Free walking tours in La Seca and what to see

Must-sees

La Seca is a village in the Tierra de Pinares of Valladolid province, a few kilometres from the Duero and in the very heart of the Rueda appellation. It calls itself the cradle of Verdejo, and that is no exaggeration: much of its land is covered in vines and many of the area's wineries are in the municipality. In the centre, the church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción stands out, a 16th-century Renaissance building in brick, with a tower visible from afar and a Baroque organ inside.

Beneath the village are traditional underground cellars, galleries dug to keep wine at a constant temperature, which show how wine was made here before modern wineries. It is worth heading out on foot or by bike among the vines, especially in autumn, when they change colour after the harvest. Close by are Rueda, Medina del Campo with the castle of La Mota, and Tordesillas, which round off the visit nicely.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours in La Seca, but there are several guided winery visits in the Rueda appellation that you can book. They usually include a walk through the vineyard, a tour of the production area and a Verdejo tasting, and some also show an underground cellar. Groups are small and booking is advisable, especially at weekends and during the harvest.

How long to spend

The village itself can be seen in an hour, with the church and a stroll through the streets. The wineries are what take time: a visit with tasting takes up half a morning, so in a full day you can do two and have lunch in the area. If you want to add Medina del Campo or Tordesillas, plan a weekend.

Where to stay

La Seca has little accommodation, with a few rural houses and wine-tourism stays among the vineyards, which are a good option if you want peace and quiet. For more choice, Medina del Campo and Tordesillas are close by and have more services and restaurants. Rueda, right next door, is another convenient base for visiting the wineries.