Wine tastings in September 2021

Many areas of Spain are already immersed in the grape harvest. As was the case in 2020, the virus is restricting celebrations of the annual grape harvest festivities, at least in their traditional format, although there are events to mark this special time of the year in several wine-growing areas across the country.

1, 8, 15 and 22 September. Bodegas Valenciso in Ollauri (La Rioja) hosts webinars every Wednesday in September with four professionals from different sectors. The first one will be the storyteller and expert in cultural mediation Carles García Domingo; journalist Carlos Fresneda will talk about ecology and oenology (8th), Mikel Zeberio about "200 unknowns of an equation called chop" (15th) and Carmen Alvo from the blog Guisándome la Vida will explain two clever and easy recipes to cook with wine (22nd). The webinars are free of charge. Time: 19:30. To book your seat call +34 941 304 724

3-4 and 7-9 September. The Peruvian artist Charo Artadi presents at the Francisco Duayer art gallery in Madrid (Maldonado, 44) her exhibition Con Viento Fresco, a series of paintings and lithographs created with grape skins, lees, dirt and stones from the Garnacha vineyards that Ziries grows in the mountains of Toledo. The inauguration is on September 3rd for wine professionals (confirmation required on +34 639502147) and on the 4th for the general public at 20:00 with free access. From the 7th to the 9th, the opening hours are from 16:30 to 20:00.

3 - 5 September. The districts of A Arnoia, Castrelo de Miño and Cenlle in Galicia organise Espírito Ribeiro with magic tricks, music shows and stand-up comedy, as well as tapas and wine from local wineries and colleiteiros and a local market. 

3 - 5 September. The 2nd edition of the Mahasti Artean festival combines txakoli with music, gastronomy, culture, sport and nature in an attractive programme of winery tours, open-air concerts, bird watching, show cooking, tastings, a visit to the studio of the painter Jesús Mari Lazkano and a Pintxos Competition. The activities are held in the vineyards of the DO Bizkaiko Txakolina wineries Amunategi in Busturia, Berroja in Muxika and Itsasmendi in Gernika-Lumo, as well as in Urdaibai Ekoetxea in Busturia, and the Urdaibai Bird Center in Gautegiz-Arteaga. Prices from €12.

Until 10th September. Dénia presents the exhibition "3000 years of Alicante wine culture", which unites history, wine and art. Organised by the Regulatory Board of DO Alicante, the exhibition is intended to travel around different villages in the province and outdoors.

4, 11 and 12 September. Familia Torres presents a handful of plans to enjoy the grape harvest in its vineyards in Pacs del Penedès. They are a family harvest at the Mas La Plana estate preceded by a traditional breakfast in the vineyard; From the vine to the glass, a sensory experience in the vineyard tasting grapes and the wines made from the same varieties, a harvest picnic and a harvest dinner in El Celleret garden, surrounded by vineyards and with live music. Both activities end with a visit to the winery. Price: From €2 . Reservations by phone +34 938 17 73 30 or by e-mail reservas@torres.es

4 - 19 September. Jerez’s Harvest Festival or Fiesta de la Vendimia starts with the foot-treading of the grapes at the city’s cathedral (20:00) and continues with numerous wine-related activities such as guided tours, a wine-themed heritage route through the city, 4x4 routes through the vineyards and tastings in the Alcázar of the appellation's wineries, among other attractions.

5-26 September. Fifteen Penedès wineries host La Verema del Cava during the weekends of September with various activities in the vineyards such as Nordic walking sessions, breakfast in the Covides vineyard (5th), harvest of Xarel.lo grapes with picnic in Vilarnau (12th), tasting of organic grapes and cavas at Juve y Camps (19th), and vineyard walks with live music at Rovellats (25th). Prices vary depending on the activity.

10, 11 and 18 September. The Cultural Association Jazz Amontillado in Montilla presents Montijazz, an activity that combines jazz and fortified wine culture with performances by Four Women, Alba Careta, David Ruiz Septeto, Dry Martina and Zoot Suiters. The shows will take place at Bodegas Alvear and Cooperativa La Unión (18th). Time: 21:00 Price: from €18

11 September. Pruno Day returns to Finca Villacreces in Ribera del Duero with a wine bar, DJ, food trucks, tastings, live music and vineyard tours. Time: 11:30 - 19:00 Price: €65. There will be a bus shuttle service from Valladolid and Peñafiel.

11, 18 and 25 September. Espacio Lagares in Logroño hosts Maridajes Imposibles, a series of tastings that will take place every Saturday until November. Wineries from Logroño such as Viña Ijalba, Arizcuren, Ontañón, Franco-Españolas and Olarra will participate with their wines accompanied by tapas prepared by some of the city's best-known bars. There will also be live performances. Time: 20:00 Price: from €20 

13 September. Viticulture and the challenges of climate change will be the subject of the next tasting organised by the Sommeliers' Association of Navarra. Gonzalo Sáenz de Samaniego (Ostatu) and Juan Carlos Vizcarra, from the eponymous winery in Ribera del Duero, will share their vision and four of their wines. Time: 19:00 Venue: Hotel Don Carlos, on the outskirts of Pamplona  Price: €35 Information and registration at actividades@sumilleresdenavarra.com

