I was planning to launch this newsletter with the New Year — fresh start, clean slate — but so many exciting things are happening right now that we thought: let’s just get cracking.
This is the first edition of our monthly Sense Experiences newsletter — a simple, genuine way to stay in touch, share what we’re working on, and highlight the wines, regions and stories that have inspired us recently.
Each month we’ll keep things light:
where we’ve been
what we’ve been writing
what’s in our glass
what we’ve been reading
what we’ve been listening to
and what’s coming next
Just one email a month, nothing more.
And if at any time you’d prefer not to receive these updates, you can unsubscribe using the link at the bottom — no problem at all.
Let’s get started.
The last month has been a busy one — the kind of busy that keeps us learning, so that when you travel with us, everything feels effortless and deeply authentic.
We began with a research trip to Piedmont, preparing for our March 2026 tour: misty hills, truffle season, Cannubi views, and long conversations with producers about what makes this region so timeless.
Then it was on to London for the big Murcia wine event at Hispania, where Peter Richards MW led two excellent masterclasses and spoke about the “really interesting things happening in Bullas.” Hearing that reminded us why we’re committed to shining a light on the places you may not have discovered yet — but soon will.
Next came Castilla-La Mancha: a night in Tomelloso, time with Elías López Montero at Beat Bar, and a visit to the historic caves beneath Bodega Verum. These behind-the-scenes days help us craft experiences that bring you closer to the people and stories behind the wines.
And at the start of November, we made a quick stop in Bilbao — brief, but enough to spark ideas for something we may build into the future.
Every trip we take, every producer we meet, and every region we explore has one purpose:
to help you experience wine, culture and place in a way that feels real, local and unforgettable.
Everything we’ve been working on this month has gone into Substack — short stories and reflections designed to help you understand the places we visit long before you ever set foot there.
Piedmont research notes Good Wine Tours Don’t Happen by Accident
The Murcia wine event in London - A Spanish Discovery in London: Murcia in the Square Mile
Tomelloso, Beat Wines & the Verum caves - Down in the caves with the Wine King of Castilla La Mancha
A short reflection on Bilbao - Txikiteros Clubs - by Anthony Higgins
We always like to end the year with a wine that reminds us why we do what we do. This month, that glass belongs to Verum Ulterior Parcela Nº6 — a wine that feels as deep and thoughtful as the landscape it comes from.
It’s made by Elías López Montero in Tomelloso, and spending time with him recently — both at Beat Bar and down in the old underground caves — gave us a clearer sense of the region’s soul. The wine itself is bright, textured and quietly complex… the kind you think about for a moment before taking the next sip.
Read about it here: ULTERIOR GARNACHA PARCELA Nº6
Every wine we enjoy on the road helps us guide you better when you travel with us: the people behind the bottle, the stories, the decisions, the landscape… it’s all part of the journey we create for you.
We’re always looking for good stories and fresh perspectives — because the more we learn, the better we can guide you when you explore these regions for yourself.
Substack has become one of our favourite places for thoughtful, personal wine writing. It’s where we publish our own work, but it’s also a great platform for discovering new voices and deeper ideas across the wine world.
Miguel — one of Galicia’s sharpest sommeliers — digs deep into Albariño’s true identity, far beyond the “fresh and aromatic” cliché we’ve all been taught. From Roman seeds to medieval monks and today’s terroir-focused revival, he explains why this grape may now be edging toward the world’s great whites. A brilliant read if you love Galicia or want to understand Albariño properly.
Galician Winescapes Tasting the Soul of Celtic Spain
In his latest blog, James tackles one of the wine industry’s least-discussed issues: real pricing transparency. He argues that consumers deserve far more clarity about what wine really costs, why, and how the trade positions it today. Thoughtful and provocative — it challenges all of us to rethink how wine is communicated.
Dan’s newest book is a straight-talking guide to great wine — fun, lively and full of energy, just like Noble Rot. It’s about understanding why some bottles matter, what makes them magical, and how to drink better without overthinking it.
Ferran — sommelier, educator and friend — takes you on a journey to uncover what makes one single bottle truly exceptional. Part detective story, part wine philosophy, it blends science, tasting and storytelling in a way only Ferran can. Thoughtful, curious and very human.
Since we were with Elías recently in Tomelloso — exploring the caves and catching up at Beat Bar — it felt like the right moment to revisit his conversation with Tim Atkin MW. It’s a brilliant episode that gets to the heart of Verum’s philosophy, the history of the region, and why Castilla–La Mancha is producing some of Spain’s most exciting wines right now.
We’ve also been tuned into the latest episodes of Wine Blast — always lively, insightful and full of energy. And after meeting Peter Richards MW at the Murcia tasting in London, it’s a podcast we naturally keep close. The newest episodes continue to offer that balance of fun, curiosity and depth that makes them one of the most engaging wine shows around.
As the year winds down, we’ll be spending Christmas with family in the North East of England — a chance to slow down a little, reconnect, and recharge before 2026 begins.
But even when we’re away, we’re always looking for stories that can help you discover new regions and new ways of seeing wine. While we’re in the North East, we’ll be meeting up with a few contacts in the wine world, tasting what’s new, and gathering ideas to share with you in the months ahead.
And once January arrives, we’ll be back on the road in Spain — preparing for 2026, shaping our routes, and bringing you the kind of behind-the-scenes experiences that make every journey feel authentic and personal.
So, have a very Happy Christmas! Because there’s a lot to look forward to in 2026.
If you’re starting to think about your own travels for next year, feel free to have a look at what we’re planning on the website.
Everything we do is slow-paced and built around real people, real places and real stories.
Thanks for reading — and remember, you can unsubscribe anytime using the link below.
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