Pradorey Winery and Vineyards is located in the town of Gumiel de Mercado, Burgos, in the heart of the Ribera del Duero, a privileged setting where, today more than ever, time stands still while things happen throughout the weekend. Farm + wine cellar + tasting + gastronomy + a good night’s sleep in an inn steeped in history… and in summer, a swim in the sea. You can of course opt for the more classic plan for any day of the year – just as interesting and educational – during which you can visit the majestic estate, the cellar and its nooks and crannies and taste three references
Almost everyone has been a wine tourist at some point in their lives, but… who can claim, after a wine tasting, to have slept in the same rooms as Felipe III, Lope de Vega or Rubens? Well, those who have been to the “Planazo de Pradorey” (Carretera CL – 619 km 66, 1. Gumiel de Mercado, Burgos. Tel. 947 54 69 00. www.pradorey.es), and as its name suggests, this weekend getaway is an experience in itself. Two days equivalent to a month of disconnection due to a careful oenological and gastronomic offer in a natural setting, where worries belong to the past, with a visit to the winery and the corresponding wine tasting, traditional dishes of the region and accommodation in its Posada, a building full of history. It can be enjoyed at any time of the year, but now, in summer, there is also a swimming pool.
When Isabel the Catholic fell in love with the Ventosilla estate in Aranda de Duero and made it her own in 1503, surely there was a reason? To understand this love story, there is nothing like experiencing the Planazo de Pradorey first hand, for which we are expected with a glass of wine in hand… Will we discover it?
Sleep in an inn full of history
This original wine tourism package, in which you and the wine are the protagonists, includes two nights’ accommodation in the magical Posada -owned by the Cremades family, just like the winery- a Herrerian-style jewel dating from the 17th century. It has hosted illustrious people throughout history, such as Juana la Loca, Cervantes, Felipe IV and, of course, the Duke of Lerma, who rebuilt it on the ruins of the hunting lodge of the Catholic Monarchs in 1601 to house King Felipe III. Thanks to this history – and that of each of its visitors: for example, Rubens completed here the famous equestrian portrait of the Duke of Lerma, which is now in the Prado Museum, but which spent many years within the walls of this building – it is undoubtedly one of the most unique and recommended accommodations in the region. Its 18 rooms are perfect for disconnecting from the daily grind but also for relaxing and getting together in a friendly, family atmosphere. In addition, during the summer months, they open the beautiful pool located on one side of the building and the plan becomes essential.
Local Gastronomy
The days (Saturday and Sunday) start with a full homemade breakfast to give you energy for the rest of the day and with options for all tastes: fresh orange juice, fruit, yogurt, homemade sponge cake, La Horra croissants, sweet or savory toast, Iberian ham and turkey… and milk from their cattle!
The dinners (Friday and Saturday) are 100% traditional, one of those where you dip the bread in the sauces and where it is impossible to do without dessert. But the “main course” is the one on Saturday and includes of course the suckling lamb, the undisputed star of the region. If you prefer, you can have this meal in the Posada itself or eat in one of the nearby restaurants and walk around Aranda.
Wine tourism is what we are all about.
The idea is to make sure that every visitor gets to know the passion that Pradorey has for the world of wine and everything that surrounds it, with the aim of discovering the soul of its wines through unique places and, of course, tasting them afterwards. An example -because the wines change- would be: Adaro, Pradorey Finca Valdelayegua and Pradorey Blanco.
Viticulture
The Planazo also includes a visit to one of the most impressive ethnographic sites in the region: El Cotarro, a neighborhood of old wineries located in Moradillo de Roa, only 25 minutes by car from the Posada. It’s a journey into the past that takes you back 300 years to learn the traditional methods of wine making in an underground world of 157 cellars and 7 wine presses
The complete package -estate + winery + tasting + gastronomy + accommodation- costs €259 per person. For those who prefer it or don’t have much time, you can also practice a more conventional wine tourism -although nothing here is conventional -and discover the facilities, vineyards and barrel cellars and taste three of their wines for 25 €- Monday to Sunday at different time slots-. This option can be complemented with a traditional Castilian menu at La Posada de Pradorey (55 €), because during a visit to Ribera del Duero, it is almost mandatory to enjoy its products of Km0 associated with a good crianza (Pradorey Finca Valdelayegua) at the Posada without the need to spend the night. Of course, reservations are required and this last option is only available on Saturdays..
Pradorey (www.pradorey.es) stands for audacity, passion, intuition and freedom, and this is what the 14 references of this singular family transmit, but also their idea of wine tourism, a unique experience that must be lived in situ. It is not without reason that this is one of the region’s must-see wineries. It is impossible to leave without falling in love with Bodega y Viñedos Pradorey or without taking home one of its wines, all of which have their own personality and can be purchased online and delivered anywhere in mainland Spain or in an infinite number of stores.
Wine tourism reservations: 947 54 69 00 o info@pradorey.com
More information: Ulled Madrid
Isabel Tierraseca: itierraseca@ulled.com. Concha Pizarro: cpizarro@ulled.com
Rosalía del Río: rdelrio@ulled.com. Marta Montesinos: mmontesinos@ulled.com
