Base to explore Ribera del Duero (and La Rioja?)
Dec 11th, 2012, 10:37 PM
#1
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Base to explore Ribera del Duero (and La Rioja?)
Hi all,
I'm looking for accommodation for 1 to 2 nights to explore the golden mie (Vega Silica, Pingus, Retuerta) and smaller wineries such as Lopez Cristobal, Hermamos Sastre. Have looked up google maps, seems like I should stay in Penafiel or Roa?
Are there any other wineries which I should consider? Am looking for a good mix of iconic wineries and smaller family run ones. Most important consideration would be English speaking friendly owner/staff who will take time to explain their wine to us.
Am looking for accommodation that is less than 100euros per night, am open to both modern/simple types or family/farm types (prefer home-run to chain hotels), as long as its clean and conveniently located.
As I love my reds and vineyards visit, am toying with the possibility of exploring La Rioja too. If I only have time for one, which would be recommended?
Thanks!!
I'm looking for accommodation for 1 to 2 nights to explore the golden mie (Vega Silica, Pingus, Retuerta) and smaller wineries such as Lopez Cristobal, Hermamos Sastre. Have looked up google maps, seems like I should stay in Penafiel or Roa?
Are there any other wineries which I should consider? Am looking for a good mix of iconic wineries and smaller family run ones. Most important consideration would be English speaking friendly owner/staff who will take time to explain their wine to us.
Am looking for accommodation that is less than 100euros per night, am open to both modern/simple types or family/farm types (prefer home-run to chain hotels), as long as its clean and conveniently located.
As I love my reds and vineyards visit, am toying with the possibility of exploring La Rioja too. If I only have time for one, which would be recommended?
Thanks!!
Dec 12th, 2012, 09:42 AM
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It will be very difficult to explore both areas from one base, and finding anything half-way decent for less than €100/night will be tricky. You can check Villa de Abalos (www.hotelvilladeabalos.com) in the Rioja or some of the accommodations in Laguardia.
Hotels in the Ribera del Duero are in short supply, but you can check out the hotels in Peñafiel, Pesquera de Duero, and those in or near Aranda de Duero. There are a few nice wine hotels in the Ribera del Duero, but they are well beyond your budget.
As far as visiting any of the bodegas in either the Rioja or the Ribera, you'll need reservations in advance. And you can forget about visiting Vega Sicilia or Pingus. They are not open to the public, besides, Pingus in nothing more than a warehouse in Pesquera de Duero. The owner, Peter Sisseck, the flying winemaker, is only there when he needs to bottle a few bottles of wine for his customers, or is doing a private tasting for some of them.
For a little more information, you might want to check out the following newsletter from Feb 2011: http://www.iberiantraveler.com/Riber...ine_Region.pdf
And don't forget to check Maribel's Guide to the Rioja for information on visiting the area.
Hotels in the Ribera del Duero are in short supply, but you can check out the hotels in Peñafiel, Pesquera de Duero, and those in or near Aranda de Duero. There are a few nice wine hotels in the Ribera del Duero, but they are well beyond your budget.
As far as visiting any of the bodegas in either the Rioja or the Ribera, you'll need reservations in advance. And you can forget about visiting Vega Sicilia or Pingus. They are not open to the public, besides, Pingus in nothing more than a warehouse in Pesquera de Duero. The owner, Peter Sisseck, the flying winemaker, is only there when he needs to bottle a few bottles of wine for his customers, or is doing a private tasting for some of them.
For a little more information, you might want to check out the following newsletter from Feb 2011: http://www.iberiantraveler.com/Riber...ine_Region.pdf
And don't forget to check Maribel's Guide to the Rioja for information on visiting the area.
Dec 12th, 2012, 10:27 AM
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I can't speak to the Ribera del Duero region, but if you're only going to visit La Rioja for 1-2 days you'll be hard pressed to visit more than 3-4 bodegas. Generally you can visit one in the morning (and in some cases squeeze in 2 morning visits) and then one in the afternoon especially if you're looking for an English tour. Most bodegas aren't set up for mass tourism so the tours aren't on coordinated schedules. In September I was able to visit 3 bodegas in one day (2 in the morning and one after lunch) but this was a first for me and frankly it was a bit too much). You definately need to book in advance.
Dec 14th, 2012, 10:20 PM
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@Robert2533 could you let me know what are some of the nice wine hotels u mentioned?
@CathyM any wineries I'm la Rioja to recommend? There's too many!! Thinking of spending 2 nights in Ribera del duero and then driving down to la Rioja for 2 nights. Feasible? Suggested routes?
@CathyM any wineries I'm la Rioja to recommend? There's too many!! Thinking of spending 2 nights in Ribera del duero and then driving down to la Rioja for 2 nights. Feasible? Suggested routes?
Dec 14th, 2012, 11:16 PM
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You ask if the trip is doable, but give little details of your plans.
Is this trip included in the trip you ask about here?
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-vineyards.cfm
If so I can see some one has suggested that <b>For a solo traveler driving can be tedious without having someone to talk to or share driving time </b> I would concur with this. However seeing that a trip between Burgos and Haro is around an hour it is easily doable. But if you whole trip is solo in a car then please take in the advice given in you other thread.
Is this trip included in the trip you ask about here?
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-vineyards.cfm
If so I can see some one has suggested that <b>For a solo traveler driving can be tedious without having someone to talk to or share driving time </b> I would concur with this. However seeing that a trip between Burgos and Haro is around an hour it is easily doable. But if you whole trip is solo in a car then please take in the advice given in you other thread.
Dec 15th, 2012, 08:08 AM
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The only wine hotel that might fit your budget would be on the north side of the Ribera, in Valbuena de Duero. The Hotel Rural Emina, which belongs to the Matarromera Group.
The only hotel in Peñafiel that might fit your budget would be the 3-star Hotel Ribera del Duero, depending on your dates.
You can also check Posada Fuente de La Aceña in Quintanilla de Onésimo, but it looks to be about 30% above you budget, again, depending on your dates.
Hotel Arzuaga is double you budget, as is Hacienda Abascal. Le Domaine, the wine hotel of Abadía Retuerta, and my favorite in the Ribera del Duero, goes for €700/night. The hotel's restaurant is overseen by the noted Basque chef Andoni Luis Aduriz of Mugaritz.
The other least expensive options would be found in Aranda de Duero or in Valladolid.
The only hotel in Peñafiel that might fit your budget would be the 3-star Hotel Ribera del Duero, depending on your dates.
You can also check Posada Fuente de La Aceña in Quintanilla de Onésimo, but it looks to be about 30% above you budget, again, depending on your dates.
Hotel Arzuaga is double you budget, as is Hacienda Abascal. Le Domaine, the wine hotel of Abadía Retuerta, and my favorite in the Ribera del Duero, goes for €700/night. The hotel's restaurant is overseen by the noted Basque chef Andoni Luis Aduriz of Mugaritz.
The other least expensive options would be found in Aranda de Duero or in Valladolid.
