Ribera del Duero Wine Region

The Ribera del Duero Wine Region

The Spanish wine region Ribera del Duero is now a world famous brand. But it has not always been so. Just some 20 years ago, Ribera del Duero was unknown to the great mayority of wine enthusiasts and only a few wines like Pesquera and Vega Sicilia.

Wine has been produced in Ribera del Duero since the Romans, and Roman mosaics of the Roman god of wine Baccus (Dionysus in Greek mythology) can be found in the area. The modern D.O. Ribera del Duero was recognized in 1982.

Location and climate

D.O. Ribera del Duero is located in the Spanish region Castilla y León, and divided between the provinces of Burgos (60 municipalities), Valladolid (with 19 municipalities), Segovia (5 municipalities) and Soria (6 municipalities).

Climate

The climate is continental but with strong influences from the Mediterranean. The average rainfall are around 450 mm/year. Summers are very dry and winters relatively cold in Ribera del Duero. Also, the difference between night and day temperature is big. The result is that grapes ripen slowly. Ribera del Duero has around 2400 hours of sunshine a year and the soils are rich in lime.

Grapes used

The folllowing grapes are the grapes permitted by the local authorities

Red grapes

Garnacha
Tinta del Pais (Tempranillo)
Cabernet Sauvignon
Malbec
Merlot.
White grapes
Albillo

General characteristics of the wines from Ribera del Duero

Red Wines

You will find both Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva in Ribera del Duero. The Tempranillo grape is the most important grape in the wine production in the area. Generally speaking, the red wines from Ribera del Duero have a strong cherry-red color with aromas dominated by ripe berries.

Rosé wines

The rosé wines in Ribera del Duero are made from Garnacha.

