Interested in wine tours in Spain and Portugal? Our wine regions map will allow you to focus on the wines you enjoy the most and the best places to spend the night.
The approximate boundaries of the main dozens of wine regions in Spain and Portugal are represented on the map, together with information for visitors. Remember, you don’t have to drink wine to appreciate the beauty and cuisine of Iberia’s top wine regions.
Map of wine regions of Spain and Portugal
Here’s a map of the main wine-growing regions of Spain and Portugal, marked with nearby cities that are the best to stay in while touring the wine. You can get more information about any of these places on this site.
Penedès wine region – Spain
The Penedès wine region is located southwest of Barcelona, in northeastern Spain. You will find many wineries that you have heard of, especially if you drink cava , Spanish sparkling wine. Freixenet and Codorniu are here, as well as Torres, producer of Sangre de Toro .
Wines have been produced here for over 1500 years; The Phoenicians introduced Chardonnay vines in the 6th century.
The Penedès wine region that surrounds the regional capital is Vilafranca del Penedès, founded in the 12th century.
Just south of the region is the interesting city of Tarragona.
Navarra wine region – Spain
Navarra stretches from the Pyrenees to the Ebro river in what is now known as the Basque region. The extreme north of the region is bounded by the city of Pamplona, famous for the running of the bulls. There was a time when the region was a major producer of rosé wine, but recently the region has become known for its high-quality red and white wines. The quantity of red wine produced has quadrupled between 1988 and 2005, according to the Navarra Denomination of Origin Regulatory Council.
The evidence has been produced through archaeological studies showing that the Romans were building wineries in the region in the 2nd century BC. By the Middle Ages, wine was being recommended by written guides for pilgrims who walked the Camino de Santiago.
La Rioja wine region – Spain
Rioja is probably the best known of the Spanish wine regions. Rioja became the only Qualified Denomination of Origin in 1991, which means high-quality wines with strictly controlled origin and production.
A good place to stay while exploring La Rioja is Logroño, which has many wine bars and a cluster of excellent tapas bars near the market, as well as the cathedral seen in the picture.
Rioja allows tempranillo, red garnacha, graciano and mazuelo grapes to be used for red wines, and viura, malvasia and white garnacha for whites.
Ribera del Duero wine region – Spain
Ribera del Duero is one of the fastest developing wine regions in Spain, mainly because the region had not grown quality grapes long before 1982 when it was granted official Ribera del Duero Denomination of Origin status.
Grape varieties here include Tempranillo, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, and Garnacha. The extreme temperatures give Tempranillo more acidity than that found in other regions of Spain.
A good place to stay while exploring is Peñafiel, which has a wonderfully restored castle to explore.
Rueda wine region – Spain
Located just southwest of the Ribera del Duero, in the Castilla y León region, is Rueda. Wine has been produced here since the 11th century, mostly wines similar to sherry from the white Verdejo grape. Modern vintners emphasize the fresh and fruity wines of the Verdejo grape and combine the best with Sauvignon Blanc using very modern techniques and machinery. This makes for a good seafood wine.
While visiting the Rueda wineries, you can stay in Valladolid, to the north, or in one of my favorite cities, Segovia, to the southeast. Another alternative is Salamanca, to the west, from where you can also easily visit the Douro region of Portugal.
Douro Wine Region – Portugal
The Douro wine region, known primarily for its Port wine, is the oldest marked wine region in the world. The wine has been produced here for over 2000 years. The Alto Duero, along with the prehistoric rock art of the Coa Valley, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Most of the grapes are planted on steep slopes along the Douro River and offer stunning views.
You can take a day trip to the Douro, but the Douro is more romantic by boat on the Duoro River from the city of Porto.
Port wines from the Douro can be tasted and bought in Vila Nova de Gaia, on the other side of the Douro from Porto. Vila Nova de Gaia will give you information about port wine, the wine accommodations to visit and where to stay.
Region of Vinho Verde – Portugal
The Vinho Verde region of Portugal lies between the Douro and the Spanish border to the north. Hot summers and very humid winters contribute to its unique growing conditions.
Vinho Verde literally means “green wine,” but it is all about acidic freshness and tingling on the palate rather than color. White Vinho Verde is intended to be consumed within one year of bottling.
To visit this region, you can stay in one of my favorites, Ponte de Lima or near Viana do Castelo or Braga. You can also stay in Porto.
Alentejo Wine Region – Portugal
The Alentejo region of Portugal is one of my favorites. Modern winemakers focus on reds; there is no problem maturing them in the reliable Alentejo climate.
Wine has been produced in the Alentejo since Roman times. In fact, you can still taste Roman-style wines in massive amphoras called Vinho de Talha. Even in modern wineries equipped with the latest scientific winemaking equipment, some of the best wines are still pressed on foot. Wine in the Alentejo is becoming quite popular, and the region is adding tourist resources as fast as it can. We recommend a stay at an inn while in Portugal, perhaps in Estemoz, Evora or Beja.
Wine Region of Dão – Portugal
The Dão wine region is probably one of the best known in Portugal, as many Dão wines are seen in the wine shops there. Vineyards don’t dominate the landscape, so one of the best places to taste red wines is probably one of the least interesting to visit. The vineyards are located in the areas of the Mondego and Dao rivers, mountainous regions that keep maritime influences at bay.
The Touriga Nacional is the main red variety of the Dão, but it is often mixed with other grapes. If you like cities, you should see Coimbra while visiting the Dão vineyards to the north.
La Mancha wine region – Spain
La Mancha is one of the oldest wine regions in Spain. Located on a high plateau between Madrid and Andalusia, known for its windmills and the men who lean towards them, the low rains and moderately warm summers produce fully ripe grapes. For reds this means Cencíbel (the primary grape), Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha, Merlot and Moravia, and for whites Airén, Macabeo, Pardilla.
The great area of La Mancha is one of the largest in the world; It constitutes half of the wine-growing capacity of Spain.
While La Mancha’s wine routes pass through the towns of Alcázar de San Juan, Pedro Muñoz, Socuéllamos, Tomelloso, Villarrobledo, Campo de Criptana, and San Clemente, you may want to stay in nearby Toledo for a more urban experience. .
Jerez Wine Region (Jerez) – Spain
Jerez is known mainly for the fortified Sherry wine, and the calcareous soil of this corner of Andalusia is ideal for storing the winter rains that the grapes can use in hot summers. Wine that does not become sherry is often distilled into Andalusian brandy. Table wines are usually the second rate in this area.
There are many mass-produced Sherries. One of the main reasons to come here is to try the offerings of small producers that are difficult to find outside the region.