16, 22 and 30 September. Enoteca Barolo in Madrid (Príncipe de Vergara, 211) hosts three tastings this month. The first one is of Pyrenean cheeses paired with wine (€50); Andalusian white wines on the 22nd (€40) while the one on the 30th is reserved for Bordeaux wines from the 2015 vintage (€75). The tastings are directed by Juanma Ruiz Casado, with the presence of Salvador Valero from Bon Frommage at the cheese tasting. Time: 20:30

18 September. The Empordà cellar Espelt Viticultors hosts a traditional harvest day at their vineyards in Vilajuïga cutting grape bunches by hand and stomping them with the feet before enjoying a lunch al fresco with organic sausages, bread with tomato and the wines of the winery. Time. Hora: 10:00 Precio: € 22 adults / € 10 € children aged 4-12.

18, 23 and 25 September. Sommelier Pilar Cruces, from Lust for Wine, brings back her on site tastings in Burgos, always full of good humour and warmth. The first one, which pairs five wines with five tapas and five vinyls, will be at La Cuca (C/ Puebla, 17) at 13:30 (€25). The 23rd will be dedicated to Bordeaux (20:30-21:45) while on the 25th there will be an introductory workshop (10:00 - 14:00). These last two activities will take place in the Lust for Wine Room and the cost of each one is €45 (€42 for Lust for Wine Club members). For more information and bookings, contact Pilar on +34 638 661 408

19 and 26 September and 3 and 10 October. Bodegas Menade in Rueda is organising a family harvest for anyone wanting to try the experience of picking grapes. In addition to the work, there will be a glass of Menade Verdejo for adults and must of the day for children and a meal at their restaurant La Cantina accompanied by wines from the winery. Time: 12:00-14:30 Price: €30 /adults and Children +6 years old: €15.

21, 23 and 30 September. The Spanish Tasters Union in Madrid (Lope de Vega, 27) presents three different tastings this month. The first one is about the Merenzao (Trousseau) variety with wines such as Estaladiña by Mengoba, Bastarda by Fedellos do Couto, Alpendre by Ronsel do Sil, Risco by Algueira, 100 Montañas Verdejo Negro by Bodegas Vidas, Cantariña 6 Merenzao and Mara Moura Rosado; the second will be on the Portuguese variety Castelao and the third on Spanish rosés, with wines by Marqués de Riscal, Ramón Bilbao, Scala Dei, Jorge Monzón, Celler del Roure, Maquina y Tabla, Jose Luis Ripa, the new wine made by Xandra Falco and Sierra Cantabria or the Jerez labels of Vinos Oceánicos. Time: 19:00- 21:00 Price: from €35 for non-members. Bookings on the following telephone number +34 914 291 238

23 and 30 September. DO Yecla starts a series of online debates on different aspects of the wine sector that will start with a round table entitled Como superar la barrera de las cuatro erres en el vino (How to break through the barrier of the four R's in wine) where the challenges of selling wine from unconventional areas will be discussed with the participation of Juan José Marcos, manager of La Ruta del Vino, Carmen Zarrabeitia, from Cavinsa, Miguel Ángel Fernández, from Delgado Selección, Mateo Seoane, from Bodeus Delicatessen (A Coruña), Maite Corsín, founder of Moving Wines and Jose Manuel Elvira, founder of The Foodie Experience. The event is free and will be held on Zoom. To join, click on the link above.  Time: 18:00 The second debate will be on the 30th at 17:00 and will deal with the phenomenon of wine influencers.

24-26 September. The fourth edition of Ribera del Duero’s Great Harvest Festival takes place in Aranda de Duero with the traditional grape treading and tasting of the first must, stands with local wines and live music. Actress Macarena Gómez will present the event.

25 September. The Territorio Luthier winery in Aranda de Duero presents a gospel concert followed by a three-course brunch accompanied by three glasses of wine. Time: 12:00 Price: €35 More information and reservations by phone +34 644 707782

25 and 28 September. The Artean Wines education centre organises this month a couple of activities of interest for professionals and wine enthusiasts. Taught by Teresa Guilarte, on the 25th there will be an advanced course on Sherry Wines endorsed by the Regulatory Board with a final exam and official certificate, while on the 28th the winemaker Pilar García-Granero will present a seminar on German wines with a tasting of seven cuvées. Both activities will take place at Espacio Pangea in Bilbao (Gregorio de la Revilla, 25).

27 September. Hotel Alfonso XIII in Seville hosts the fourth edition of Experiencia Verema where wines from around twenty Spanish producers will be available for tasting. There will also be a commented tasting of Osborne wines. Timetable: 12:00-15:00 and 17:00-21:00 Price of the show: €10 online and €15 on the day.  

28 September.The wine bar La Vinya del Senyor in the central Santa María del Mar square in Barcelona presents Sommelier Invitado  with the presence of renowned sommeliers who will lure punters to taste their selection of wines by the glass. Andrés Conde Laya, from La Cigaleña in Santander, is today's guest. Time: 17:00 - 22:00 Price: varies according to the wine you drink. There is no charge for attending the session, which is not a closed tasting.