From Santiago to the sea: A Rías Baixas Wine Weekend

5th–8th June 2025 | 14 guests | Countless memories

What do you get when you mix a group of wine lovers from Mallorca, LA, Norway, San Sebastián, and the UK with some of Galicia’s most expressive wines?

A wine weekend of unforgettable experiences!

Santiago de Compostela: Wet streets and historic buildings

We kicked off our Galician wine weekend in the wet but historically beautiful Santiago de Compostela. After a relaxed wander along slippery cobbled streets and a quick stop at the local market (with a glass of wine to kick-start the weekend), we checked into Hotel Plaza Obradoiro by BOSSH - a boutique gem that is just a stone's throw from the cathedral, with comfortable beds and excellent showers.

A welcome drink at Pub Momo provided the perfect first toast for our international crew. No bookings were needed, the garden was rain-proof, and the vibe in the pretty garden was just right.

Dinner followed at O Curro da Parra, a culinary experience with excellent service: baby scallops, Ibérico ham croquettes, pig cheeks slow-cooked in Mencía, and the most divine cheesecake. Wines from Monterrei and Ribeira Sacra flowed freely, with expert insight from the in-house WSET-certified sommelier.

Tartar at O Curro da Parra

Friday 6th June: Three winery visits created an epic day

Stop 1: Eladio Piñeiro Rural Wines

Day two began early with MonBus ready and waiting.

Our first stop was Eladio Piñeiro, the founder of Mar de Frades and a pioneer of wine as both emotion and art.

From vertical tastings straight from deposits to foggy sea-view sips of Albariño and moon-phase winemaking tales, Eladio’s philosophy moved us all. Even the biodynamics (yes, cow horns and all) were captivating. With Ivan translating Eladio’s Spanish with care and clarity, we were taken on a deeply personal, wine journey.

Eladio’s conversations included thermochromic wine labels, musical frequencies, buried cow horns, and Celtic chants. This wasn’t just a winery visit - it was a masterclass in wine creativity.

Stop 2: Bodegas Granbazán

Our next visit took us to the regal Granbazán, known for its blue-tiled façade and elegant Albariños. After a private lunch at the winery - with dishes such as panipuri with apple and anchovy, ‘Secreto Ibérico’, and wine soaked pears in toffee sauce - we took a walk through the vineyards in the sunshine, and then headed inside for a tour of the winery, followed by a private tasting of some of their albariño wines.

Founded in 1981, Granbazán is a leader in Galician viticulture and oenology, with deep roots in the Salnés Valley. Their wines spoke of precision, balance, and place.

Stop 3: Attis Bodegas & Viñedos

We ended our epic day at Attis Bodegas & Viñedos. With winery renovations underway, we instead toured their hilltop vineyards, soaking up views of the Rías Baixas valley. Back at base, we powered through a tasting that included two albariños, a rosado from rare native grapes, a single varietal sousón red, and a naturally sweet wine.

Three wineries in one day was a little ambitious, but each one offered something unique.

By the end of the day we were tired and tipsy, but utterly satisfied.

We checked into Parador de Cambados, for a stately if slightly dated stay in this centrally located 4* Hotel. The check-in was ‘clunky’, but that didn’t stop most of us heading out for a stroll, and one last round of tapas and drinks before calling it a night.

Saturday 7th June: Mariscos Laureano and Bodegas Albamar

Just when we thought we’d peaked, Xurxo Alba of Bodegas Albamar redefined hospitality.

The morning began with a surprise visit to Mariscos Laureano, where we saw first-hand the seafood that ends up in Spain’s top restaurants. From there, we zigzagged through vineyards as Xurxo and Lourdes talked soils, sea breezes, and natural winemaking with the kind of passion that makes you want to quit your job and prune vines.

At the winery, we tasted many wines (we lost count after 6…), including a special bottle from Xurxo’s private stash that stole the show. Just when we thought it was over, out came steaming bowls of mussels (bought earlier at Mariscos Laureano) and padrón peppers.

Lunch followed at A Taberna do Trasno in Cambados - although they did manage to forget our booking (luckily we checked the night before!). Mixed service aside, the food was plentiful, and the wine selection showcased Galicia’s diversity once again.

Cambados: The Perfect Base

For the  afternoon, we decided not to book any more winery visits, preferring to keep it free for everyone to do their own thing. Some braved a swim, others wandered the pretty streets of Cambados - a town buzzing with life - especially in the June sunshine, and a few headed back to the Hotel for an afternoon siesta. With its charm, energy, and proximity to so many outstanding wineries, it’s hard to imagine a better base for exploring the Rías Baixas region.

Final Thoughts:

From the rain-slicked streets of Santiago to sunlit vineyards overlooking the sea, every moment of our Rías Baixas weekend had flavour - literal and metaphorical.

A heartfelt thank you to every winery who welcomed us, to the brilliant people behind the bottles, and to our wonderful group of travellers for making this weekend not just about wine but about connection, creativity, and unforgettable experiences.

🍇 At a Glance: Rías Baixas Wine Weekend Recap

📅 Dates: 5th–8th June 2025👥 Group size: 14 people

📍 Locations visited: Santiago de Compostela, Rías Baixas (Salnés Valley), Cambados

🏨 Where We Stayed:

• Santiago de Compostela: Hotel Plaza Obradoiro by BOSSH – Modern, comfortable, unbeatable location opposite the cathedral

• Cambados: Parador de Cambados – Traditional, central, with a great breakfast (though slightly dated and slow check-in)

  
  

🚍 Transport:

• Transfers: MonBus – Punctual, reliable, comfortable

  
  

🍷 Wineries Visited:

1. Eladio Piñeiro (Rías Baixas – Spiritual & Artistic Albariños, biodynamic vision, vertical tasting)

2. Bodegas Granbazán (Rías Baixas – Historic estate, neoclassical style winery, elegant Albariños)

3. Attis Bodegas & Viñedos (Rías Baixas – Modern and natural, expressive wines, beautiful vineyard views)

4. Bodegas Albamar (Rías Baixas – Deeply personal, vineyard tour, generous tasting & seafood pairing)

   
   

🍽️ Meals & Highlights:

• Dinner at O Curro da Parra, Santiago:

  Baby scallops, avocado mousse tartar, croquettes, cod, pig cheeks, cheesecake

• Lunch at Granbazán:

  Shrimp salad, piquillo peppers, panipuri, ‘Secreto Ibérico’, pears in wine

• Tasting bites at Albamar:

  Mussels, padrón peppers

• Lunch at A Taberna do Trasno, Cambados:

  Croquettes, confit artichokes, Caesar salad, beef tartar, beef cheeks, dessert platter

  
  

🍷 Wines We Drank:

• O Curro da Parra:

  • White: Alma de Autor 2024 Godello (Monterrei)

  • Red: Algueira 2024 Mencía (Ribeira Sacra)

    
    

• Granbazán:

  • White: Various Granbazán Albariños (Rías Baixas)

  • Red: Baigorri (Rioja Alavesa), sister winery to Granbazán

    
    

• Attis:

  • Two Albariños, Sitta Rosado (Caiño, Pedral, Espadeiro), Sousón red, and a naturally sweet wine

    
    

• Albamar:

  • 6+ Albamar labels - Albariño - Alma de Mar - PAI - O Sebal - Ancestral etc, including a special private cellar bottle

    
    

• Taberna do Trasno:

  • White: Joaquín Rebolledo Godello (Valdeorras)

  • Red: Casal de Armán Brancellao (Ribeiro)