Ribera de Duero
" The Ribera de Duero" is relatively young, having been established in 1982, although its ties to wine date back to ancient times, including the Roman era. Before the RoThe Ribera del Duero Designation of Origin (DO) mans, the Vacceos, a pre-Roman people who inhabited the region, were already consuming wine, though it's unclear if they also produced it.
The Climate
Ribera del Duero has a Mediterranean climate with strong continental influences and some Atlantic touches. Rainfall is scarce, between 450 and 500 liters per year, and there is a high level of sunshine. Summers are dry, with cool nights, while winters are harsh and prolonged.
Grape Varieties
The undisputed star grape of Ribera del Duero is Tempranillo, locally known as "Tinto Fino." In Ribera, this grape is particularly small with a thick skin, thanks to its slow maturation at high altitudes and the poor quality of the soils. Other red varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec (all of French origin), are used in smaller percentages in blends.
The harvest in Ribera del Duero is mostly done by hand, aiming to capture the full expression of vines, some of which are over 80 years old and make up about 10% of the vineyard.
The Ribera del Duero Designation of Origin begins about 30 km east of Valladolid, a city well-connected by highway. The A-62 links up with the A-6 in Tordesillas and connects Valladolid, Palencia, and the A-1 in Burgos.
The largest city in Ribera del Duero is Aranda de Duero, located in the province of Burgos, along the A-1. Aranda is about 160 km north of Madrid and 87 km south of Burgos.
If you don't have a car, you can take a train to Valladolid (the AVE from Madrid takes less than an hour) or a direct bus to Aranda de Duero.
Offers for Ribera de Duero
Singular Wine Tasting & Tour begins beneath the historic Castle of Peñafiel, in our aging cellar, where you'll be welcomed with a glass of Aire de Protos. Immerse yourself in the rich history of Protos through an impressive video mapping show. Next, explore the extensive underground galleries carved into the mountain, leading to the renowned, contemporary winery designed by the world-renowned architect Richard Rogers.
- The experience includes a guided tasting of our signature wine, Aire de Protos, followed by an exclusive tasting in our private room, where you'll savor Protos Cuvée, Protos Reserva, and Protos Gran Reserva.
- To enhance the experience, we offer a gourmet appetizer featuring local sausages. At the end of the visit, everyone will be presented with a nice souvenir from Bodegas Protos.
Minors are not allowed to this visit
The tour begins in the aging cellar, located beneath the Castle of Peñafiel, with a welcome glass of Aire de Protos. You will watch a video mapping presentation to learn about our history. The tour then continues with a journey through the extensive underground galleries, carved inside the mountain, before visiting the new winery designed by architect Richard Rogers.