Discover La Seca: Winegrowing, Culture and Trails

In La Seca, winegrowing culture has shaped social and economic development from the 16th century to the present day. This history is reflected in underground cellars, traditional wineries, tastings, festivals and trails through the wine-growing landscape.

Winegrowing

The Bodega Subterránea Municipal de La Seca comprises two underground vaulted passageways measuring 12 and 15 metres in length, ventilation shafts and a 10-metre-long must channel. It was dug into the ground in the 18th century and reflects the historical importance of producing white and golden wines in the region. Guided tours organised by the Oficina de Turismo provide insights into the architecture and history of the winery, as well as the development of winegrowing in the region.

Menade by Secala is a winery built in La Seca in 1820 by the first generation of the Sánz family. Guided tours introduce visitors to the history of the Sanz family. Bodega Cuatro Rayas has more than 80 years of history and produces white, red and rosé wines, as well as frizzante and vermouth. A guided tour of its facilities explains various production methods, followed by a commented tasting of three products from the Cuarenta Vendimias range.

Protos tours in La Seca include a walk through the vineyards and the production winery belonging to the Denominación de Origen Rueda. This is followed by a commented tasting with explanations of the wines and how they are made. Bodegas José Pariente combines a visit to the vineyard and winery with a tasting of either three or five wines.

The smaller formats also have their own distinctive features: Barroco & Verdejo combines an educational concert with a tasting of local Verdejo wine. The Esencia Campo Elíseo experience includes two Campo-Eliseo wines and a selection of Campoveja cheeses. During the Terruño y vino experience, two Campo-Eliseo wines are tasted after the visit, accompanied by a selection of cheeses in the house's salon. Javier Sanz's wine experience includes Javier Sanz wines accompanied by regional cured meats and/or cheese; after the vineyard visit, it also includes a visit to the Iglesia de la Orden Tercera.

Culture

The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción is a building by Gil de Hontañón dating from the mid-16th century. The church houses La Virgen de la Pera by Alejo de Vahía, dating from around 1500. The Ermita de San Roque is an 18th-century building made of brick and rammed earth, with a single-nave layout and a wooden portico.

The mural Homenaje al Retablista Lasecano Juan Macías Revuelta commemorates the sculptor and altarpiece artist Juan Macías Revuelta, who was born in La Seca. It is located on Calle San Judas and can be visited as part of an approximately one-hour, free tour with advance reservation. It is also possible to explore the mural independently using the QR code displayed there. The Ruta Monumental de La Seca is likewise a free, approximately one-hour tour that requires advance reservation.

Trails and Landscape

The Sendero de la Peña SL-VA 73 connects La Seca with Tordesillas via the Ermita de la Peña. The signposted, officially certified and freely accessible hiking trail is of low difficulty and has a total length of 16.8 km; its route passes through vineyards and pine areas. The Ruta Ecuestre, Senderismo y BTT de la Ruta del Vino de Rueda is officially certified in Castilla y León by the relevant equestrian and mountaineering, climbing and hiking federations under codes IE50 and PRC-VA34.

The Viñedos Singulares of La Seca are recorded in an official catalogue comprising ten geographical areas. Different route lengths, visit durations and types of activity provide various scales for planning your own trip, without limiting the options to a single daily rhythm.

Additional places to consider also include Vega De Valdetronco, Alaejos, Castrodeza, Villalón De Campos, La Mudarra, Ventosa De La Cuesta, Fuente El Sol and Campaspero.

Festivals

Since 2008, the Fiesta del Verdejo in La Seca has celebrated the Verdejo grape variety and the release of the year's first wines; it takes place on the weekend close to 23 April. On the first weekend of October, the municipality of La Seca organises a day honouring must, with cultural, tourist and sporting activities that convey the importance of the first must following the most recent harvest.

For the broader travel overview: Valladolid.