7 Under-the-radar Wine Regions in Spain With Some of the Best Vineyards in the World

Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria, one of eight volcanic islands that form the Canary Islands, sits off the northwestern coast of Africa. A geographically diverse island, it boasts more than 20 local grape varieties, including reds—castellana, listán negro, listán prieto, tintilla—and whites—burra blanca, baboso blanco, and listán blanco. When phylloxera spread in Spain, it never made it to the Canary Islands, so there are still endemic vines that weren’t grafted onto American vines after the 19th-century plague. Gran Canaria received its own Denomination of Origin in 2005, and today there are dozens of wineries spanning from the northwest to the northeast, with some also located in the center.

Wineries to Visit: Don’t miss a wine tasting at Señorío de Cabrera, a small winery owned by couple Agustín Cabrera and Felisa Vega, who grow four grape varieties near the town of Telde. Also stop in at family-run Bodegas Bentayga in Caldera de Tejeda, a volcanic basin in the Tejeda mountains where red and white grapes are grown at elevations between 3,280 and 4,265 feet.

Where to Stay: Immerse yourself in nature at the Parador de Cruz de Tejeda, with incredible views of the mountains and a central location near several wineries. On a clear day, you can see the highest peak in Spain, Teide, on the neighboring island of Tenerife. Or, opt for the southern side of the island and check into the Seaside Palm Beach Hotel.

Lanzarote

The northernmost Canary island, Lanzarote, has a unique landscape; Some parts of the island resemble what you may imagine Mars or the moon to look like, thanks to a 1730 volcanic eruption. It lasted six years, covering part of the island in volcanic ash.

Vineyards in Lanzarote are one of a kind—mini craters, or hoyos, are dug by hand to grow grapes in volcanic ash, known as picón. As the island receives little rain, the ash retains moisture from the morning dew, its main water source. Many wineries build a semicircle of rocks around the hoyos, each with its own style, to protect the vines from the Atlantic Ocean trade winds. The wine region, La Geria, is made up of around 30 wineries and received the Denomination of Origin in 1993.

Wineries to Visit: The oldest winery in the Canary Islands and one of the 10 oldest in Spain, El Grifo has been making vino since 1775 with the prized varietal malvasia volcánica. Also visit Vega de Yuco, a family-run winery that produces white, red, and rosé wines and offers a vino pairing with chocolate.

Where to Stay: No matter where you decide to sleep for the night, you’re usually never more than an hour’s drive away from the wine region. Elegant and sprawling, Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort provides all the luxurious comforts on the south side of the island in Playa Blanca, while homey Hotel Fariones is less than a 20-minute drive to La Geria.

L’Empordà, Catalonia

Situated in the autonomous community of Catalonia in northeastern Spain, L’Empordà hugs the Costa Brava of the Mediterranean Sea. Its Catalan name comes from the Greek word Empuries, and there is archaeological evidence that wine was made there as early as the sixth century.

In 1975, the Empordà Denomination of Origin was established, and today there are more than 50 wineries there, with many growing white grenache, grey grenache and red grenache, along with the red carignan grape varietals. The area is also known for full-bodied reds, whites, and rosés.

Wineries to Visit: Cala Jóncols, a certified-organic winery, prides itself on being the smallest vineyard in Catalonia, located in the Cap de Creus Natural Park. After reviving vineyards in 2000, family-owned winery Martín Faixó makes white, rosé, and red wines.

Where to Stay: Unwind between the Pyrenees mountains and the sea at the Costa Brava’s relaxing Hotel Cala Jóncols or at Casamar Restaurant & Hotel, run by brother and sister María and Quim Casellas. For a more central location, stay at Palau Fugit, an 18th-century palace in Girona’s old quarter.

Rueda, Castilla y León

Castilla y León is the biggest autonomous community in Spain, and Rueda is one of its 13 Denominations of Origin. The area is renowned for its white wine. With around 70 wineries, Rueda also has its own Wine Route. The scenic Douro River passes through the north of the region between the cities of Segovia and Ávila.

