Spain’s Hidden Wine Gems: Where to Taste in 2026

1. Priorat: The Wild, Rugged Soul of Catalan Wine

Where: DOQ Priorat, Catalonia

Why Go: If wine had a personality, Priorat’s would be fierce, untamed, and a little bit mysterious. This is a place where the vines cling to steep slate slopes, where the sun beats down relentlessly, and where the wines—deep, dark, and mineral-driven—taste like the earth itself.

Bodega Mas Doix (Poboleda)

📍 Address: Carrer de la Font, 12, 43737 Poboleda, Tarragona

⏰ Hours: Visits by appointment only (contact via website)

🍷 Why It’s Special: Mas Doix is one of those wineries that makes you believe in magic. The estate has been in the Doix family for generations, but it wasn’t until the 1990s that they began bottling their own wines. Today, their old-vine Garnacha and Cariñena (Carignan) produce some of the most profound wines in Priorat—intense, elegant, and brimming with dark fruit and mineral complexity.

When I visited, I was struck by the sheer drama of the landscape. The vineyards here are planted on terraces carved into the steep hillsides, and the soil—black slate known as licorella—glitters in the sunlight. The family’s passion is palpable as they guide you through a tasting of their flagship wines, like the Salanques (a rich, velvety blend of Garnacha and Cariñena) or the Doix (a single-vineyard masterpiece).

Pro Tip: Ask about their vinya classificada (classified vineyard) project—it’s a deep dive into the terroir of Priorat that few visitors get to experience.

Clos Mogador (Gratallops)

📍 Address: Carrer de les Eres, 1, 43738 Gratallops, Tarragona

⏰ Hours: Visits by appointment (email or call ahead)

🍷 Why It’s Special: Rene Barbier, the legendary winemaker behind Clos Mogador, is something of a pioneer in Priorat. He was one of the first to recognize the region’s potential in the 1980s, and today, his wines are some of the most sought-after in Spain.

The estate is a mix of old and new—centuries-old vineyards alongside modern, gravity-fed winemaking facilities. The wines here are powerful yet refined, with a signature balance of ripe fruit, spice, and that unmistakable Priorat minerality. The Clos Mogador (a blend of Garnacha, Cariñena, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon) is a must-try, but don’t miss their Manyetes, a single-vineyard Garnacha that’s as elegant as it is intense.

Anecdote: During my visit, Rene’s daughter, also a winemaker, shared a story about how her father used to carry water up the steep hillsides by hand to keep the young vines alive. That kind of dedication is what makes Priorat’s wines so special.

2. Bierzo: Where Mencía Grapes Sing of the Mountains

Where: DO Bierzo, Castilla y León

Why Go: If Priorat is wild and rugged, Bierzo is its poetic, misty cousin. Nestled in the northwest corner of Castilla y León, this region is all rolling hills, ancient slate soils, and a grape called Mencía that produces some of the most aromatic, silky reds in Spain.

Descendientes de J. Palacios (Villafranca del Bierzo)

📍 Address: Carretera de Valtuille, km 1, 24500 Villafranca del Bierzo, León

⏰ Hours: Visits by appointment (book via website)

🍷 Why It’s Special: Álvaro Palacios is a name that commands respect in Spanish wine. After making his mark in Priorat, he turned his attention to Bierzo, where he’s crafting Mencía wines that are nothing short of revelatory.

The winery itself is a blend of tradition and innovation, with vineyards planted on steep, terraced slopes and a modern cellar designed to let the grapes express their pure, unadulterated character. The Pétalos del Bierzo is a fantastic introduction to the region—bright, floral, and bursting with red fruit. But the real showstopper is the Moncerbal, a single-vineyard Mencía that’s so elegant it could make a Burgundy lover weak at the knees.

Sensory Detail: The first time I tasted Moncerbal, I was hit with waves of violet, blackberry, and a whisper of smoky minerality. It’s the kind of wine that makes you close your eyes and sigh.

Bodega Raúl Pérez (Valtuille de Abajo)

📍 Address: Carretera de Valtuille, s/n, 24515 Valtuille de Abajo, León

⏰ Hours: Visits by appointment (email Raúl directly—he’s known to respond personally!)