Important wineries in Ribera del Duero

Aalto Bodegas y Viñedos. Founded in 1998 by Mariano García, enologist who has also worked for Vega Sicilia, and Javier Zaccagnini, responsible for the viticulture. The best wines of this wine cellar: Aalto.
Alejandro Fernández Tinto Pesquera. Alejandro Fernández was a pioneer in Ribera del Duero when he started to produce more concentrated red wines from Trempanillo with a fruit driven style and full bodied. The best wines of this wine cellar: Tinto Pesquera (tempranillo), Tinto Pesquera Janus, Tinto Pesquera Millenium Magnum.
Altos del Terral. The best wines of this wine cellar: Altos del Terral T1
Arzuaga Navarro. The best wines of this wine cellar: Arzuaga (Red crianza), Amaya Arzuaga Arzuaga (Red), Arzuaga Reserva Especial (Red reserva), gran Arzuaga (Red).
Baden Numen S.L. The best wines of this wine cellar: Baden Numen “N” (Red crianza), Baden Numen Oro “Au” (Red).
Bodega Convento San Francisco. The best wines of this wine cellar: Convento San Francisco Selección Especial (Red, barrica), Convento San Francisco (Red).
Bodega Cooperativa Virgen de La Asunción. The best wines of this wine cellar: Zarzuela (Rosé), Viña Valera (Rosé), Zarzuela (Red Reserva),
Bodega de Blas Serrano. The best wines of this wine cellar: Mathis (Red), De Blas Serrano (Red), Phylos (Red).
Bodega Matarromera. The best wines of this wine cellar: Matarromera (Red crianza), Matarromera Prestigio (Red reserva), Melior (Red, roble), Matarromera Prestigio Pago de Las Solanas (Red, reserva especial).
Bodega Rento. The best wines of this wine cellar: Rento (Red crianza).
Bodega S. Arroyo. The best wines of this wine cellar: Tinto Arroyo Vendimia Seleccionada (Red), Tinto Arroyo (Red crianza), Viñarroyo (Rosado).
Bodega San Roque de la Encina, Sdad. Coop. The best wines of this wine cellar: Monte del Conde (Red crianza), Monte Pinadillo (Red crianza), Cerro Piñel (Red crianza).
Bodega Viña Vilano S. Coop. The best wines of this wine cellar: Viña Vilano (Rosado y red), Terra Incógnita (Red).
Bodegas Abadía La Arroyada. The best wines of this wine cellar: Abadía La Arroyada (Red crianza), Abbatia Vendimia Seleccionada (Red).
Bodegas Arrocal S.L. The best wines of this wine cellar: Arrocal Angel (Red), Arrocal Selección (Red), Arrocal Máximo (Red), Rosa de Arrocal (Rosado).
Bodegas Asenjo & Manso. The best wines of this wine cellar: Ceres (Red), Ceres Ecológico (Red), Silvanus (Red crianza), A&M (Red crianza).
Bodegas Balbás. The best wines of this wine cellar: Balbas (Red crianza, red reserva), Alitus (Red reserva), Ritus (Red).
Bodegas Bohórquez. The best wines of this wine cellar: Bohorquez (red).
Bodegas Briego. The best wines of this wine cellar: Briego (Red crianza), Briego Infiel (Red), Briego Fiel (Red Reserva), Super Nova (Red crianza), A Punto 99 (Red), Super Nova Edición Limitada (Red).
Bodegas Castillo de Gumiel. The best wines of this wine cellar: Silencio Viñas Centenarias (Red, barrica), Silencio de Valdiruela (Red reserva, red crianza y rosado).
Bodegas Cepa 21. The best wines of this wine cellar: Cepa 21 (Red), Hito (Red).
Bodegas Chivite. The best wines of this wine cellar: Baluarte Roble (Red), Baluarte Crianza (Red).
Bodegas Cruz de Alba. The best wines of this wine cellar: Cruz de Alba (Red Crianza).
Bodegas Cuevas Jiménez. The best wines of this wine cellar: Ferratus Sensaciones (Red), Ferratus (Red).
Bodegas de Los Ríos Prieto. The best wines of this wine cellar: Prios Maximus (Red Crianza, Red Reserva), Lara Prios Maximus Vino de Autor (Red).
Bodegas Dominio de Atauta. The best wines of this wine cellar: Dominio de Atauta Valdegatiles (Red), Dominio de Atauta (Red), Dominio de Atauta Llanos del Almendro (Red), Domino de Atauta La Mala (Red).
Bodegas Emilio Moro. The wines have won awards of Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast. The best wines of this wine cellar: Malleolus (Red), Malleolus de Valderramiro (Red), Malleolus de Sanchomartín (Red), Emilio Moro (Red), Finca Resalso (Red).
Bodegas Félix Callejo. The best wines of this wine cellar: Callejo (Red crianza y red reserva), Gran Callejo (Red Gran Reserva), Félix Callejo Selección (Red crianza), Flores de Callejo (Red).
Bodegas Epifanio Rivera. The best wines of this wine cellar: Erial (Red).
Bodegas Hacienda Monasterio. The best wines of this wine cellar: Hacienda Monasterio (Red) Hacienda Monasterio (Red Reserva).
