Yesterday we went on our last excursion. This one was to a bodega (winery) in the city of Peñafiel, which is in the Ribera del Duero wine region of Spain. Spain is known for its wine production. There are vineyards everywhere, so you can't go to Spain without trying the wine.
The name of this winery is Protos. They have two wineries. There's an old cueva (cave) and then also a much newer, modern building.
The name of this winery is Protos. They have two wineries. There's an old cueva (cave) and then also a much newer, modern building.
We started in the old section, which is inside a mountain. Being inside the cave, surrounded by rock, the temperature is perfect for wine-making.
They have over 14,000 barrels of wine, and although the inside of the mountain was full of corridors of wine barrels, it still isn’t large enough to store everything. From there, we walked through more rooms used to store the barrels.
They have over 14,000 barrels of wine, and although the inside of the mountain was full of corridors of wine barrels, it still isn’t large enough to store everything. From there, we walked through more rooms used to store the barrels.
After walking through the caves, we followed a tunnel under the road that connected the old bodega to the new one. Our guide pointed out the vinoductos (like aqueducts, but instead of transporting water, they are transporting wine!) that connect the new winery to the old one.
From there, our guide took us to where the bottles were stored. Every crate held over 100 bottles. After the wine is aged in the barrels, it is then aged in the bottles- typically for at least 6 months.
We went from the underground area where the wine is stored to the main floor
This new building was built by the architect Richard Rogers, who also designed Madrid airport’s Terminal 4. .
This new building was built by the architect Richard Rogers, who also designed Madrid airport’s Terminal 4. .
At the end of our tour, we enjoyed some tapas of chorizo sausage, cured ham, cheese, and bread, along with a desgustación (tasting) of 4 wines. A blanco verdejo (white), un rosado (a rose), un vino tinto joven roble (a newer red that was in the barrel for 6 months and bottle for 6 months), and then finally un crianza (a more mature red that spent 14 months in a barrel). As we tasted each wine, our guide described to us the process that each wine went through to be made and we discussed the different aromas and tastes.
This ended our tour, and afterwards we got the chance to do a bit of shopping. Many bought a bottle or two of some of the wine that we tried. It makes a great souvenir to bring home!!
This ended our tour, and afterwards we got the chance to do a bit of shopping. Many bought a bottle or two of some of the wine that we tried. It makes a great souvenir to bring home!!