🍷 Why It’s Special: If Álvaro Palacios is the visionary, Raúl Pérez is the mad genius of Bierzo. A winemaker with an almost fanatical dedication to expressing terroir, Raúl works with tiny parcels of old vines, often using experimental techniques to coax out the most unique expressions of Mencía.

His winery is a lab of creativity, and his wines are like nothing else in Spain. The Ultreia Saint Jacques is a fantastic entry point—juicy, spicy, and impossibly drinkable. But for something truly special, seek out his La Poulosa, a single-vineyard Mencía that’s aged in clay amphorae. It’s earthy, floral, and hauntingly beautiful.

Humor: Raúl is known for his eccentricity—rumor has it he once fermented wine in a bathtub just to see what would happen. (Spoiler: It was delicious.)

3. Ribeira Sacra: The Galician Grand Canyon of Wine

Where: DO Ribeira Sacra, Galicia

Why Go: Imagine a place where vineyards cling to cliffs so steep they have to be farmed by hand, where the river below carves through the landscape like a ribbon, and where the wines—made from Mencía and local white grapes—are as fresh and vibrant as the air itself. That’s Ribeira Sacra.

Bodega Dominio do Bibei (Ribas de Sil)

📍 Address: Lugar de Bibei, s/n, 32770 Ribas de Sil, Ourense

⏰ Hours: Visits by appointment (contact via website)

🍷 Why It’s Special: Dominio do Bibei is one of those wineries that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into another world. The estate is a patchwork of tiny, terraced vineyards scattered across the steep hillsides of the Sil River canyon. The wines here are a testament to the power of place—Mencía that’s bright, mineral, and alive with energy.

The Lalama is a fantastic introduction—a blend of Mencía and other local varieties that’s bursting with red fruit and a touch of herbal freshness. But the real star is the Bibei, a single-vineyard Mencía that’s aged in large oak foudres. It’s a wine that tastes like the landscape itself: wild, untamed, and utterly captivating.

Anecdote: During my visit, the winemaker took me to one of the highest vineyards, where the view of the river below was so breathtaking I nearly forgot to take notes. Nearly.

Bodega Guímaro (Amandi)

📍 Address: Lugar de Guímaro, s/n, 27438 Amandi, Lugo

⏰ Hours: Visits by appointment (email ahead)

🍷 Why It’s Special: If Dominio do Bibei is the grand, dramatic face of Ribeira Sacra, Guímaro is its soulful, understated counterpart. This family-run winery is all about purity—minimal intervention, old vines, and wines that speak clearly of their origins.

The Guímaro Tinto is a fantastic everyday Mencía—juicy, peppery, and impossibly easy to drink. But the Finca Capeliños is where things get serious. Made from a single vineyard of 80-year-old vines, this wine is a masterclass in balance: dark fruit, floral notes, and a mineral backbone that goes on for days.

Pro Tip: Ask about their white wines, too. The Guímaro Blanco, made from Godello, is one of the most exciting white wines in Spain—crisp, aromatic, and with a salinity that makes it perfect with seafood.

4. Bullas: The Undiscovered Jewel of Murcia

Where: DO Bullas, Murcia

Why Go: If you’ve never heard of Bullas, you’re not alone. This tiny DO in the heart of Murcia is one of Spain’s best-kept secrets, a place where the Monastrell grape (known as Mourvèdre elsewhere) produces rich, sun-soaked reds that are as generous as the people who make them.

Bodega Casa de la Ermita (Bullas)

📍 Address: Carretera de la Ermita, km 1, 30180 Bullas, Murcia

⏰ Hours: Monday–Friday 9 AM–2 PM, 4 PM–7 PM; Saturday 10 AM–2 PM (visits by appointment)

🍷 Why It’s Special: Casa de la Ermita is a winery that feels like a love letter to the land. The estate is a mix of old and new vineyards, with some Monastrell vines dating back over 80 years. The wines here are bold, fruity, and full of Mediterranean warmth.

The Crianza is a fantastic introduction—a blend of Monastrell, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon that’s rich with dark fruit and a touch of spice. But the Ermita is the real showstopper. Made from 100% old-vine Monastrell, it’s a wine that’s both powerful and elegant, with layers of blackberry, chocolate, and a hint of wild herbs.

