The Rías Baixas Route is a unique proposal for wine tourism lovers. Its non-profit association is taking part in FINE 2023 with its wide range of tourist attractions, thanks to the support of institutions such as the Pontevedra Provincial Council. This route is the most sought-after destination for national wine tourists for their next visit.

In addition to showing the tradition and avant-garde in the production of Rías Baixas wines, it is also characterised by the sustainability of its natural landscapes made up of estuaries and rivers, impressive gardens, a rich heritage, as well as a varied gastronomy accompanied by the friendly and hospitable culture of Galician society.

Five regions form the heart of Rías Baixas

The Rías Baixas Wine Route is made up of five areas: Condado do Tea, O Rosal, Val do Salnés, and Soutomaior, located in the province of Pontevedra; and Ribeira do Ulla, in the south of the province of A Coruña.

These areas coincide with those of the Rías Baixas Designation of Origin, famous for its Albariño wine. But this route offers wine tourists an added bonus of experiences, as it integrates a rich cultural heritage, fishing villages, traditional pazos, eclectic gardens, unique nature with native forests…

That is why it is the most desired route by Spanish wine tourists for their next visit, according to the latest Tourism Demand Analysis Report, carried out by the Tourism Observatory of the Wine Routes of Spain.

All possible services are within reach

The association currently has 94 members. Among them are 49 wineries, which can be visited; two distilleries; 18 tourist accommodations ranging from rural houses or a national parador, to hotels with charm or spa; ten restaurants (one of them also an enoteca); four museums related to local activity such as this Atlantic wine, lamprey or work in the countryside, as well as some leisure companies.

Source: Ruta de las Rías Baixas

No matter the time of year

This misleading term means that the Rías Baixas Route offers all kinds of activities, regardless of the time of year. In winter, through its beautiful camellia gardens. This flower of Asian origin, which has a long tradition in Galicia, fills with colour places such as Pazo de Rubianes, Pazo Quinteiro da Cruz and Soutomaior Castle, whose gardens are part of the Camellia Route of Galicia, and are recognised as being of International Excellence.

Speaking of tea, any spring afternoon can be ideal to enjoy the tea ceremony in a beautiful garden in the heart of the Rías Baixas Wine Route. Stroll through the vineyards in full bloom and end the day contemplating the sunset overlooking the estuary or on a beautiful terrace enjoying a Rías Baixas wine.

Summer can be unforgettable on this Wine Route which, as well as offering white sandy beaches and crystal-clear water, has restaurants with zero-kilometre products. Any time of year is a good time to visit one of its associated wineries. But in the summer, the vineyards are in the middle of the ripening process and are full of bunches of grapes of local varieties. September is harvest time, and some wineries open their doors for visitors to enjoy the grape harvest.

Source: Ruta de las Rías Baixas

Autumn, with its ochre tones and falling leaves, marks the beginning of the vegetative or winter rest of the vines. Enjoying long walks under the bower, visiting orchards or native forests are the perfect excuse to lose yourself on this Wine Route. The Portuguese Way of Santiago or the Arousa Sea Route also pass through the area, making them ideal for hiking. Another option is a boat trip along the estuary.

Cycling enthusiasts can also visit the Rías Baixas Wine Route by bicycle. “Enoturismo a pedales” is a project made up of four cycling routes that run through the sub-areas of Condado do Tea, O Rosal and Val do Salnés. These routes are available on the Wikiloc and Komoot platforms.

A well-deserved worldwide fame

Located in the northwest of Spain, in Galicia, the Rías Baixas Wine Route has received numerous awards such as the FIJET award for the Best Wine Tourism Route in Spain at Fitur 2022. This recognition was not the only one, as this Route was also distinguished as Ambassador of the Destination Rías Baixas-Pontevedra Province 2022 by the Provincial Council. A year that closed with another award in the category of Tourism: the Emilia Pardo Bazán no País das Rías.

This success is due to the fact that, since its creation in 1996, the Rías Baixas Wine Route has evolved exponentially, both in number of visits and in the involvement of its associates in order to offer the best services to its clients. For this reason, this Route has 21 associated establishments with the “Q for Quality” certification.

To this list we can also add the recent acknowledgements to the Martín Códax company, chosen as the Best Winery Open to Tourism in Spain in the VI Wine Tourism Awards ‘Wine Routes of Spain’ and where the Hotel Quinta de San Amaro received a Special Mention as Best Wine Tourism Experience. In short, a quality Atlantic wine tourism that is perceived as such by the visitor.