Valle de Benavente Wine Region

The esteemed sub-region of Valles de Benavente has an array of wines known throughout the world for their distinction and class. As you embark on your travels through the wine region of Castile and Leon, we invite you to dive into these distinctive wines.

Valles de Benavente’s wines have developed due to specificities such as sunlight hours, vineyard location and winemaking preferences of the area. These elements inspire a style of wine found nowhere else in Spain or the world for that matter. 

Wines bearing the appellation Valles de Benavente are considered high-quality (Vino de Calidad). It's a region where Tempranillo and Prieto Picudo red wines thrive and reach their full potential. White wines from the area made from Malvasia and Verdejo grapes are yet another exceptional wine to discover.

We encourage you to dive into the outstanding wines that make Valles de Benavente a favourite for wine drinkers worldwide. Tour our site to discover what Wineries in Valles de Benavente have to offer and plan your wine adventure today. Find out more about Wine Tasting and Tours in Valles de Benavente.

Where is Valles de Benavente Wine Region?

Valles de Benavente is a Castilla y León (northwestern Spain) Vino de Calidad title. It obtained this status in 2005 and takes its name from the Benavente y Los Valles region. It is an hour's drive from the Portuguese border. This wine-growing region is distinguished by a range of natural sceneries and four rivers: Tera, Orbigo, Cea, and Esla, which are all tributaries of the famed Duero River.

Unique Terroir of  Valles de Benavente Appellation

The region of Valles de Benavente is located in the northwest of the province of the Castilian Plateau, North Submeseta, Galician-Castilian Area. The Tera, Orbigo, Cea, and Esla rivers are all part of the Valles de Benavente VC, and they all eventually flow into the Duero, a well-known river for producing wine. The landscape is different here; the northeast is rather flat, while the south fluctuates between hilly and flat terrain.  

Valles de Benavente has a continental, severe, and arid climate with minimal rainfall of 350 to 500 mm. Annually, with high luminosity; bitterly winters and dry, hot sunny summers.

The most characteristic soils are brown-limestone, which have a sandy-loam texture and low fertility levels, but are particularly ideal for vine cultivation due to their drainage and aeration ability.

History of  Valles de Benavente Wine Region

Various texts and research dating back to the Middle Ages demonstrate the historical significance of vineyard cultivation and winemaking in the Valles de Benavente Region. A considerable number of vineyards in the area was noted in one of King Alfonso XI's Royal Privileges in 1338.

The region has long been a major source of wines to bordering Asturias and Galicia, where very wet conditions result in very diverse wine types.

What is Valles de Benavente Wine?

The wines protected by the designation should be made exclusively from Valles de Benavente grapes of the following varieties: Tempranillo, Prieto Picudo and Mencia for the red wines, and Verdejo and Malvasia for the white wines.

Although the Valles de Benavente region has traditionally been known for its superb rosé wines, the territory now produces white and red wines, either young or matured in barrel.

Red wines of Valles de Benavente are cherry red colored with aromas of forest fruits. In the mouth, they present a soft tannin and balanced acidity that provide a light and pleasant finish.

Rosé wines of Valles fe Benavente are vivid raspberry colored with a predominance of aromas of red fruits such as strawberry and raspberry. In the mouth they are light and fresh, with a pleasant flashiness reminiscent of red fruit.

White wines are clean and bright straw yellow colored. Fruity aromas, highlighting green apple, with light touches of wild flowers. In the mouth they denote fruitiness and sometimes with a slight touch of needle.

Food to Pair With  Valles de Benavente Wine

Cordero Asado, Roasted Lamb

Cordero Asado is a traditional Castilian meal that involves cooking a whole lamb over an open fire. The lamb is typically marinated in lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme. Cordero Asado is often served with roasted potatoes and onions on the side after it has been fully cooked. The dish is particularly well-liked around Christmastime.

Queso Zamorano, Local Cheese from Zamora

Queso Zamorano is a cheese created in the province of Zamora, Castilla y León, from the milk of Churra and Castellana sheep breeds. The top and bottom have a distinctive herringbone design, while the sides have a woven esparto grass (zigzag) pattern.

The maturing period of this cheese can range from 60 to 100 days, depending on its weight. During this time, it is regularly turned and coated with olive oil, causing the rind to turn brown. Queso Zamorano is a table cheese with a rich, peppery flavor and a delicate, acidic aftertaste.

Places to Visit in Valles de Benavente 

Perdaza, Balm to the Soul of Rural Tourism Admirers

The village, spread out atop the Sierra de Guadarrama hill, appeared to have been preserved hundreds of years ago and frozen in time. Pedraza is enclosed by a city wall and features a small town square, as was customary at the period. The majority of the houses in the village were built in the 16th and 17th centuries; there are only a few places like this in Europe, which you can count on your fingers. Pedraza has a unique character, thus there are always movies and TV shows with a chivalric theme being filmed there. There are about 500 residents in this area. And visitors marvel at the old stone walls, plan picnics in Segovia's peaceful meadows, or relish the signature local beef in small rural restaurants.

Candelario, Perfect Place to Unwind Next to the Mountains

The Sierra de Bejar mountain range is popular among ski resort enthusiasts, and the town of Candelario is located at the base of the ridge. The town was designated as an aesthetic historical monument and a must-see in the Salamanca province in 1975.

It is interesting for architects and designers to visit Candelario because houses were built close to each other here in the conditions of a rather harsh climate. And practically every building's front door is protected (from avalanches and dogs) with batipuerta — a type of wooden barrier. Since there aren't many visitors here, you can unwind in solitude and serenity.

Frequently Asked Questions About Valles de Benavente