The Camino Francés passes through Navarra, La Rioja and El Bierzo, while our Camino Portugués Stage 1 begins in Porto, with Vinho Verde country to the north and the Douro Valley inland.
We arrange your hotels with breakfast, daily luggage transfers and emergency support, so you can focus on the walk and enjoy each evening.
At a glance:
- The Camino Francés passes through several of northern Spain’s best-known wine regions.
- Logroño celebrates the San Mateo and Rioja Wine Harvest Festival in late September.
- La Rioja is known for Tempranillo, while El Bierzo is closely associated with Mencía.
- The Alto Douro is a UNESCO World Heritage wine region known for Port and unfortified Douro wines.
- Rías Baixas is renowned for crisp, aromatic Albariño.
What Wine Can You Expect Along the Camino?
After your daily walk, a glass of local wine can be one of the Camino’s simplest pleasures. You can expect Tempranillo, Mencía, Txakoli, Albariño, Vinho Verde and Port, depending on the route and towns you visit.
Irouléguy Region
The Camino Francés begins in St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, close to the Irouléguy wine area. This region produces mainly roses and red wine similar to Madiran but does have a few notable whites as well.
Some of the most well-known producers in the area are Domaine Abotia, Domaine Ameztia, Domaine Arretxea, but there are also numerous cooperatives on a smaller scale. Try a local glass before crossing the Pyrenees.
Navarra Region
After crossing the Pyrenees, the Camino Francés continues west through Navarra. The region is less internationally recognised than neighbouring La Rioja, but it has a long wine-growing history. Navarra is known for rosé wines and also produces full-bodied reds that pair well with an evening meal.
País Vasco
On the Camino del Norte, the path passes through the Basque Country. Coastal Basque wine usually means Txakoli, a dry, high-acid wine that is often white and may have a slight spritz. Bilbao and San Sebastián are good places to try it with pintxos.
La Rioja Region
La Rioja is one of Spain’s best-known wine regions, and the Camino Francés passes through its capital, Logroño. Tempranillo is the region’s main red grape and is often blended with Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo. Local wines and pintxos make Logroño a practical place to sample the region’s food and drink.
Logroño’s Wine Harvest Festival
Logroño’s San Mateo and Rioja Wine Harvest Festival takes place around 21 September, making late September a lively time to visit the city. For a broader view of conditions throughout the year, read our month-by-month Camino guide.
Ribera del Duero
Ribera del Duero lies south of the Camino Francés rather than directly on the trail. Tempranillo, known locally as Tinta del País or Tinto Fino, is its main grape. The region has more than 300 wineries, and its wines are widely available across Castilla y León.
El Bierzo
Between the Meseta and the mountains of Galicia, the Camino Francés crosses El Bierzo near Ponferrada. Mencía is the region’s main red grape, and its vineyards include soils containing clay, quartzite and slate. This gives you another distinct local wine style to try before the route enters Galicia.
Ribeira Sacra
Ribeira Sacra lies south-east of Santiago, away from the main Camino Francés. Steep terraced vineyards rise above the Sil and Miño river valleys. Mencía is the best-known red grape, alongside Merenzao, Brancellao and Sousón.
Alto Douro
The Alto Douro, located in the north of Portugal, is one of the world’s oldest wine regions and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But that only begins to tell the story of this area filled with staggering landscapes of rivers, gorges, vineyard terraces and vibrant colours.
Porto as Your Gateway
If you’re walking the Camino Portugués, Porto is closely linked with the Douro wine trade, while the Alto Douro vineyards lie inland along the river. Port is the region’s best-known wine, and producers also make unfortified red and white Douro wines.
Rías Baixas
On the Camino Portugués, sections through Pontevedra province pass through the wider Rías Baixas wine area before Santiago. The region takes its name from the coastal inlets known as rías. Albariño is its best-known grape, producing crisp, aromatic white wines.
Other Wines from Galicia and Northern Portugal
Ribeiro and Valdeorras are two more Galician wine regions to know. Across the Portuguese border, the Vinho Verde region covers much of north-west Portugal and produces a wide range of styles, including fresh white wines that work well after a day’s walk.
As you let that backpack hit the floor for the final time in Santiago de Compostela, a chilled Albariño is the perfect way to toast a job well done. If you plan to stay longer, see our guide to the top places to visit in Santiago de Compostela.
Explore our Camino walking holidays to find the route that suits your pace, interests and available time.
