Wine tastings in August 2019

Relax is the buzzword in August. Wine activities are few and far between as most of Spain comes to a halt but there are still a few places where wine lovers can enjoy good wines. Taberna der Guerrita continues with its excellent tastings whereas Valenciso in Rioja offers a combination of wine-related leisure activities. Music festivals seem to be catching up on the idea of introducing wine as part of their programme and this month there are a few across Spain. Sounds good to us!

31 July - 4 August. The Fiesta del Albariño, which takes place in Cambados (Pontevedra) since 1953, is a popular event with pop concerts, dancing parties and circus attractions. Although the fiesta has turned to more leisurely activities away from wine, there is still a chance to taste Albariños in the Professional Wine Tunnel, a tasting room sponsored by the Rías Baixas appellation. The last day of the festival sees the announcement of the winning wine among all those competing. Price: €15

1-4 August. Somontano's Wine Festival is held in Barbastro (Huesca) in northern Spain and includes concerts, dancing, comedy shows and tapas tastings as well as Somontano wine tastings and winery visits. Tickets cost €5 and include four tastings to choose from 80 wines and almost 150 tapas. Wine activities in the CatanDO entre Copas (Tasting among wine glasses) programme cost €15 each.

2-9 August. Festival VinyaSons ends its musical shows across various Catalan wineries with the presence on stage of In Crescendo at Mas Geli in Pals, DO Empordà (2 August) Sara Pí at La Vinyeta in Perelada, DO Empordà (3 August) and Marina Tuset at Cellers Avgvst Forum in El Vendrell, DO Penedès (9 August). As well as music, participants will have a chance to tour the wineries and taste their wines. Time: 20:00 Price: From €34

2-16 August. For the sixth consecutive year, Divendres Divins brings together six Catalan appellations plus DO Costers del Segre as guest in an initiative that combines wine and music. This month begins with wines from DO Costers del Segre and the presence of Noemie Delavennat i White Boy White on stage at the monastery of Vallbona de les Monges followed by wines from Priorat and 4Soul at La Cartoixa de Escaladei and ends on August 16th at Prat de Compte (Terra Alta) with Alexandre Bonanit and Gemma Balagué “Fardatxa”. Time: 19:30 Price: €5

2-23 August. As part of its 12 Summer Experiences, Valenciso in La Rioja hosts several activities this month such as yoga outdoors by the vineyard (2 August), cheese tasting with Guillermina Sánchez-Cerezo from La Arboleda del Sur in Ezcaray (6 August), a music concert at the winery in Ollauri with proceeds going to two charities (10 August), aroma tasting with perfume expert Isabel Guerrero at Restaurant Abantos in Sojuela Gulf Course (13 August), a tasting of six white wines from the old world and the new world conducted by Luis Valentín (16 August), a private tour of the Romanesque church of Santa María de la Piscina (20 August) and a guided tour of Ollauri and night visit to the winery with owners Luis Valentín and Carmen Enciso. Location: Valenciso in Ollauri (Ctra. 313 Ollauri-Nájera, km.0,4). Check prices on the link above. Booking is essential on +34 941 304 724

7-11 August. Holiday makers and visitors in Castilla y León can check out Sonorama in Aranda de Duero. This music festival, on its 22nd edition, will have on stage indie bands such Miss Cafeina, Taburete, Tequila, Love of Lesbian, Berri Txarrak, Fuel Fandango, Fangoria o Crystal Fighters, among others. On August 9th and 10th there will be tastings of Ribera del Duero wines to be held at the underground cellar of Centro Cultural Caja de Burgos, in two sessions (12:00 and 13:00). To attend, just be there half an hour in advance.  Para asistir hay que acudir media dora antes del comienzo. Price: From €35 per day. Season ticket: €75

7-17 August. The imposing sherry bodegas of Los Gigantes and Los Apóstoles owned by producer González Byass in Jerez de la Frontera will host the fourth edition of Tío Pepe Festival, featuring some eternal glories in the national and international music scene such as Ana Belén, Pastora Soler, Alan Parsons Project and Jethro Tull. After the acts, dinner will be served including wines from the González Byass wineries.. Tickets can be purchased from €30. As well as the concerts, very well-known Spanish chefs like Ricard Camarena or Toño Pérez (Atrio) among others, will offer a fine-dining experience.

