Qué ver en la Ruta del Vino Ribeira Sacra

In this post we propose a tour of the main municipalities that are part of the Ribeira Sacra and what to visit in them.

Ribeira Sacra, best kept secret in inland Galicia

Between the provinces of Lugo and Ourense extends what we could define as one of the best kept secrets of inland Galicia. Marked by the Miño and Sil rivers, thanks to its landscape, the spirituality that surrounds it´s numerous convents and its characteristic viticulture at the foot of the mountain, the Ribeira Sacra is a commitment to the five senses.

In this post we propose a roadmap through the main corners that are part of the Ribeira Sacra Wine Route and what to visit in them, in a getaway in which we can listen to the silence, satisfy our palate and fall in love with its impressive views.

Admire the Miño from Cabo do Mundo

With a privileged location to visit the Ribeira Sacra, we will begin our trip in the municipality of Chantada, where we will discover its commitment to local cuisine and wines from the area.

From here, without rushing, we can go through vineyards and cherry trees to look out over the spectacular Miño valley in the Belesar area. Interesting river routes start from this picturesque village, in addition to being a point of passage from the Camiño de Inverno to Santiago de Compostela.

Located a few kilometers from Belesar, when looking for the corner with the best views the undisputed protagonist is Cabo do Mundo, a viewpoint facing the beautiful meander that the Miño forms on its route through the Ribeira Sacra. From its summit, not only the peculiar curvature of the river can be appreciated, but also the vine cultivation system on terraces, which constitutes one of the most characteristic pictures of the Lugo ribeira.

Travel to the heart of the Ribeira Sacra

On our second day we will move to the heart of the Ribeira Sacra. To do this, we will visit Monforte de Lemos, where we will be captivated by its historic center and the Museum of the Poor Clares, one of the best museums of sacred art on the peninsula.

Likewise, we will be able to know first-hand the history of the arrival of the railroad to Galicia, since Lemos was the nucleus through which, in 1883, the train entered from Castilian to Galician lands.

Special mention deserves the Colegio Nuestra Señora la Antigua, popularly known as the Galician Escorial. This architectural jewel that we mustn´t overlook, since it houses a unique gallery where we can enjoy various works by El Greco, as well as its impressive cloister and monumental staircase.

Nature and tradition in Sober

Traveling through the region of Lemos we will arrive at a small paradise located in the south of Lugo. In the municipality of Sober, nature and tradition go hand in hand in a privileged environment, both for its unique landscape and for its historical and monumental legacy.

In this municipality we can choose between delving into the wild nature of the region by doing some of its hiking routes, such as the Doade-Augasmestas, Ruta dos Muíños do Xábrega or Sendeiro Viñedos da Ribeira Sacra, or admire its heritage, since that the lands of Sober are known for the petroglyphs of Proendos and Figueiroá and their small Romanesque-style churches.

Sailing the waters of the Sil

When visiting the Ribeira Sacra, we won´t be able to know its true essence until visiting the Sil Canyons. Observing them carefully from the waters and contemplating the sacred heritage together with its vegetation from another perspective, as well as admiring the terraces anchored on the slopes of the river since Roman times will be a finishing touch to our route.

To enjoy this experience, on our last day we will go to the Ponte do Sil jetty, located in Monforte. Once there, we will embark on a fantastic catamaran ride through the calm waters of the river, surrounded by the impressive orography of these lands.

Taste the best wines on the Canyons

With more than 2,000 hectares of vineyards, viticulture at the foot of the mountains is a unique feature of these lands. Thus, the vines are distributed in socalcos, terraces joined by stairs, in what is known as heroic viticulture because the work is totally manual due to the capricious orography that prevents its complete mechanization.

The Ribeira Sacra has more than a hundred winemakers who organize guided tours to show first-hand how the wine is produced and appreciate its quality. In the spectacular viewpoints of Parada do Sil, another of its symbols, tasting a glass of its oenological treasures on the Canyons will be the perfect farewell to our route.

Although we won´t be able to leave the Ribeira Sacra behind without discovering the bica, the regional sweet. For this we will visit Castro Caldelas, where we will also go up to its castle to look, as the nobles of yesteryear did, to the immense extension of this valley that combines wild nature and spirituality.