Sensory Detail: The first time I tasted the Ermita, I was struck by how much it tasted like the landscape—sun-baked earth, wild rosemary, and the kind of ripe fruit that only comes from vines that have seen decades of harsh summers.

Bodega Balcona (Bullas)

📍 Address: Carretera de Cehegín, km 3, 30180 Bullas, Murcia

⏰ Hours: Visits by appointment (contact via website)

🍷 Why It’s Special: Balcona is a small, family-run winery that’s all about doing things the old-fashioned way. Their vineyards are farmed organically, and their wines are made with minimal intervention, letting the Monastrell grape shine in all its glory.

The Balcona Monastrell is a fantastic example of what the region does best—juicy, spicy, and full of dark fruit. But the Balcona Reserva is where things get interesting. Aged in oak for 18 months, it’s a wine that’s rich and complex, with layers of black cherry, vanilla, and a touch of smoky minerality.

Humor: The winemaker, José, is a character—he’ll likely insist on pouring you a glass of his homemade mistela (a sweet, fortified wine) and tell you stories about the "good old days" when wine was made in clay pots buried in the ground.

5. Cangas: The Last Frontier of Asturian Wine

Where: DO Cangas, Asturias

Why Go: If you think Asturias is all about cider and seafood, think again. This tiny, rain-soaked region in northern Spain is home to some of the most unique wines in the country, made from grapes like Albarín Blanco and Carrasquín that you won’t find anywhere else.

Bodega Monasterio de Corias (Cangas del Narcea)

📍 Address: Lugar de Corias, s/n, 33816 Cangas del Narcea, Asturias

⏰ Hours: Visits by appointment (email ahead)

🍷 Why It’s Special: This winery is housed in a 12th-century monastery, and the wines are as historic as the building itself. The vineyards here are some of the highest in Spain, and the cool, wet climate produces wines that are crisp, aromatic, and full of personality.

The Albarín Blanco is a must-try—a white wine that’s bright, citrusy, and with a salinity that makes it perfect with oysters. But the real surprise is the Carrasquín, a light, peppery red that’s unlike anything else in Spain. It’s the kind of wine that makes you rethink what Spanish reds can be.

Anecdote: During my visit, the winemaker took me to the monastery’s ancient cellar, where the walls were lined with barrels that had been there for centuries. It was like stepping back in time.

Bodega Viña del Norte (Cangas del Narcea)

📍 Address: Lugar de Llamas, s/n, 33816 Cangas del Narcea, Asturias

⏰ Hours: Visits by appointment (call ahead)

🍷 Why It’s Special: Viña del Norte is a tiny, family-run winery that’s all about preserving the traditional grapes of Asturias. Their Albarín Blanco is a standout—crisp, floral, and with a minerality that’s pure mountain freshness.

But the real gem is their Carrasquín Rosado, a rosé that’s dry, peppery, and full of red fruit. It’s the kind of wine that’s perfect for a sunny afternoon (or, let’s be honest, a rainy one—this is Asturias, after all).

Pro Tip: If you’re lucky, the family might invite you to stay for a homemade fabada (Asturian bean stew) and a glass of their sidra natural (natural cider). Say yes.

Final Thoughts: Why These Hidden Gems Matter

Spain’s wine scene is so much more than Rioja and Cava. In 2026, the real magic is happening in the places where tradition meets innovation, where the winemakers are as much philosophers as they are farmers, and where every bottle tells a story.

These hidden gems aren’t just about great wine—they’re about connection. They’re about standing in a vineyard at sunset, glass in hand, and feeling like you’ve discovered something truly special. They’re about meeting the people who pour their hearts into every vintage and leaving with not just a bottle, but a memory.

So, if you’re planning a wine trip to Spain in 2026, skip the crowds and head for the hills—literally. Whether it’s the wild slopes of Priorat, the misty vineyards of Bierzo, or the cliffside terraces of Ribeira Sacra, these are the places where Spain’s wine soul truly shines.

And who knows? You might just find your new favorite bottle.