Madrid Wineries Day Trip: Wine Tasting & Tapas in Las Vegas

Summary

Madrid’s vineyards, old cellars and laughter over tapas

You’ll travel from Madrid out into the countryside for tastings at three different wineries (with plenty of local reds and whites), meet winemakers who actually pour your glass, snack on regional tapas that double as lunch, and wander through old cellars where wine has been aging longer than most buildings back home. Expect good conversation and little surprises along the way.

What’s the experience like?

I was already fumbling with my coffee at the Claridge hotel when our guide, Marta, waved us over — she had that easy Madrid smile and a knack for remembering everyone’s name. We piled into a minivan (air conditioning blessedly strong), and within half an hour the city gave way to those sun-bleached fields you only see on postcards. The air smelled faintly of wild herbs and dust as we rolled past little towns I’d never heard of. Someone in our group asked if Madrid really had its own wine region — I’ll admit, I’d wondered too.

The first winery sat tucked between rows of vines that looked almost ancient, their leaves curling under the late morning sun. The owner greeted us with a handshake and a laugh — he kept switching between Spanish and English but somehow made everyone feel like family. We tasted a white first (I wish I could remember the grape — Marta tried to explain but my brain was busy with that cold mineral taste). The cheese they served was creamy enough to make me forget about lunch back in the city. At one point, I tried to say “gracias” with the right accent; pretty sure I failed because the winemaker just grinned wider.

By the second stop — another small town, older than it looked — we’d loosened up. There was this moment in a cool stone cellar where time felt weirdly slow; you could hear water dripping somewhere behind barrels stacked taller than me. Our guide started talking about how Vinos de Madrid is still kind of under-the-radar compared to Rioja or Ribera. She told us about how these river valleys fed Madrid’s thirst centuries ago (I liked that image). The third winery was built on an old convent; we ducked into caves where wine has slept for generations. It smelled like earth and something sweet I couldn’t quite place.

I still think about that last glass of red we tried underground — not because it was fancy but because it tasted honest, if that makes sense? On the drive back, Marta scribbled some food tips for us on a napkin (her favorite tortilla spot near Retiro). If you’re curious about Spanish wine beyond what you find in supermarkets, this day trip from Madrid is honestly worth it just for those small moments: laughter over tapas, cool air in ancient cellars, sunlight flickering through vineyard leaves. Anyway, I’m glad I didn’t skip breakfast like she warned.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit three wineries with wine tasting

• Meet at hotel Claridge cafeteria
• Visit first boutique winery and taste wines
• Visit second winery and learn wine process
• Visit Bodegas Jesús Díaz e Hijos winery
• Tour ends back at meeting point

Top questions

How far are the wineries from Madrid?

The wineries are about 30 km (19 miles) from central Madrid, roughly half an hour by minivan or bus.

Is lunch included on this Madrid wine tour?

Yes, regional hot dishes and tapas are served at the wineries — enough for lunch.

How many wines do you taste during the tour?

You’ll taste at least 9 wines (both reds and whites) across all three wineries.

Is there hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup; meeting point is at Hotel Claridge cafeteria entrance in central Madrid.

Are children allowed on this tour?

No, children under 12 cannot participate in this tour.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The tour is led by a bilingual guide in English and Spanish.

Should I eat before joining the tour?

Yes, it’s recommended to have a strong breakfast before starting the day trip from Madrid.

How big are the groups on this wine tasting tour?

The maximum group size is 20 people; average group size is around 8 guests.

What’s included

Your day includes comfortable transportation from central Madrid by air-conditioned minivan or bus, guided visits to three different wineries in Las Vegas de Madrid with generous tastings of both red and white wines made from local grapes (at least nine samples), plus regional cheese appetizers, Iberian products and hot dishes served as lunch. You’ll be hosted throughout by an expert bilingual local guide before returning to your starting point in Madrid.