Wine tastings in August 2023

Relax is the buzzword in August. Most of the wine-related activities this month are music festivals that help to incorporate our favourite beverage into our leisure time. Much of the country is on holiday mood this month, but there are still places in Spain where wine lovers can go to taste and enjoy good wines, such as Sanlúcar, where Taberna der Guerrita continues with its spectacular wine tasting programme, or Valenciso in Rioja.

2, 3, 10 and 17 August. The tastings at Taberna der Guerrita, a classic event in the summer calendar for wine enthusiasts, continues in Sanlúcar de Barrameda with Callejuela (2nd), wine merchant Paco Berciano of Alma Vinos Únicos (día 3), Cristina Osuna and the wines of Toro Albalá (10th) and Armando Guerra with vintage wines from Sherry Country (17th). Tastings start at 19:30. Price per tasting: € 80 Additional information and bookings in the link above.

2-6 August. The Fiesta del Albariño, which takes place in Cambados (Pontevedra) since 1953, is a popular event with pop concerts, dancing parties and circus and magic 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.

3-6 August. The Somontano 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, winery visits and a tasting workshop for young people with Joaquín Galvez, Wineman (3th, 18:00). You can sign up for this workshop by calling +34 974306875. More details about the festival in the link above.

4 and 11 August. Divendres Divins in an initiative that combines wine and music. This month the sites are La Cartoixa d’Escaladei and the Pinell de Brai cooperative with a tribute to Cèsar Martinell. Time: 19:30 Price: €10

4-14 August. The Patio de la Tonelería or bodega Las Copas at González Byass in Jerez will host a new edition of Tío Pepe Festival, featuring some eternal glories in the national scene such as Luz Casal, Sole Giménez, Estrella Morente or Tomatito. Gastronomy will be represented by the restaurants Nublo from Haro (8th) and Abac (9th). More details about the festival in the link above.

4 and 24 August. Armando Guerra will lead a tasting at Bodegas Barbadillo in Sanlúcar de Barrameda starting at the Manzanilla Museum before stopping at La Arboledilla to taste the wines ÁS de Mirabrás, Manzanilla ÁS Sumatorio and two types of Manzanilla Solear. The visit will then move on to Bodega Sevilla to taste two different butts of Manzanilla Solear en Rama Saca Estacional. Afterwards, Amontillado Príncipe will be tasted in the Mil Pesetas cellar, to finish in the VORS solera with an old Amontillado. Time: 20:00 Price: €35 On the 24th, Guerra will lead a gastronomic tour in three different areas of the cellar with a tasting of three types of manzanilla paired with three dishes prepared by Espacio Décimo Arte. Time: 21:30 Price: €55

6, 20 and 27 August. Pagos del Rey Wine Museum in Morales de Toro (Zamora) presents Domingos Frissé in its outdoor terrace, with music from the 80s and 90s, flamenco fusion and a tribute to Héroes del Silencio with the band Maldito Duende.  Time: 13:00. Price: €12 includes concert, visit to the museum and tasting of Pagos del Rey and Frissé wines. Book in advance on +34 980 69 67 63.

9 August. The 2nd Lumbrales Wine Show, called Sabores de Frontera, will feature 19 guest producers in this small town in Salamanca with a long-standing wine-growing tradition. There will be producers from nearby regions such as Dominio del Noveno, Quinta Las Velas, Inma Vadillo Viticultora, Pedro Gajate, Héroe Sin Capa, Viña Romana and the event organisers Corazón Continto (Lumbrales); from Sayago, in Zamora: Almaroja, Principia Naturalis, El Hato y El Garabato and Bendita Dinámica; from the Sierra de Salamanca: Viñas Serranas and Vinos al Margen; from various regions of Zamora: Castromendi, Bendita Locura and Dominio del Bendito; from other Spanish areas: Boticario de Silos and Villota and from Tras-Os-Montes in Portugal: Arribas Wine Company. Place: Casa de los Condes and surrounding streets. Time: 18:00 - 23:00 Price: €5.

9-13 August. Holiday makers and visitors in Castilla y León can check out Sonorama in Aranda de Duero. This music festival will have on stage dozens of artists such as Jorge Drexler, Vetusta Morla, Morgan, Jimena Amarillo, Lori Meyers, Amaral, Wilco, Sidonie, Los Enemigos, Rodrigo Cuevas, Nena Daconte or Ojete Calor, among others. In addition to a couple of wine bars with Ribera del Duero wines at the festival, there will also be wine tastings.

