Galicia Revisited

The Society’s first visit to Galicia was in July 2014. In response to requests made by members, a second wine tour of Galicia is being arranged.

THE TOUR WILL EXPLORE THE BEAUTIFUL COASTLINE, MEDIEVAL TOWNS AND FOUR TOP WINE REGIONS OF GALICIA – RIAS BAIXAS, RIBERA SACRA, VALDEORRAS AND RIBEIRO.

Galicia, in northern Spain, borders the Atlantic to the north and west and Portugal to the south. Wine production in the region dates back to Roman times. Today, the Spanish wine region’s signature export is fresh, saline white wine; however, Galicia also makes some excellent reds, particularly in the hills of Ribeira Sacra and Monterrei.

“Galicia is a lush and verdant region characterized by its dramatic Atlantic coastal landscapes; steep, terraced vineyards with mighty rivers and peaceful estuaries; and ancient stone villages, shrouded in dreamy mist. Galicia’s ethereal landscapes resemble Ireland and Scotland, a reminder of Spain’s massive geographic diversity. The region is famous worldwide for the Camino de Santiago pilgrim’s way to Santiago de Compostela, where Saint James the Apostle is, according to legend, said to be buried. This pilgrim’s route dates back to the Middle Ages and extends from various points in Europe like France and the UK, and abounds with enchanting, medieval architecture along the way. The Cathedral of Santiago is the second most important religious shrine in Europe, after St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

The rolling, emerald hills of this seductive region are sprinkled with “Pazos” (historic, stone manor houses, many of which have wine estates), “horreos” (charming, granite structures used traditionally to store grain), castle fortresses and watchtowers, and perfectly preserved Cistercian monasteries. And of course, for wine lovers, Galicia is firmly on the map for its zippy Albariño wines. These delightful white wines hail from the Rias Baixas in the southern, coastal part of Galicia. Albariño is characterized by notes of peach and apricot (quite reminiscent of Viognier), and its high acidity, which pairs sublimely with the fresh, local seafood. On this tour, you will taste some of the best Albariño wines being made today! You will also be introduce to lesser-known but increasingly appreciated high-end Godello whites, and surprising red wines made with Mencía grapes.

The wine tour of Galicia begins in the enchanting town of Baiona. Ancient defensive walls encircle the castle hotel, perched right over the marina and peaceful bay. This wealthy, little maritime port is where Christopher Columbus’s Pinta caravel ship first arrived in 1493, bringing news of the “new world.” You can visit the perfect replica of the Pinta right in the pretty harbor. Today, Baiona is most famous for its sailing regatta, and it makes the ideal base for exploring the O Rosal wine valley. From Baiona, we will make our way for the Ribeiro wine region, known for its Jewish heritage as well as its 1000-year-old Cistercian monastery. Indeed it was the monks who first planted vines for wine here, and we will taste the region’s flagship Treixadura based white wines (often blended with Godello and Caíño Blanco) at the best properties.

Ribera Sacra, called “sacred river bank” by the Romans who cultivated vines here, is next. This is a gorgeous wine-producing area whose vines descend vertically down the hilly slopes towards the Sil and Miño rivers. We will experience the intense beauty of the terraced vineyards on a private Catamaran cruise, with wine tasting on board, of course. We will be sleeping in a historic monastery in a scenic valley covered in oak and chestnut trees, stylishly converted with a spa. This Galician wine region is famous for red wines primarily, and we will taste some great examples of these fine wines at some premium estates such as Adega Algueira.”

Wine Regions Of Galicia

Provisional Itinerary

Day 1 – Friday 5 July

6.30 am: Flight to Porto with Ryanair from Leeds/Bradford airport
9.05 am: Arrive Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport in Porto
Coach to Monção (156 km. 1 hr. 50 mts)
Visit tasting & lunch at Anselmo Mendes‘ new winery, Quinta da Torre in Monção.

Coach to Parador in Baiona, Ponteverda (78 km. ~1 hr)
Evening free (Option: Walk the 1.8-km loop trail near Baiona. Considered an easy route, it takes an average of 28 min to complete. This is a popular trail for walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day.)

Overnight in Parador in Baiona

To the south of the Rías Baixas (four estuarine inlets), protected by the sea and with views of the beautiful Bay of Baiona, is the peninsula of Monterreal where the Parador de Baiona is situated: a Neo Gothic palace with spectacular views of the ocean. Outstanding features include the majestic stone stairway in the reception area and a huge garden, equipped with a large swimming pool, from where you can view the entire bay.

