Top Spanish Vineyards in 2024: Including the Top 50 Best Vineyards in the World
Spain has long been renowned for its wine culture, a rich tradition that stretches back over 3,000 years. From the fertile plains of La Rioja to the sun-drenched hills of Andalusia, Spain’s diverse landscape is home to some of the world’s finest vineyards. In 2024, Spanish vineyards continue to shine on the global stage, with several making it to the prestigious list of the Top 50 Best Vineyards in the World. What makes Spanish wine so exceptional?
Spanish wines are famous for their remarkable diversity. Spain is the third-largest wine producer in the world, offering a wide range of styles from rich reds to delicate whites, sparkling Cava, and complex fortified wines like Sherry. The key to Spain’s wine prowess lies in its climate. From the cool, temperate regions of Galicia to the arid plains of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain’s varied climates allow for a range of grape varieties to thrive, from the iconic Tempranillo and Garnacha to the unique Albariño and Verdejo.
Additionally, Spain’s long winemaking history and the influence of both Roman and Moorish civilizations have shaped its wine culture, producing wines that are deeply tied to the country’s geography, heritage, and people. Modern Spanish winemaking embraces both traditional practices and innovative approaches, allowing the country’s vineyards to continue producing wines that set global benchmarks for quality.
We’ve rounded up some of the most remarkable Spanish vineyards in 2024. These estates are known for their spectacular terroirs, world-class wines, exceptional hospitality, and breathtaking locations
1. Bodegas de los Herederos del Marqués de Riscal (Rioja)
Located in the heart of the Rioja region, Bodegas de los Herederos del Marqués de Riscal is one of Spain’s oldest and most prestigious wineries, founded in 1858. The estate is renowned for its high-quality Rioja wines, particularly its flagship Marqués de Riscal Reserva, a blend of Tempranillo, Graciano, and Mazuelo. The vineyards are situated on the rolling hills of Rioja Alavesa, where the combination of Mediterranean and continental climates produces grapes of exceptional quality.
The winery is famous for its cutting-edge design, including the iconic titanium and pink building by architect Frank Gehry. The estate offers visitors a comprehensive experience, with tours of the modern facilities, tastings of their exceptional wines, and a luxurious hotel and restaurant. The Marqués de Riscal Hotel, designed by Gehry, is an architectural marvel and offers an unforgettable stay with panoramic views of the vineyards. Guests can enjoy gourmet dining at the Michelin-starred Restaurant Marqués de Riscal, which pairs exquisite dishes with the estate’s wines.
2. Bodegas Ysios (Rioja Alavesa)
Bodegas Ysios is located in the Rioja Alavesa subregion of Rioja, renowned for its breathtaking architecture and world-class wines. Designed by architect Santiago Calatrava, the winery’s sweeping curves are inspired by the surrounding mountain ranges and vineyards. Ysios specializes in Tempranillo-based wines, which reflect the unique terroir of Rioja Alavesa’s chalky soils and high altitude.
Ysios offers an extraordinary wine tourism experience, with private tours through the vineyards and the stunningly modern winery. Guests can taste the estate’s premium wines in the elegant tasting room, with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The winery’s Restaurant Ysios serves delicious local cuisine, making it the perfect place to pair exquisite food with the estate’s exceptional wines. The location, nestled between the Sierra de Cantabria mountains and the Ebro River, offers an unforgettable setting for wine lovers.
3. Abadía Retuerta (Ribera del Duero)
Located in the prestigious Ribera del Duero region, Abadía Retuerta is a historic winery that blends tradition with innovation. Founded in 1996, the estate’s vineyards are planted on the banks of the Duero River, benefiting from the region’s extreme climate of hot summers and cold winters. The winery is known for producing rich, full-bodied wines, with Tempranillo being the flagship grape.
Abadía Retuerta offers visitors a comprehensive experience, including guided tours of the vineyards and state-of-the-art winery, where guests can learn about the meticulous winemaking process. The estate also features a luxurious hotel, Hotel Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine, housed in a 12th-century abbey. The hotel offers fine dining at El Refectorio, a Michelin-starred restaurant that pairs local dishes with the estate’s exquisite wines, creating a truly immersive experience in the heart of Ribera del Duero.
4. Bodegas Muga (La Rioja)
Bodegas Muga is a family-owned winery located in the heart of Rioja Alta, known for its commitment to traditional winemaking methods. The Muga family produces some of Rioja’s finest wines, including the Muga Reserva and Muga Prado Enea Gran Reserva. The estate uses a combination of oak barrels and natural yeasts to craft wines that are known for their balance, depth, and aging potential.
Visitors to Muga can enjoy a detailed tour of the winery’s traditional facilities, where the wines are aged in handcrafted oak barrels. The estate’s tasting room offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere, where guests can sample a variety of wines while learning about the family’s winemaking history. The winery also features a lovely restaurant serving regional Rioja cuisine, making it an ideal destination for food and wine lovers.
5. Marqués de Murrieta Estates & Wines (La Rioja)
Marqués de Murrieta is one of Spain’s most esteemed wineries, producing wines since 1852. Located in the Rioja Alta subregion, the estate has long been a benchmark for high-quality Rioja wines. The flagship wine, Marqués de Murrieta Reserva, is a blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, and Mazuelo, offering a perfect balance of fruit, oak, and spice.
Marqués de Murrieta Estates & Wines is not only known for its exceptional wines but also for its beautiful estate, which includes the historical Castillo de Ygay, a 14th-century castle that now houses the winery and its cellars. The estate offers guided tours that include tastings of their premium wines in a picturesque setting. Visitors can also enjoy a gourmet meal at the estate’s restaurant, where local Rioja dishes are expertly paired with Marqués de Murrieta wines.
6. Bodegas Vivanco (Rioja)
Located in the heart of the Rioja Alta, Bodegas Vivanco is one of the most innovative and visually stunning wineries in Spain. The Vivanco family, which has been producing wine for generations, is known for its commitment to both traditional and modern winemaking techniques. The estate specializes in Tempranillo, producing wines that are elegant and complex.
Vivanco offers a comprehensive wine tourism experience, including a guided tour of their modern facilities and a visit to the Vivanco Wine Museum, which showcases the history of winemaking through interactive exhibits and rare wine-related artifacts. The estate’s restaurant, Vivanco Restaurante, offers a blend of traditional Spanish dishes and contemporary gastronomy, paired perfectly with Vivanco wines.
7. González Byass – Bodegas Tío Pepe (Jerez)
González Byass, founded in 1835, is the producer of the world-famous Tío Pepe Sherry. Located in the historic region of Jerez in southern Spain, González Byass is a leader in the production of Sherry and one of the most respected wineries in Spain. The estate is renowned for its expertise in the production of fortified wines, particularly Fino and Amontillado Sherry.
Visitors to González Byass can enjoy an in-depth tour of the winery, which includes tastings of their famous Sherries, along with an introduction to the traditional solera aging system used in Sherry production. The estate also offers a variety of food pairings with Sherry, showcasing the versatility of these unique wines in both fine and casual dining settings.
8. Gramona (Penedés)
Located in the Penedés region near Barcelona, Gramona is one of the premier producers of Cava, Spain’s famous sparkling wine. Founded in 1881, the winery is known for producing high-quality, traditional method sparkling wines, with a focus on the indigenous Xarel-lo grape, alongside Macabeo and Parellada.
Gramona offers visitors a variety of wine experiences.