Bodegas Hermanos Pérez Pascuas. The best wines of this wine cellar: Pérez Pascuas Gran Selección (Red Gran Reserva), Viña Pedrosa (Red crianza, Red Gran Reserva), Cepa Gavilán (Red), Viña Pedrosa Finca La Navilla (Red).
Bodegas Hermanos Sastre. The best wines of this wine cellar: Viña Sastre Pesus (Red), Viña Sastre Pago de Santa Cruz (Red), Regina Vides (Red).
Bodegas Imperiales. The best wines of this wine cellar: Abadía de San Quirce Finca Helena de Autor (Red), Abadía de San Quirce (Red Crianza, Red Reserva, Red Gran Reserva).
Bodegas Los Astrales. The best wines of this wine cellar: Astrales (Red), Astrales Christina (Red).
Bodegas Magallanes. The best wines of this wine cellar: Magallanes (Red Crianza).
Bodegas Pagos de Quintana. The best wines of this wine cellar: Pagos de Quintana (Red Crianza, Red Reserva), Pagos de Quintana Roble (Red).
Bodegas Peñafiel. The best wines of this wine cellar: Miros de Ribera Selección de Barricas (Red Reserva), Miros 6 Meses (Red), Miros de Ribera (Red crianza), Rosa de Miros (Rosado).
Bodegas Pingón. The best wines of this wine cellar: Altamimbre (Red), Torrepingón (Red Crianza), Torrepingón (Red Reserva), Carramimbre (Red Reserva), Carramimbre (Red Crianza).
Bodegas Portia. The best wines of this wine cellar: Portia Prima (Red), Ebeia (Red Crianza).
Bodegas Resalte de Peñafiel. The best wines of this wine cellar: Resalte (Red Reserva), Resalte (Red Crianza), Peña Roble (Red reserva), Peña Roble (Red Crianza), Resalte Vendimia Seleccionada (Red), Gran Resalte (Red Reserva).
Bodegas Rodero. The best wines of this wine cellar: Carmelo Rodero Reserva and Carmelo Rodero Crianza. These wines have won several awards, among them the Decanter World Wine Awards 2001 silver medal. The best wines of this wine cellar: Carmelo Rodero (Red), Carmelo Rodero (Red reserva), Carmelo Rodero (Red crianza), Carmelo Rodero “Viñas de Valtarreña” (Red).
Bodegas Santa Eulalia. The best wines of this wine cellar: Conde de Siruela 4 Meses Roble (Red), Conde Siruela (Red Reserva), Conde Siruela (Red Crianza), Conde de Siruela Elite Roble (Red), Riberal Roble (Red), La Rorra (Red Crianza).
Bodegas Señorío de Nava. The best wines of this wine cellar: Señorío de Nava (Red roble), Señorío de Nava (Red Reserva), Señorío de Nava ( Red Crianza), Vega Cubillas (Red), Señorío de Nava Finca San Cobate (Red Reserva).
Bodegas Tarsus. The best wines of this wine cellar: Quinta de Tarsus (Red crianza), Tarsus (Red reserva).
Bodegas TorRederos. The best wines of this wine cellar: TorRederos (Rosado), TorRederos (Red crianza, Red Reserva), TorRederos Selección (Red).
Bodegas Trus. The best wines of this wine cellar: Trus.
Bodegas Valdubón. The best wines of this wine cellar: Valdubón (Red crianza y Red roble), Valdubón Diez (Red), Honoris de Valdubón (Red).
Bodegas Vega Sicilia. Founded in 1864 by Eloy Lecanda. The wine house has been controlled by several owners since then, but at all times it has been known for its hug quality. The present owners are Álvarez Mezquíriz, who bought the wine cellars in 1982. The best wines of this wine cellar: Valbuena 5° (Red), Vega Sicilia Único (Red), Vega Sicilia Único Reserva Especial (Red).
Bodegas Vizcarra. The best wines of this wine cellar: Vizcarra (Red), Inés Vizcarra (Red), Celia Vizcarra (Red), Vizcarra Torralvo (Red), Vizcarra Senda del Oro (Red).
- Bodegas y Viñedos Alión. The best wines of this wine cellar: Alión (Red).
Bodegas y Viñedos Conde – Neo. The best wines of this wine cellar: Neo Punta Esencia (Red), Neo (Red), Sentido (Red), El Arte de Vivir (Red), Prior de Neo, Crazy Tempranillo (Rosado), Obra (Red), Disco (Red), Vivir, Vivir (Red).
Bodega y Viñedos del Conde de San Cristóbal. Founded in 2000, belongs to the Grupo Vinícola Marqués de Vargas. The best wines of this wine cellar: Conde de San Cristóbal (Red).
Bodegas y Viñedos Gallego Zapatero. The best wines of this wine cellar: Yotuel Roble(Red), Yotuel Selección (Red), Yotuel Viñas Viejas (Red).
Bodegas y Viñedos Juan Manuel Burgos. The best wines of this wine cellar: Avan Nacimiento (Red), Avan Terruño de Valdehernando (Red), Avan Cepas Centenarias (Red), Avan Concentración (Red), Avan Nacimiento (Red).
Bodegas y Viñedos Martín Berdugo. The best wines of this wine cellar: Martín Berdugo (Red), Martín Berdugo Rosado (rosado), mb Martín Berdugo (Red), Martín Berdugo Crianza (Red), Martín Berdugo Barrica (Red).
Bodegas y Viñedos Ortega Fournier. The best wines of this wine cellar: O. Fournier (Red), Urban Ribera Roble (Red), Spiga (Red), Alfa Spiga (Red).
