🗓️ When Is International Tempranillo Day 2025?
International Tempranillo Day is celebrated on the second Thursday of November — in 2025 that’s November 13.
The celebration was created by the Tempranillo Advocates, Producers and Amigos Society (TAPAS) in 2011 to honor Spain’s most famous red grape.
🍷 What Makes Tempranillo Special?
Tempranillo (“temprano” = early) ripens earlier than many varieties. It produces medium-to-full-bodied wines with moderate acidity and tannins.
Typical flavors: cherry, plum, dried fig, leather, tobacco, and cedar when aged in oak.
🇪🇸 Tempranillo in Spain – The Nation’s Heart Grape
Tempranillo accounts for over 40 % of Spain’s red vineyards, thriving from La Rioja to La Mancha. Its versatility across climates and soils makes it the core of Spain’s wine identity.
🏰 Top Tempranillo Wine Regions in Spain
Rioja (La Rioja)
– Spain’s Most Famous Tempranillo Region
Blends often include Garnacha, Graciano or Mazuelo.
- Style: Elegant reds with cherry and strawberry notes, aged in American or French oak.
- Ageing categories: Joven | Crianza | Reserva | Gran Reserva.
Ribera del Duero (Castilla y León)
– Bold and Age-Worthy
Known locally as Tinto Fino or Tinta del País.
- Style: Deep color, firm tannins, vivid acidity from high-altitude vineyards (700–1000 m).
- Profile: Powerful structure and longevity.
Toro – Full-Bodied Power
Here Tempranillo is Tinta de Toro.
- Style: Dense, tannic, high-alcohol reds with black fruit and spice.
La Mancha & Central Spain – Value and Approachability
Known as Cencibel.
- Style: Ripe, fruit-forward, value-driven wines with minimal oak.
🌍 Tempranillo Beyond Spain
- Portugal: Tinta Roriz (Douro) and Aragonez (Alentejo) produce rich, earthy styles.
- New World: California, Oregon, Texas, Australia and Argentina offer fruitier interpretations (e.g., Abacela in Oregon, the first commercial Tempranillo in the Pacific Northwest).
🏆 Leading Tempranillo Producers to Know
|
Winery |
Region |
Notable Wines |
|
Bodegas Vega Sicilia |
Ribera del Duero |
Legendary aged Tempranillos with collectible status. |
|
Bodegas Muga |
Rioja |
Family-owned, traditional oak-aged styles. |
|
Emilio Moro |
Ribera del Duero |
Modern expressions balancing fruit and structure. |
|
La Rioja Alta S.A. |
Rioja |
Gran Reserva 904 and 890 – icons of aging gracefully. |
🍽️ Tempranillo Styles & Food Pairings
- Young (Joven/Roble): fresh fruit, minimal oak — great with tapas or tomato dishes.
- Reserva/Gran Reserva: complex notes of leather and cedar — pair with grilled meats or aged cheese.
- Serving tips: Decant older bottles and serve at 16–18 °C.
🎉 How to Celebrate International Tempranillo Day Like a Pro
- Host a Tasting: Compare a young Rioja Joven with a Reserva or Ribera del Duero.
- Pair with Spanish Cuisine: Tapas of jamón ibérico, chorizo, roasted peppers, and Manchego.
- Explore Labels: Look for synonyms (Tinta del País, Cencibel, Tinta de Toro).
- Go Global: Try a New World Tempranillo from the U.S. or Australia.
- Age Gracefully: Lay down Gran Reservas for future celebrations.
🧭 Discover Tempranillo Wine Tours with Winera
Bodegas Santalba - Wine Tasting Experience at Santalba (Rioja, Spain)
Experience Bodegas Santalba, a family-owned gem in the heart of Rioja Alta. Explore the organic vineyards where Tempranillo vines flourish, and discover the winemaking process in the barrel and bottle rooms. Conclude with a tasting of three exquisite red and white wines, perfectly paired with six delicious tapas, enjoyed in the cozy tasting room or on the terrace overlooking the stunning Rioja landscape, a true journey into the region’s rich wine culture.
Marqués de Murrieta - Visit and Tasting of 3 Wines (Rioja, Spain)
Explore Marqués de Murrieta, an iconic Rioja estate where history and elegance meet. Begin your journey with a visit to the winery surrounded by picturesque vineyards, then explore the magnificent Ygay Castle, home to the Marqués de Murrieta Museum. Conclude with a guided tasting of three exceptional wines, the fresh Gran Vino Pazo Barrantes 2021, the refined Marqués de Murrieta 2020, and the distinguished Gran Reserva 2014. for a true taste of Rioja’s winemaking excellence.
Hacienda Lopez de Haro - Visit and Tasting (Rioja, Spain)
Discover Hacienda López de Haro in picturesque San Vicente de la Sonsierra. Learn about the region’s unique climate, soils, and vineyards that make Sonsierra ideal for growing vines. Explore the winery’s heritage and sample wines straight from the fermentation tank. Finish with a guided tasting of López de Haro Blanco, El Pacto de la Sonsierra, and López de Haro Reserva, paired with traditional Rioja cheeses and sausages for an authentic regional experience.
