and dinners as per itinerary. Breakfast – all days; Lunches – 2; Dinners – 7 LEADER & SPECIALIST GUIDES This journey is fully escorted by an experienced, well versed and knowledgeable local guide. In addition to your permanent leader, there will be specialist on hand -­‐ local guides, farmers, chefs, and wine makers are all part of this experience. This particular departure October 16 -­‐ 24, 2017. And will be hosted by Alex Wilcox from The Prince Wine Store. TRANSPORT Private comfortable vehicles included in line with the itinerary. Airport transfers are not included. PRICES Please note the prices are a ‘from price’. Prices vary according to season, availability and booking lead time. Please refer to our full booking conditions. Per person price twin share for Indulging in the Wine Lands of Northern Spain – 9 Days is based on a group of 12 or more travelling. From Euro 5,695. Single supplement upon request: From Euro 1,425. Please note: A single supplement will apply is there is no gender share option. Deposit: AUD 1,500 per person. Pre-­‐night accommodation: Per person twin share: Euro 170 / Single Supplement: Euro 290 Please note we have priced this trip in Euro and taking the deposit in Australian Dollars. The balance due 60 days prior to the trip departing will calculate the Euro amount at the Westpac Telegraphic transfer rate of the day and deduct the deposit from the balance due. For enquiries and bookings, including full booking conditions, email [email protected] or [email protected] or contact us at www.wanderingtheworld.com.au Wandering the World is proud to present this exclusive journey.