Ribera del Duero Wine Region

Located in the district of Castilla y Léon, Spain Ribera del Duero is one of the eleven most high-quality wine appellations across the region. It is also part of several famous wine-producing regions near the Duero River. Ribera del Duero wine region proudly introduces Spain’s most exclusive red wines to the world, and it was also named the Best Wine Region of 2012 by a prestigious publication.

Find out more about Wine Tasting and Tours in Ribera del Duero!

Where is Ribera del Duero wine region located?

Let's figure out where Ribera del Duero wine region is located before we dive into the characteristics of the wine itself. Ribera del Duero extends on the northern plateau of the Iberian Peninsula, occupies the southern plains of the province of Burgos and the west side of Valladolid, and holds some parts of Segovia and Soria. The capital of the wine region is the city Aranda de Duero. Basque Country is not very far either, the city of Bilbao is about two hours away.

Now you have a clear idea about the boundaries of the region, and if we add the fact that the region take the courses of the famous Duero River, you will know its location with complete accuracy. The region is placed around the more recent stretches of the river, and its soils around the bank are mostly sandy.

Ribera del Duero Wine Map

History of Ribera del Duero wine region

Wine has been produced in the Ribera del Duero wine region for thousands of years, but viticulture arrived with Benedictine monks from Cluny in the 12th century. Ribera del Duero continues the 2000 years old tradition of winemaking. Archeological discovery of the Roman mosaic discovered In 1972, during the grape harvest in Baños de Valdearados, also proves the long history of winemaking in Ribera del Duero appellarion. 

The official classification of the Ribera del Duero Denominación De Origen (DO) was founded on July 21, 1982, by an organization of wine producers and growers. Ribero del Duero wines are currently enjoying increased popularity, thanks to the considerable interest in the region.

Wine became a major part of the cultural and economic development of the Ribera region and production increased enormously. Nowadays, more than 300 wineries call Ribera del Duero home, including some of Spain’s most iconic names. Their vineyards stretch for over 70 miles along the Duero River. 

Exceptional terroir of Ribera del Duero wine appellation

The Duero valley, formed during the Miocene period and has a flat, rocky terrain, ranging from 911 m down to 750 m above sea level. Its soil consists of clayey sand, limestone, marl, and chalky concretions.

Vines are planted between 750 and 850 meters in height, and they occupy both sides of the Duero River. At this height, temperatures in summer get as high as 40°C during the day but they can fall at night by 25°C. This tense temperature change is actually very good for the grapes cultivated in the area because they do not need to consume nutrients from the soil at night. However, during the daylight, nutrients remain intact and the root passes them to the grapes.

Autumns in this part of Spain are pretty cold and wet. Spring frosts are also common, mainly in May, which defines substantial differences between harvests

Grape Varieties in Ribera del Duero wine region

Ribera del Duero's reputation has increased because of its high-quality red wines made mainly from Tempranillo grapes. Tempranillo is the most popular grape variety, locally known as Tinto Fino or Tinta del Pais. Wines from this grape are pigmented, with a firm tannin structure and complex aromas of dark fruit. 

According to D.O. regulations, Tempranillo must make up a minimum of 75 percent of all red wine blends; other grape varieties used for the wines are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec. 

Another grape that can be found in Ribera del Duero is Garnacha, which is used for the production of rosé wines. It produces aromatic wines dominated by ripe strawberries. The ageing requirements used for Ribera del Duero match those of the Rioja denomination: 

• Crianza red wines should age for at least two years.
• Reserva wines are aged for at least three years.
• Gran Reserva wines must be aged for five years. 

Did you know?

• When Ribera del Duero gained D.O. status in 1982, there were only 9 wineries, while today this number is more than 300.
• Nowadays, wineries in Ribera del Duero own 55,000 acres of vineyards.
• Tempranillo is the most famous wine grape variety in the Ribera del Duero wine appellation.
• Wine must contain 75 percent Tempranillo grape for it to be recognized by the D.O.

Food to Pair with Ribera del Duero Wine

Tapas

Tapas are known as Spain's one of the best food inventions, these small foods are usually accompanied with wine because of the philosophy ''eat when you drink, drink when you eat." The name comes from the Spanish verb tapar, meaning to cover. 

Nowadays, the popularity of tapas went beyond the borders of Spain. You can find this dish in almost every developed country. Classic tapas consisted of olives, mussels, or anchovies served on a tiny plate. However, today, there are no certain rules to apply the cooking process, so the dish looks more diverse.

Paella

Paella is one of the most popular Spanish dishes according to foreigners. This dish combines rice with a wide array of additional ingredients, such as seafood, vegetables, or meat. Although the original paella was created in Valencia, with seasonal vegetables, poultry, and rabbit, its name is used to indicate all rice dishes prepared in a paella (the traditional shallow pan).

The rice is evenly cooked in a thin layer, letting the seeds caramelize and become crispy. This dish is always served in the pan and paired with Spanish wine. You can find it everywhere in the country with numerous combinations.

Lechazo

Lechazo is a Spanish dish made from roasted suckling lamb. The meat used is from unweaned lambs, and is similar to veal, or the meat of "cochinillo". They select the lamb carefully because it should be 20 to 30 days old and a minimum of 5 kg. Also, the lamb must be fed only on its mother's milk.

Nowadays, it is one of the most important dishes of Spanish cuisine, hence numerous restaurants specialize in lechazo, where they cook the lambs in traditional wooden stoves known as hornos de leña. It is recommended to taste Lechazo with the Tempranillo wine.

Places to Visit in Ribera del Duero wine region

Peñafiel

You shouldn't leave the Ribera del Duero wine region without visiting one of the most beautiful little towns - Peñafiel. This place is best known for the Peñafiel Castle and medieval square. The castle now hosts the Wine Museum of Valladolid and offers an impressive view of the town and the surrounding region. Around the square, you will see attractive houses with wide windows and unique styles.

The town is full of caves that were traditionally used to store the wine because of the constant temperature they kept all year round. These caves have drains for ventilation and to remove the gases generated by the fermentation of the wine. You can visit the castle, walk around the streets, and even take a look at mysterious caves.

Duero River

You can't avoid this beautiful river which is the origin of the region's name. Indeed, Ribera del Duero gets its name from the Duero River. In Spanish ''Ribera'', means ''river bank'', meaning that the name of this wine appellation is the riverbank of the Duero River. 

The river is notable for the scenic Douro railway line, tourism, the creation and production of a mildly fortified wine: port, grapes, conventional wines, and other agricultural produce. Generally, this combination of the river and vineyards create unique scenery for the visitors.

Visit archeological ruins 

Ribera del Duero appellation has always been a place for human settlement, a fact we can see evidence of the wealth of archaeological artifacts found in the neighboring area. If you are fascinated by history, you should know that there is an essential archaeological site on the outskirts of Peñafiel. This site is key in discovering more about a Celtic tribe that used to roam the lands of Ribera del Duero.

During the summer months, the camp is open for work and can be visited by the general public. In Roa del Duero there is also another archaeological park, which has been created for children. This is a great experience for history lovers and people interested in the past.

Browse our site to discover the best Wineries in Ribera del Duero!

Frequently Asked Questions about Ribera del Duero wine region