Bodegas y Viñedos Recoletas, S.L. The best wines of this wine cellar: Recoletas Roble (Red), Recoletas Crianza (Red), Recoletas Vendimia Seleccionada Roble (Red), Recoletas Reserva (Red).
Bodegas y Viñedos Tábula. Founded in 2002. The wines Clave de Tábula, Gran Tábula and Tábula have obtained 95+, 94 and 92+ points by Robert Parker. The best wines of this wine cellar: Damana 5 (Red), Damana Crianza (Red), Tábula (Red), Gran Tábula (Red), Clave de Tábula (Red).
Bodegas y Viñedos Valderiz. The best wines of this wine cellar: Valdehermoso (Red), Valderiz Tomás Esteban (Red).
Bodegas y Viñedos Vega Real. The best wines of this wine cellar: Vega Real (Red).
Bodegas y Viñedos Viña Mayor. The best wines of this wine cellar: Viña Mayor (Red Reserva), Viña Mayor (Gran Reserva), Secreto Roble (Red), Secreto Reserva (Red).
Compañía de Vinos de Telmo Rodríguez. The best wines of this wine cellar: Gazur (Red), Matallana (Red), M2 de Matallana (Red).
Condado de Haza. The best wines of this wine cellar: Condado de Haza (Red reserva), Condado de Haza (Red Crianza), Alenza (Red Gran Reserva).
Díaz Bayo Hermanos. The best wines of this wine cellar: Dardanelos (Red), Nuestro 12 Meses Barrica (Red), Nuestro Crianza (Red), FDB Barrica (Red), Nuestro 20 Meses Barrica (Red).
Dominio de Pingus, S.L. Founded by Peter Sisseck in 1995. The wine house is located in the Burgos province, and is famous for producing some of Spain's best - and most expensive! - wines. The best wines of this wine cellar: Pingus (Red) and Flor de Pingus (Red).
Ébano Viñedos y Bodegas S.L. The best wines of this wine cellar: Ébano Crianza (Red).
Finca Villacreces, S.L. The best wines of this wine cellar: Finca Villacreces Nebro Crianza (Red), Finca Villacreces Crianza (Red) and Pruno (Red).
Fuentenarro. The best wines of this wine cellar: Viña Fuentenarro Crianza (Red), Viña Fuentenarro Reserva (Red) and Viña Fuentenarro Vendimia Seleccionada (Red).
Grandes Bodegas. The best wines of this wine cellar: Marqués de Velilla Crianza (Red), Doncel de Mataperras Crianza (Red), Marqués de Velilla (Red), Marqués de Velilla Finca La María (Red).
Legaris. The best wines of this wine cellar: Legaris Roble (Red), Legaris Reserva (Red) and Legaris Crianza (Red).
Lynus Viñedos y Bodegas. The best wines of this wine cellar: Lynus (Red), Pagos del Infante Crianza (Red), Lynus Áurea Reserva (Red).
Montebaco. The best wines of this wine cellar: Semele Crianza (Red), Montebaco Crianza (Red), Montebaco Vendimia Seleccionada (Red crianza).
Pago de Carraovejas. The best wines of this wine cellar: Pago de Carraovejas Crianza (Red), Pago de Carraovejas “Cuenta de las Liebres” Vendimia Seleccionada Reserva (Red).
Pago de los Capellanes. The best wines of this wine cellar: Pago de los Capellanes Crianza (Red), Pago de los Capellanes Reserva (Red), Pago de los Capellanes Parcela El Picón Crianza (Red), Pago de los Capellanes Roble (Red), Pago de los Capellanes Parcela El Nogal (Red).
Páramo de Guzmán. The best wines of this wine cellar: Páramo de Guzmán Rosado (Rosé), Páramo de Guzmán Barrica (Red), Páramo de Guzmán Crianza (Red), Raíz de Guzmán (Red), Páramo de Guzmán Reserva (Red).
Pinna Fidelis. The best wines of this wine cellar: Pinna Fidelis Crianza (Red), Pinna Fidelis Reserva (Red), Pinna Fidelis Vendimia Seleccionada (Red), Pinna Fidelis Roble Español (Red).
Protos Bodegas Ribera Duero de Peñafiel, S.L. The best wines of this wine cellar: Protos Reserva, Protos Ribera Duero Roble (Red), Protos Crianza (Red), Protos Gran Reserva (Red).
Real Sitio de Ventosilla. The best wines of this wine cellar: PradoRey Fermentado en Barrica (rosado), PradoRey Vendimia Seleccionada Crianza (Red), PradoRey Finca Valdelayegua (Red), PradoRey Reserva (Red), PradoRey Gran Reserva (Red), PradoRey Élite (Red).
Torres de Anguix. The best wines of this wine cellar: R D’Anguix (rosado), D’Anguix (Red), T D’Anguix Reserva (Red), T D’Anguix Crianza (Red), T D’Anguix Gran Reserva (Red), Gallery Crianza (Red).
Viñedos y Bodegas Áster. The best wines of this wine cellar: Áster Finca El Otero Fermented in Barrel (Red), Áster Crianza (Red), Áster Reserva (Red).
Viñedos y Bodegas García Figuero, S.L. The best wines of this wine cellar: Figuero Tinus (Red), Tinto Figuero 12 meses barrica (Red), Tinto Figuero 4 Roble (Red), Figuero Noble (Red).
Viñedos Alonso del Yerro. The best wines of this wine cellar: “María” Alonso del Yerro (Red), Alonso del Yerro (Red).