9-24 August. The annual summer tastings at Taberna der Guerrita are a classic for wine aficionados visiting Sanlúcar de Barrameda. This month’s tastings start with Alejandro Muchada and David Léclapart (9th, 20:00), Paco Berciano and wines from Burgundy (10th, 12:30), Armando Guerra and special vinifications (23rd, 20:00) and Primitivo Collantes and his wines from Chiclana (24th, 12:30). Further information and bookings on +34 697 826 096

11 August. Identifying groups and families of aromas is part of the summer offering of  Bodegas Portia in Ribera del Duero as it hosts an aroma workshop to awaken the olfactory senses. The activity includes a tour of the winery, the workshop, a snack and a tasting of four wines. Price: €20

13 August. Viña Costeira hosts the Night of the Perseides at Pazo de Toubes in Cenlle (Ourense) with an acrobatics and fire show as well as a dinner paired with the wines of the winery, cocktails, guided stargazing and DJ. Time: 20:00- 02:00 Price: €50 (The trip for the winery to the Pazo is included)

18 and 29 August. As part of its 25th anniversary celebrations, the restaurant La Vieja Bodega in Casalarreina (La Rioja) hosts a dinner with the voice and music of Camerata Iberia (18th) and a concert with Aurora & The Betrayers Rock & Roll (29th). Time: 21:30 Precio: 50 € Bookings on +34 941 324 254

24 August. Ribeiro Son de Viño, an event combining music and wine from Ribeiro is usually held in July but this year, organizers have scheduled a new date in A Coruña, at Fundación Luis Seoane. Festival goers will be able to taste wines from Ribeiro and listen to bands such as Cupido, Natalia Ferviú and Adriana Proenza. Time: 12.30 - 00.30 Free entrance until 19:00. From 20.00 onwards, tickets must be purchased.

25 August. Bodega Bentomiz, located in Sayalonga (Málaga), continues with its cycle of wine and music in August featuring a gourmet dinner, wine and flamenco. Bar opens at 19:00 and the concert will be held at 22:30 Price: €70 Bookings on +34 658 845 286

29 August. Wine store Sorbo in Ponferrada (Ancha, 19) hosts a presentation about the cultural and leisure activities organized in the region by Bierzo Enoturismo, ACEVIN and Rutas del Vino de España. Time: 21:00. Entrance is free. Further information on sorbovino@gmail.com or calling +34 650765644

29 August - 1 September. Bodegas Franco-Españolas in Logroño hosts an new edition of Muwi Rioja Fest, a festival with indie Spanish bands such as Viva Suecia, Delafe, Hidrogenesse, Angel Stanich or Miqui Puig, among others. As well as concerts, festival-goers will  be able to visit the winery, take part in tastings and in making their own wine at the Bordón Experience, a photo exhibition, pop-up stands with young designers, foodtrucks, Rioja food tastings and children’s play area. Tickets start from €10 per day (€48 for the full event)

31 August. The village of Lanciego, in Rioja Alavesa, hosts its second producers' conference with an interesting round table with various producers from Rioja Alavesa - Sonsierra as diverse  as Abel Mendoza, Arturo de Miguel (Artuke), David Sampedro (Bhilar), José Antonio Meruelo (Lar de Paula), Juan Luis Cañas (Familia Luis Cañas), Pablo Eguzkiza (Lanzaga, Cía Telmo Rodríguez) and Roberto Oliván (Tentenublo). The discussion will be moderated by Alberto Gil, journalist at local newspaper La Rioja. After the debate in the town hall there will be a tasting of village wines in the church square of Lanciego (Rioja Alavesa) with wines from the following producers: Azpillaga Urarte, Blanco Pérez de Azpillaga, Luis R, El Mozo Wines, Gerardo Viteri, Gonzamendi, Mendieta Osaba and Tentenublo. Time:17:30 (Debate) 19:30-21:00 (Tasting). Free entrance

Do you know of any interesting wine events which are not on this list? Are you a restaurateur or retailer who organises tastings or wine events for the general public? Send us your calendar to info@spanishwinelover.com