10 August. The winery Viña Costeira hosts the Noche de las Perseidas, popularly known as the tears of San Lorenzo, in the Pazo de Toubes with live music, shows, a guided astronomy observation and food and wine. Time: 19:30- 01:00 Price: €98. More information on telephone +34 648 237 385

10-31 August. As part of its summer experiences, Valenciso in Rioja hosts several activities this month such as Taste and sound encounters in several hotels in Rioja Alta (10th, 18th and 31st), live music under the stars (12th), a vertical tasting of Valenciso Blanco (16th) and a guided tour of Ollauri and a night visit to the winery with Luis Valentín and Carmen Enciso (18th). Where: Valenciso in Ollauri (Ctra. 313 Ollauri-Nájera, km.0,4) and hotels. Check prices on the link above. Reservations must be made by telephone: +34 941 304 724

11 August. The winery Jean Leon in Penedès also celebrates the Perseids meteor shower. Attendees will be able to watch the stars with a telescope and there will also be a master class with astronomer Joan Anton Català. There will also be music, wines produced at the winery (Jean Leon 3055 Chardonnay, Jean Leon 3055 Rosé and Jean Leon Vinya Palau Merlot), and an open-air dinner. Time:19:45 Price: € 65

18-20 August. The festival Esférica Rioja Alavesa, held in the region for the third year, includes performances in venues such as Bodegas Ysios or Félix M Samaniego park in Laguardia. Artists such as Morcheeba, Gatibu, Morgan or Orancle Sisters,among others, will be on the stage. There will also be exhibitions, themed tastings and local food. There will be a bus to move between the different venues. Tickets from €30.

19 August. Torroja del Priorat hosts its traditional Nit de Vins with the presence of the following wineries based in this village in Tarragona province: Bravo Escós, Aixalà i Alcait, Cristian Francès Bretón, Escoda Pallejà, Sabaté Franquet, L’Infernal, Sabaté i Mur Vinaters and Terroir al Límit as well as three guest producers: Costers del Priorat, Celler Família Torres Priorat and Perinet. Time: 19:00 - 24:00 Price: €15.

26 August. The IV Lanciego Wine Day (Rioja Alavesa) includes this year a popular tasting with 11 local producers (19:30 - 21:30) and four  tastings (17:00 - 19:00) guided by Luis Rodríguez and Jesús García (Luis R), Eduardo Pérez de Azpillaga (Azpillaga Urarte), Roberto Oliván (Tentenublo Wines) and Juantxu Medieta (Mendieta Osaba). This is the WhatsApp number to register for the tastings: +34 629 951210. Prices: €6 popular tasting and €10 each guided tasting.

26 August. Damajuana wine bar (Francos, 18) in Jerez de la Frontera hosts La Verbena, a partnership between Albariza en las Venas and Gloria Vendimia. There will be local wines, live music, a wine-themed T-shirt stall, draws, sorteos and the broadcast of the third season of La Picaeta, a food and wine podcast. Time: 20:00 Free entrance.

26 August. The sixth edition of Vilella Baixa Wine Tasting takes place tonight with the presence of three local producers (Vinícola del Priorat, Celler Sabaté and Celler Vil.lusionistes) as well as two guest producers: La Conreria and Ficaria. There will also be artisan products, food and music. Time: 21:00

31 August. Vinoteca Vinicia in Lleida (Humbert Torres, 19) presents today a tasting of white wines from the seven subzones of DO Costers del Segre. Time: 21:00 Price: €25 (discounts for members). Book your spot on club@vinicia.es.

31 August - 3 September. Bodegas Franco-Españolas in Logroño hosts a new edition of Muwi Rioja Fest, a festival with indie Spanish bands such as La Moda, Iván Ferreiro, Quique González, Varry Brava or Tiki Phantoms, among others. As well as concerts, festival-goers will be able to visit the winery, take part in tastings of Tempranillo and Garnacha, lunchtime vermouth, a photo exhibition, foodtrucks, Rioja food tastings and children’s play area. Day tickets from €40