RUEDA
We meet in the centre of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Salamanca old town and after introductions among our small select group we’ll set off in our air-conditioned, chauffeured tour vehicle through agricultural landscape to our first wine destination of the day. Along the way Don Federico provides you an overview of the history of viniculture in the region and an insight into our way of life here in the heart of Spain.
Mid-morning we arrive at our first ecological winery in the province of Valladolid, and explore the charming, tranquil countryside estate, rich in history and where Christopher Columbus lodged to write his memoirs, with access to the 15th century chapel and the monastery which houses the wine-making facilities and old barrel-ageing warehouse. After our guided visit to the sights of the estate we will enjoy a tutored tasting of three fine red wines of the bodega, accompanied by artisan cheese and locally-cured ham.
We continue to the wine village of Rueda, seat of the appellation of Spain’s wonderful white verdejo wines, for a traditional Castilian lunch of wood-fire barbecued roast meats and homemade accompaniments, paired with white and red wines from the vines of the surrounding countryside.
After coffee, we take a walk among the vines laden with fruit, where the lifecycle of the grape will be explained before we reach the delightful 18th century mansion house of our second exclusive winery visit and descend to the centuries-old underground wine caves excavated by hand, where we view the barrels in their maturation tunnels and learn how avant-garde vinicultural methods are combined with traditional techniques to produce excellent and distinctive wines. Later we will take a look at the innovative egg-shaped wine deposits before returning to the garden and salons of the main house to taste three biodynamic white and rosado wines of outstanding character and elegance.
After a chance to explore the charming and relaxing garden and salons of the bodega our chauffeur will collect us for the drive back to Salamanca where we say our farewell in time for you to freshen up and continue your evening in the lively tapas bars of the historic old town.
Join La Ruta de Don Federico on an Exclusive Wine Experience – a unique, memorable and authentic cultural adventure awaits you!
INCLUDED
Group sizes are small on our AUTHENTIC WINE EXPERIENCES to allow us to provide a very personalised trip. Limited places are available (maximum of 6–minimum of 4) at €175 per person for the full day tour (duration approximately 10 hours) and includes all wine bodega and vineyard visits, tutored wine-tasting sessions, chauffeur-driven transportation, wine, lunch and tasting snacks, and the fully supervised guiding service of your tour host, Don Federico.
The trip is conducted in English although the authentic nature of the Wine Experience involves contact with Spanish-speaking locals, which we encourage. Your host will provide a full bilingual translation so you won’t miss a detail of the day while you are immersed in the authentic culture of the country.
Frequently asked questions
What should I bring?
Are there any mobility requirements?
The nature of La Ruta de Don Federico involves visits to authentic, rustic wineries, walking through vineyards on uneven soil and descending steps into centuries-old subterranean cellars, as well as stops at sights of natural beauty which require reasonably good mobility to fully enjoy the experience. As such, the tours are not suitable for wheelchair users or those with restricted mobility. If in doubt, please contact us for advice prior to making a reservation.
What are the group sizes?
La Ruta de Don Federico offers a highly-personalised, high-quality authentic wine experience, with groups of a maximum of 6 and a minimum of 4 guests on 1-Day trips.
Can children be accommodated on tours?
Alcohol is served in moderation as a core element of the wine experiences and therefore a minimum age of 18 years applies for all guests.
Can you cater for special dietary requirements?
La Ruta de Don Federico organises tours primarily in Castile and León, where meat such as lamb, pork, ham and beef are specialities of the region. However, a wide range of gastronomy is offered during the wine experiences including fish and vegetarian options, and other special dietary requirements or allergies can be catered for if you advise us at the time of booking.
How far will we be travelling?
We have a journey time of approximately 90 minutes to reach the wine regions we will be visiting in our luxury, air-conditioned mini-coach. Following our first bodega visit of around 2 hours there is a short transit to the village where we will have lunch and our second 2 hour wine bodega visit, after which we will return to Salamanca in a little over an hour.
Begin your journey of discovery
or call +44 (0) 7960 246810 or email tours@rutadonfederico.com