Bodegas Amézola de la Mora - Exclusive Visit to the Winery (Rioja, Spain)
Enjoy the Amézola de la Mora Winery with an exclusive, behind-the-scenes visit led by owners María or Cristina Amézola. Explore the vineyards, cellars, and winery, followed by a tasting of four exceptional wines, Iñigo Amézola Blanco, Viña Amézola Crianza, Señorío Amézola Reserva, and Iñigo Amézola Tinto, paired with artisanal sausage or cheese.
Family-Friendly Fun: Children can join in the adventure with a playful ‘must tasting,’ mimicking grown-ups and enjoying a kid-friendly snack, making it a memorable experience for all.
Bodegas Virtus - Discover Bodegas Virtus, the Winning Horse from the Ribera del Duero Region (Castilla and Leon, Spain)
Discover Bodegas Virtus, the shining star of Ribera del Duero where the passion for wine and horses come together. Begin with a scenic walk through the vineyards, followed by a tour of the winery and its exclusive Albillo Mayor project area. Step into the barrel room for a tasting straight from French oak barrels, then savor three exceptional wines, El Sueco (Crianza), El Sueco Albillo Mayor, and Virtus Gran Reserva, each paired with a delicious selection of tapas.
Bodega Sarmentero - Wine and Cheese (Castilla and Leon, Spain)
Bodega Sarmentero, in the heart of Ribera del Duero, offers an engaging journey through its vineyards and winery. Learn about the region’s distinctive terroir and winemaking process before a guided tasting of four elegant wines, perfectly paired with local cheeses and charcuterie, a true celebration of flavor, tradition, and quality.
Dominio Lubiano - Wines with a View - Tasting the Golden Mile of Ribera del Duero (Castilla and Leon, Spain)
Experience Dominio Lubiano, set along the prestigious “Golden Mile” of Ribera del Duero. Explore the modern winery and scenic vineyards while learning about the careful cultivation and winemaking that define its wines. Conclude with a guided tasting of three top wines, paired with a small aperitif of local cheese or charcuterie, enjoyed from a stunning viewpoint overlooking the vineyards, a perfect blend of elegance, flavor, and breathtaking scenery.
Bodega Tr3smano - Visit and Tasting at Bodega Tr3smano (Castilla and Leon, Spain)
Discover Bodega Tr3smano, where history and winemaking come together in the heart of Ribera del Duero. Stroll through the vineyards and visit a 1,500-year-old olive tree before exploring the winery’s facilities and centuries-old caves. Conclude with a guided tasting of three elegant wines, Proventus Tinto, Art Milla, and Tr3smano, paired with local cheeses, and finish your experience on the panoramic terrace with breathtaking views of the Douro Valley.
Pago de La Jaraba - Charm of Wine (Castilla-La Mancha, Spain)
Discover the charm of La Jaraba in the heart of Castilla-La Mancha. Wander through the Pago de La Jaraba estate, exploring its vineyards and artisanal winery. Learn the story behind its wines and the meticulous process from vine to bottle. Enjoy a guided tasting of three signature wines, Pago de La Jaraba Blanco, Viña Jaraba, and Pago de La Jaraba Tinto, paired with local cheeses. End your visit with a special keepsake: a screen-printed glass and holder from La Jaraba.
Cortijo El Cura Eco-Bodega - Wine tour in La Alpujarra - Almería with Local Tasting (Andalusia, Spain)
Discover Cortijo El Cura Eco-Bodega in the heart of La Alpujarra, Almería. Stroll through organic vineyards, olive and almond groves, and step back in time at our rural life museum. Taste five exquisite organic wines (including two premium selections), paired with local cheeses, sausages, and freshly baked village bread drizzled with our own olive oil. From August to January, enjoy a rare treat, sampling 52 unique grape varieties from our traditional vineyard. A perfect day in Andalusia for wine lovers, families, and curious travelers alike.
Bodega Manuel Aragon - Standard Visit (Andalusia, Spain)
Step into the soul of Jerez at Bodega Manuel Aragón in Andalusia. Begin among the vines, learning how the region’s unique terroir shapes its celebrated wines. Follow the journey from grape to glass, through pressing, fermentation, and the famed criaderas and solera system that defines Fino wine. Explore the aging cellars where Palo Cortado, Oloroso, Amontillado, and Moscatel mature gracefully. Conclude with a tasting of four distinctive wines paired with local tapas, a sensory voyage into the essence of Andalusian winemaking.
Artesa Winery - Wine Tasting with the Stars (Napa Valley, California, US)
Experience the spirit of Spain in Napa Valley at Artesa Winery, founded by the legendary Raventós Codorníu family. Among the first to plant Tempranillo on California’s coastal hillsides, Artesa crafts wines that blend rich black fruit, earthy spice, and a touch of Rioja elegance. Enjoy a tasting of five premium estate wines paired with Jamón Ibérico, explore the award-winning Spanish-inspired architecture, and take in panoramic views of vineyards and the San Pablo Bay, a perfect fusion of Spanish heritage and Napa winemaking skills.
❤️ Final Thoughts – Spain’s Red Treasure with Global Reach
Tempranillo is more than a grape — it’s Spain’s story in a glass.
From Rioja’s refined elegance to Ribera’s power and Portugal’s earthiness, it offers endless discovery.
Celebrate International Tempranillo Day 2025 with Winera and explore the vineyards that made this grape a legend.
👉 Book a Tempranillo Wine Tour on Winera.com
