I’ll meet you at the airport or railway station before we make our way to the delightful Quinta de San Amaro Hotel & Restaurant, one of Galicia’s finest boutique country hotels. Nestled among vineyards in the heart of the Salnés Valley and just a short drive from the elegant city of Pontevedra, it provides the perfect base from which to explore Rías Baixas.
After a relaxed lunch at the hotel, we’ll begin our exploration of the region with visits to two carefully selected wineries in the Salnés Valley. Here you’ll meet the people behind the wines, learn about the traditions and innovations that define modern Albariño, and enjoy your first tastings of this remarkable Atlantic white wine.
We’ll return to Quinta de San Amaro in the early evening, where the rest of the evening is yours to enjoy before dinner and an overnight stay.
After breakfast we’ll leave the Salnés Valley for a visit to one of the leading wineries in the Rías Baixas Ribeira do Ulla subzone, a beautiful rural landscape just a short drive from Santiago de Compostela. Here you’ll discover a different expression of Albariño and gain a deeper appreciation of the diversity that exists within the denomination.
We’ll then continue to Santiago de Compostela, one of Spain’s most captivating historic cities. After exploring its celebrated municipal market, we’ll enjoy lunch featuring some of Galicia’s finest seasonal produce before wandering through the city’s magnificent granite streets, elegant squares and lively café terraces, soaking up the unique atmosphere that has drawn pilgrims and travellers for centuries.
Returning to Quinta de San Amaro in the late afternoon, you’ll have time to relax before we head to the nearby city of Pontevedra for dinner at Bagos, widely regarded as one of Galicia’s finest wine bars. An outstanding wine list and contemporary Galician cuisine provide the perfect way to round off another memorable day.
After breakfast we’ll set out for two final winery visits in the Salnés Valley, each offering its own distinctive interpretation of Albariño. As throughout the tour, you’ll meet the people behind the wines, learn about their philosophy and winemaking techniques, and enjoy guided tastings that highlight the remarkable diversity found within the Rías Baixas denomination.
Lunch will be at another of my favourite Galician restaurants, where outstanding local cuisine is paired with carefully selected D.O. Rías Baixas wines in a relaxed and welcoming setting.
Following lunch, we’ll return to Quinta de San Amaro, where you’ll have time to unwind before our farewell dinner. It’s the perfect opportunity to reflect on three memorable days spent discovering the landscapes, gastronomy and wines that have made Rías Baixas one of Europe’s most exciting wine regions.
After breakfast, I’ll transfer you to the airport or railway station for your onward journey, bringing your Rías Baixas wine experience to a close. I hope you’ll leave Galicia with wonderful memories, a deeper appreciation of its wines and gastronomy, and perhaps even plans to return one day.
“We have recently returned from an amazing week in Pontevedra and were lucky enough to meet Adrian McManus from North West Iberia Wine Tours, who took a group of 8 of us out on an amazing visit to two beautiful vineyards, where we tasted some fantastic Albariño wine. The tour was extremely well organised and very informative about the area and vineyards. We were taken to places that we would never have found on our own and had an amazing lunch and drinks. We will certainly be returning to Pontevedra and will be making sure that we arrange another tour with Adrian. Thank you so much for a great day.”
Clare and Stuart Bale
Epsom, England.
