Travel the iconic N-122 road is to accept, almost automatically, a journey interrupted by irresistible food stops.
This was the origin of N-122 Duero Valley –Duero Valley in its international version–, an itinerary that, from Sardón de Duero to Peñafiel, seeks to immerse the traveler in the history of three great wineries –Abadía Retuerta, Arzuaga and Pago de Carraovejas–, all located in a stretch of just 30 kilometers of the road in question, to value the Michelin stars that their restaurants have (with a decoration each): Refectory, Arzuaga and Ambivium.
Marco Llorente with a Dior Meny sweater and Isabel Marant glasses. Clara, with a Loewe shirt, a Stella Mccartney sweater, Missoni sunglasses and a Cashfana hat.
In addition, the first, at the Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine hotel, boasts a green star, awarded at the end of 2020 by its commitment to the environment. The experience becomes even more perfect with a stay at the Hotel & Spa Arzuaga.
And that is the raison d'être of N-122 Valle del Duero, a route that was born from an after-meal, which arose from the desire to revive the hospitality industry, that emerged with a clear objective: to conquer any lover of good food –and wine, of course– in a unique setting.
“When everything seemed impossible and optimism suffered, the management teams of the three wineries came together to develop this project encouraged by the recognition of the Michelin Guide and by the need to unite to create a destination of national and international reference”, affirms the team.
Marco Llorente in a Dries Van Noten shirt, Acne Studio pants, Fred Perry socks and Tod's sandals.
The ideology of N-122 Valle del Duero also includes a defense of proximity getaways, sustainability, a commitment to rural tourism and, consequently, a subtle way of championing concepts such as slow travel, digital nomadism and bleisure, intrinsic to the current traveling reality.
“At N-122 Valle del Duero we want everything you expect to happen. Concerts, art, literary and cinematographic meetings, talks at sunset... Endless magical moments marked by the calendar, the seasons and the desire to embark on the journey again”, they point out.
A gastronomic road trip to enjoy with all the senses.
This hopeful initiative would not have been possible without the union of professionals from different sectors: the director Daniel Cuenca, hand in hand with the Madrid production company Amarguería and author of video clips of La Casa Azul and Soleá Morente, signs the video with which they have greeted the world; Javier Peral, regular collaborator of Amaya Arzuaga and international firms such as Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton and Gucci, he is the author of the music; and behind the lens is the photographer Yago Castromil.
Together they immortalized the maiden voyage that you see here, starring the illustrator Mercedes Bellido, the model and DJ Marco Llorente, the model Marta Ortiz –now focused on Matiz, its sustainable fashion platform–, actor Hugo Alejo and Clara Díez, cheese activist and founder of Formaje. Together with them they opened fire, of course, the chefs, Marc Segarra, from Refectory; Víctor Gutiérrez, from Taller Arzuaga; and Cristobal Munoz, of Ambivium.
Marco Llorente (wearing an Ernesto Naranjo shirt, David Beckham sunglasses and Dior Homme pants) and Mercedes Bellido (wearing a Leyre Doueil dress for Es Fascinante and Max Mara sunglasses).
An enormous cultural wealth, genuine flavors, accommodations where time stops and landscapes to delight our retinas. What more can you ask of a roadtrip? Do it. In short, live it.
This report was published in the number 147 of the Condé Nast Traveler Magazine (Fall 2021). Subscribe to the printed edition (€18.00, annual subscription, by calling 902 53 55 57 or from our website). The April issue of Condé Nast Traveler is available in its digital version to enjoy on your preferred device