Verdejo is one of the most popular white grape varietals in Rueda. With cold winters and scorching summers, many wineries harvest the grapes at night when temperatures are cooler to prevent fermentation before the grapes can be processed.

Wineries to Visit: In the old quarter of Tordesillas, visit the last operating wine cellar at Bodega Muelas, a fifth-generation winery that grows its own grapes and combines older techniques with a touch of modernity during production. Yllera Bodegas & Viñedos has a big wine cellar that houses Arrope restaurant, led by Michelin-starred chef Martín Berasategui.

Where to Stay: Base yourself in Parador de Tordesillas, a manor house-style hotel in a quaint town on the Douro River, where Portugal and Spain divided territory in 1494 and signed the Treaty of Tordesillas.

Priorat, Catalonia

Priorat, known for red wines, is a mountainous region where vineyards are grown on steep slopes in varying microclimates that give grapes their unique flavor profile. It’s located roughly two hours from Barcelona.

Slate, known as llicorella in Spanish, is part of the soil structure, helping keep it moist, which is essential with hot summers, little rain, and harsh winters. Plus, the slate forces the roots to grow deeper to access water and nutrients, giving the grapes an intense flavor.

Priorat, named one of Travel + Leisure‘s best places to travel in 2025, was a thriving wine region until the late 19th century, when phylloxera wiped out the vines, forcing communities to leave. Winemakers returned to Priorat in the mid-’80s and now there are around 115 wineries, predominantly growing grenache and carignan, as well as the French varieties cabernet and syrah.

Wineries to Visit: Perinet has three vineyards—some north-facing and south-facing, providing different flavor profiles in the grapes. Another must-visit is Mas Martinet, owned by Pérez Ovejero, who began in 1981 with a focus on sustainability and artisan wine.

Where to Stay: Base yourself at the renovated farmhouse Gran Hotel Mas d’en Bruno, where the rooms overlook various vineyards and staff can arrange winery visits.

Toro, Castilla y León

Toro is known for bold red wines with the native varietal Tinta de Toro. One of the Denominations of Origin in Castilla y León, Toro is also one of nine wine routes that have been certified by the Spanish Association of Wine Cities (ACEVIN). Toro produces rosé and white wines with varietals that include malvasía castellana, verdejo, and albillo real.

Wineries to Visit: Since 2000, Elías Mora has been owned and operated by Victoria Benavides, who combines modern technology and ancestral knowledge. Another standout is Bodegas Fariña, a third-generation family-run winery that hosts an annual abstract art contest to choose the label for their Primero wines.

Where to Stay: Feel like a royal at renovated castle Castillo de Monte La Reina outside the historical town of Toro, where you can visit wineries at your leisure as well as their own on-site winery, Bodega Monte la Reina.

Basque Country

Txakoli, an effervescent white wine often drunk as an aperitif or paired with seafood, is uniquely Basque. There are vineyards in all Basque provinces and each has its own Denomination of Origin: Txakoli de Álava in the province of Álava, Bizkaiko Txakolina in Bizkaia, and Getariako Txakolina in and around the coastal towns of Getaria and Zarautz.

Indigenous grape varieties are acidic with citrus and floral notes, including hondarrabi zuri (zuri translates to white in Euskera) and hondarribi zerratia (little or small) and hondarrabi beltza (black).

Many vineyards are grown on steep slopes that face south and southeast for maximum sunlight, especially important in a region that’s often overcast and receives plenty of rain. Some wineries in Bizkaia make rosé txakoli, which is a combination of two varietals—hondarrabi zuri and hondarrabi beltza.

Wineries to Visit: Experience Bizkaia’s Bodega Gorka Izagirre, which has been growing three indigenous Basque grape varieties since 2005 or, near the town of Getaria, Gañeta, a third-generation winery where they make three types of txakoli.

Where to Stay: For beautiful views, head to the small, rural Hotel San Prudentzio in the hills of Getaria.