Note: Members should now book flights and make arrangements for airport transfers.

Day 2 – Saturday 6 July

Breakfast at the Parador
11 am: Visit & tasting at Terras Gauda

We start with a vineyard tour continue inside the winery where the process of elaboration of the white wines is explained. A tasting of the “THE TERRAS GAUDA COLLECTION”: TERRAS GAUDA, TERRAS GAUDA ETIQUETA NEGRA and LA MAR will follow, accompanied by octopus empanada and a selection of Galician cheeses. A hat from the winery will be offered as a souvenir.

Lunch in a restaurant
Evening free
Overnight Baiona Parador

Day 3 – Sunday 7 July

Breakfast at the Parador
Coach to Santiago de Compostela (122 km. ~ 1 hr 20 mts.)
Guided walking tour of the city including visit to the cathedral (tickets booked)
Optional lunch at Cafe de Altamira

After lunch, drive to Baiona and stop at Pazo de Faramello for a tour of the manor house and their small winery. (13 km. ~ 20 mts)

Drive to Baiona(107 km. ~ 1hr 10 mts)
Evening free
Overnight Baiona Parador

Day 4 – Monday 8 July

Breakfast at the Parador
9.00 am: Drive to Ponteverda (61 km. ~45 mts)
10.00 am: Visit & tasting at Pazo Senorans
Drive to O Grove (35 km. 30 mts)
Optional lunch at D`Berto in O Grove (Well managed by two brothers, find one in the dining area and the other at the stoves. It has a bar and a private area at the back. Traditional Galician cuisine. – Michelin Guide)

Visit A Toja Island and ALanzada Beach in Cambados

Drive to Baiona (102 km. 1 hr & 10 mts)
Evening free
Overnight Baiona Parador

Day 5 – Tuesday 9 July

Check out after breakfast
Visit, tasting & lunch at Martin Codax

Programme:

10:30 Reception at the winery

10:45 Transport to a nearby vineyard (“Viña del Señor”)

11:00 Visit vineyard

11:45 Return to the winery

12:00 Visit winery

12:45 Wine tasting (5 wines): Martin Codax Sparkling Wine Brut, Albariño Martín Códax, Martín Códax Lías, Vindel and Organistrum.

14:00 Lunch

Lunch menú:

Starters: Zamburiñas y Navajas

Grilled fresh fish with galician potatoes and salad.

Traditional dessert

Coffee

Wine: Martín Códax Lias

Drive to Ribeira Sacra
4 pm: Top-end “Aromas Épicos” tour & tasting at Adegas Moure S.A in Ribeira Sacra
Epic Aromas Tour
Vineyard visit
Panoramic view point “Cabo do Mundo”
Winery visit
Tasting of 7 wines and 2 wine liquors, paired with local gastronomic products
Duration – 3 hours in total

Drive back to the Parador
Evening free
Overnight at Monastery Hotel, Ribera Sacra (Parador de Santo Estevo)

Monastery Hotel, Ribera Sacra (Parador de Santo Estevo). The hotel is a converted monastery set in a deep green valley in the Nogueira de Ramuín chestnut forest. The evening is free to dine onsite, relax in their little spa, go for a mountain walk, etc.

Day 6 – Wednesday 10 July

Breakfast at the Parador
Drive to Bodegas Casal de Araman near Ourense (52 km. 50 mts)
Tasting at Bodegas Casal de Armán in Ribeiro
Lunch at Sabrego Restaurant

Drive back to the Parador
Evening free
Overnight at Monastery Hotel, Ribera Sacra (Parador de Santo Estevo)

Today we travel north-east to the Ribeiro wine appellation to visit and taste at Bodegas Casal de Armán, situated in the Avia Valley. The estate encompasses a winery, an inn, and a fine restaurant. Lunch will be at their Sábrego restaurant, named after the characteristic decomposed granite found in the vineyard soils of Ribeiro. All the dishes will be paired with estate bottlings.

After lunch, stroll around the nearby medieval hamlet of Ribadavia, whose Jewish quarter is one of the most important in Northern Spain. In the Middle Ages, the wine trade of Ribeiro was controlled by the local Jewish community, who are also credited with perfecting the terracing and irrigation systems in the vineyards. Today it is a preserved little hamlet famous for its medieval festival and its Jewish heritage.

