The Ribera del Duero wine region is one of Spain’s most renowned wine regions. The high quality of the predominantly red wines the region produces has been widely recognised internationally: Ribera del Duero has an enviable reputation as a producer of premium red wines.

Ribera del Duero lies in the Castilla y León province, in the northwest of the country. This is considered the heartland of Spain. During the 15th century the rulers of Castilla y León were the driving force for the unification with other regions, as a result Spain was created as a single political entity. Castilla y León lies on a plateau accentuated by forested hills, at 700-1000m above sea level. The lower land is given over to growing wheat, olives, and grapes. The Duero river runs across Castilla y León and continues into Portugal. In Spain the Duero provides picturesque scenery, whilst downstream, across the border in Portugal, the landscape evolves into a dramatic natural scenery: the Douro Valley wine region.

Close to the vineyards of Ribera del Duero there are magnificent historic cities like Valladolid and Burgos, both former capitals of Spain, before the capital was moved to Madrid. There are also notable lesser known towns in Castilia like Zamora and Palencia, and specifically in the center of Ribera del Duero the towns of Peñafiel and Peñaranda del Duero. These places possess a wealth of art and architecture, reminding us of the glory days of old Castilia. The main pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela crosses Castilla y León, hence numerous churches and monasteries dot the landscape. Last but not least, imposing castles mark the landscape and dominate many of the towns, a living reminder that this land once represented border territory between the Christians and the Moors.

The main wine regions of Castilla y León are Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Toro. Some of Spain’s internationally most celebrated red wines come from the demarcated Ribera del Duero region, relatively unknown outside of Spain until the last decade. The picturesque rolling hills of the countryside here are marked with vineyards where the Tempranillo grape dominates, in a soil of limestone, clay and marl. Some wineries use other grape types, like Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and the white Albillo Mayor.

The more traditional wineries in Ribera del Duero produce powerful and complex Tempranillo red wines, aged in French oak. Often these wines can mature over a long period of time. Other less traditionally inclined producers are successful too, with wines of greater freshness and less oak, with perhaps a greater sense of place. In summary, wines of high quality abound in Ribera del Duero, both in a traditional as a more modern style.

There is great food to be had in this region too, it is a joy to sample delicacies paired with fine Ribera del Duero wines. Both succulent roast suckling pig as well as sweet nutty Iberico ham are everywhere. And as there are lots of sheep, it may not be a surprise that nearly every restaurant will have a tasty dish of slow–roasted lamb on its menu. Vegetables like lentils and chickpeas are important in Castilian cookery too, where they are often prepared with chorizo. In this region, there are creamy and cured quality cheeses. Among these, the Villalón from Valladolid is deservedly famous.