As I travel to Spain once or twice a year as a wine buyer, I have a fair knowledge of the wine and food landscape.
On the way from Madrid to Rias Baixas, you must visit Ribeira Sacra. It’s one of the most beautiful wine appellations I’ve ever seen. A good place to eat and taste wines is Adega Algueira, They have a restaurant on premise.
You’d go through Bierzo first to reach Ribeira Sacra, another great appellation to visit. Bodegas y Viñedos Mengoba outside the Bierzo bowl makes singular wines. Gregory Perez is French with Spanish ancestry I believe.
Those two are top producers in my book.
Expect rain in Rias Baixas after the sunshine of Ribeira Sacra.
In Pontevedra area, Bodegas Albamar, Bodegas Zarate, are top producers.
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Sounds like a blast. Is that seven hotels changes?
It’s only 5 if you don’t count arriving and departing from Madrid 
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Claude, thank you for your recommendations! We drink Albamar and Zarate here, but Zarate did not answer my email, and I have not been able to find contact info for Albamar. The only visit we have scheduled now is Bodegas Gerardo Méndez.
Thank you for everyone who has chimed in. We’ll be in the San Sebastian area for 3 nights next month. Looks like our hotel has a very nice dining program.
Hi up in San Sebastian is Restaurant Rekondo. The food would be excellent in any other city in Europe but against the local competition here I’d say it’s only very good. It’s second billing to what is easily the best wine list in the city and possibly northwest Spain. Both in depth and especially in pricing. And the setting/decor is lovely. Our (very gastronomically inclined) group of friends spent a week long trip in the area - including meals at a few 3 stars, Elkano and the full guided pintxos scene. And our leisurely afternoon at Rekondo - ask for a peek around the cellar - was a top 3 experience along with etxebarri and casa Julian - graded by how much we still talk about it and can’t wait to return. Possibly #1.
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Just got an appt at Albamar
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