Day 7 – Thursday 11 July

Breakfast at the Parador
9.30 am: Drive to Adega Algueira (50 km. ~ 1 hr)
11 am: Winery visit and premium tasting
2 pm: Lunch at the winery’s restaurant O Castelo

Menu

Homemade boletus croquettes & assorted Galician cheeses

Lourenza beans with octopus & shrimp

Veal shank medallion in Mencia wine with bold potatoes & chestnuts

Assortment of homemade desserts

Algueira Mencia DO Ribera Sacra, water, Galician coffee & liquors

4.30 pm: Sil River Cruise
Return to Parador
Evening free
Overnight Parador de Santo Estevo, Ribeira Sacra

Ribera Sacra is where you will find Galicia’s best reds, made primarily with the Mencía grape as well as other permitted varietals like Tempranillo, Brancellao, Caiño Tinto, Merenzao, and Sousón. The reds are lighter and more delicate than in other Spanish red wine regions. Many delicious white wines are also made in this region. Our day begins at Adega Algueira (42km. 1 hr.). Fernando Algueira is the brilliant owner winemaker of this leading Ribera Sacra winery. His passion project began in 1979 when he started to recover abandoned historic vineyards and the ancient stone terraces on his property that spill down at an 85-degree angle to the Sil River. His red wines are made with Mencia, Caiño, and Souón grapes cultivated in slate and shale rich soils here. Anadelia, their oak-aged white is made with Godello and Treixadura.

We will travel to the Embarcadero de Os Chancís and board a private Catamaran, to sail through the Cañón del Sil. This dramatic gorge (river canyon) close to where the Sil and Miño rivers meet, offers lovely, life-affirming landscapes. The vineyard-covered hills on either side of the widening and meandering river reach up to 1500 feet in some parts!

Day 8 – Friday 12 July

Checkout after breakfast
9 am: Drive to Quinta do Napoles in the upper Douro in Portugal (2 hrs. 30 mts.) for tasting and lunch with Dirk Niepoort
Drive to Porto. (134 km. ~ 1 hr & 35 mts)
5 pm: Check-in at hotel Porto Vintage Ribeira
7.30 pm: Visit and dinner with tasting at Nicolau de Almeida
Overnight Porto hotel

Saturday July 13

Breakfast at the hotel
10 am-12.30 am: Porto walking tour with 2 guides
Free time for lunch
3 pm: Tour of Niepoort cellars

8 pm: Grand Dinner at the Factory House. Dress code blazer with tie for gentlemen

Day 10 – Sunday 14 July

Breakfast at the hotel
7.30 am: Checkout and drive to Porto airport in 25 seater minibus (13 Km. ~20 mts)
9.30 am: Ryanair flight to Leeds
11.30 am: Arrive Leeds/Bradford airport

Tour Costs

Total tour cost pp in double room is £3091.24 (Euros 3445.56)

Total cost pp in single room is £3728.19 (Euros 4157.56)

(Deposit Paid

Deposit pp (double room) = £291 + £50

Deposit pp (single room) = £415 + £50)

(An initial £50 deposit was paid by all except the 2 members who joined the tour late)

Included In The Price:

Transport

28-seater coach for 10 days from Friday 5th to Sunday 14th July

Coach and driver’s expenses

Accommodation

4 nights B&B accommodation at Parador de Baiona Rias Baixas – standard room

3 nights B&B accommodation at Parador de Santo Estevo, Ribeira Sacra – standard room

2 nights B&B accommodation at Hotel Porto Ribeira in Porto – classic room

Walking Tours

Guided tour of Santiago de Compostela with tickets to the Cathedral on Sunday July 7th

Guided Walking tours of Porto

Tastings, Lunches & Dinners

Friday 5 July: Visit, Tasting & Lunch at Anselmo Mendes

Saturday 6 – Visit & Tasting at Terras Gauda in Rias Baixas

Sunday 7 – Visit & tasting at Pazo de Faramello

Monday 8 – Visit & Tasting at Pazo Senorans

Tuesday 9 – Visit, Tasting & lunch at Martin Codax

Tuesday 9 – Evening visit & Tasting at Adegas Moure In Ribeira Sacra

Wednesday 10 – Visit, Tasting & Lunch at Bodegas Casal de Arman

Thursday 11 – Visit, Tasting, Lunch & Sil River Cruise at Adega Algueira

Friday 12 – Visit, tasting & Lunch at Quinta do Napoles

Friday 12 – Visit tasting & dinner at Ramos Pintos in Porto

Saturday 13 – Tour of Niepoort Cellars in Porto

Saturday 13 – Factory House dinner

Not Included:

Diners except on Friday 12 & Saturday 13

Lunch on 6 Saturday, 7 Sunday, 8 Monday, 13 Saturday

Gratuities

Expenses of a personal nature