For the third consecutive time, the Rioja winery Herederos del Marqués de Riscal has been distinguished as the second best in the world by The World's Best Vineyards. These international awards have been announced for the first time in Spain, thanks to the hosting of the DO Calificado Rioja, their list of the 50 most relevant wine tourism destinations.
The World's Best Vineyards are an organization made up of more than 600 wine and travel experts from around the world whose purpose is to identify the best experiences linked to a vineyard as a wine tourism destination. The Argentine winery Catena Zapata has been declared the best in the world. The World's Best Vineyards 2023 gala has stopped at the new Beronia winery, in Ollauri (La Rioja), and has been presented by the British Master of Wine Tim Atkin.
The president of Herederos del Marqués de Riscal, Alejandro Aznar Sainz, stated that this third second place is "of course, recognition of the work done over the years." In addition, this winery founded in 1858 in Elciego (Álava) has been established this year as the best in Europe. From the organization it is stated that "as part of the luxury collection of the Marriott hotel chain, the Frank Gehry structure, which opened in 2006, is as intriguing inside as it is outside: expect sloping walls, zigzag windows, high ceilings and lots of color in its 61 rooms (including 10 suites)”.
It is added that “two contrasting wings are joined by an elevated glass corridor through which sunlight streams in, and the views from the living room terrace offer the wine lands of Rioja on one side and the gastronomic promise of the Basque Country on the other. other. “These two worlds combine at the Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant, led by local superstar chef Francis Paniego.”
Three other Spanish wineries have also been included in the Top 50 list. Bodegas Tío Pepe de Jerez de la Frontera (like Beronia, from the González Byass group) has achieved 21st place for its “unique” wine tourism proposal. They offer everything from the Veranea en la Bodega cycle, with the Tío Pepe Festival concerts, the humor of Tío Pepe Comedy, the flamenco of Solera y Compás and the gastronomic proposal of the Pedro Nolasco restaurant and Las Cenas de las Estrellas, to the visits of the wineries and their tours through the patios and old trellised streets inside.
All experiences “are designed to create indelible memories for the visitor.” This journey through the world of sherry can continue at the Hotel Bodega Tío Pepe, the first Sherry Hotel in the world, located inside the winery. Through its 27 rooms and spaces, this boutique hotel, located a few meters from the cathedral and the Alcazar of Jerez, offers "a unique, exclusive and unforgettable experience".
The wine from Pago Abadía Retuerta, from Sardón de Duero (Valladolid), has risen to number 27. Enrique Valero, general manager of this Novartis group winery, highlights that they have risen two positions compared to last year, and affirms that this recognition "is an impulse that motivates us to continue working to give voice and image to Spanish excellence on the scene international".
In this winery you can learn about the universe of wine, enjoy a walk among the vineyards, get to know every corner of the winery, exploring its history and discovering first-hand its production process, its barrel rooms, or taste its wines in a commented tasting. and personalized. And you can even enjoy a stay at its LeDomaine hotel, where wine also stars in everything, whether in its unique gastronomic proposals or in its Wellness Sanctuary.
And the Spanish presence among the 50 best world destinations has been closed in number 49 by the Rioja-based Bodegas Muga, from Haro. They propose a wide range of recreational and educational activities. Visits to the winery and cooperage with wine tasting are offered. You can enhance your visit with an introductory wine tasting and appreciation course or relax comfortably in your wine bar, enjoy the best of Rioja cuisine in your restaurant, tour vineyards on a Segway or fly over the vineyards in a hot air balloon.
Two other Spanish wineries have also been among the 100 best wine tourism experiences in the world: the Ysios wineries from La Rioja from the Pernod Ricard group (located in Laguardia, and designed by the architect and civil engineer Santiago Calatrava), which appears in 71st place. , and Bodegas Vivanco and its great wine museum (Briones), in plaza number 76.
The celebration of The World's Best Vineyards 2023 has led the president of the Regulatory Council of the Rioja Qualified DO, Fernando Ezquerro, to state that “it is time to value the enormous wealth of the DO in wine tourism, a merit of all the wineries and winegrowers who make it even greater every day.”
And he added that “our centuries of history and a melting pot of contrasts that are difficult to compare have led Rioja to consolidate itself as one of the best wine destinations in the world.” Rioja received a total of 748,345 visitors in 2022, 62.64% more than the previous year. The estimated economic impact on the region is estimated to have exceeded 155.5 million euros.
During the Top 50 gala of The World's Best Vineyards, Fernando Ezquerro assured that the DO Calificación Rioja "needs little letter of introduction, since it is known both outside and inside Spain for the enormous quality of its wines." He also pointed out that “it is a melting pot that has no comparison, with the highest concentration of barrels in the world, some 600 wineries and more than 14,000 winegrowers.”
