Rías Baixas Launches 2026 Albariño Roadshow in U.S. to Boost White Wine Presence

The Spanish wine region D.O. Rías Baixas will return to the United States in April 2026 with its fourth annual Albariño Roadshow, bringing more than twenty producers from Spain’s well-known white wine appellation. The Roadshow will visit Chicago on April 13 and Boston on April 15, marking the start of a year-long campaign aimed at increasing engagement with U.S. trade professionals and media. Organizers have also scheduled appearances at major food and wine events, including Pebble Beach Food & Wine in California from April 9 to 12, the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen from June 19 to 21, and TEXSOM in Dallas from August 21 to 23.

The 2026 Albariño Roadshow will offer attendees the chance to taste over sixty wines from Rías Baixas, highlighting the region’s Atlantic-influenced terroir and stylistic range. The program includes VIP seminars and trend discussions led by industry experts such as Kathleen Hawkins of Lettuce Entertain You at the St. Regis, Marianne Frantz of the American Wine School, and Jeffrey Hyman of Barcelona & Corsica Wine Bar in Boston. These sessions are designed to provide deeper insight into the region’s winemaking traditions and current market trends.

Rías Baixas has seen steady growth in the U.S. market over the past decade, outpacing many other fine wine categories. According to data from the Consejo Regulador of D.O. Rías Baixas, exports to the U.S. reached record levels between September 2024 and August 2025, with total sales rising to $25.8 million (up 1.6%) and volume reaching 2.9 million liters (up 2.6%). This growth is attributed to ongoing investment in trade education and marketing initiatives like the Albariño Roadshow, which has helped establish Rías Baixas as a leading producer of high-quality white wines.

Albariño, the signature grape of Rías Baixas, is native to Galicia on Spain’s northwest coast. Known for its crisp acidity and aromatic profile featuring citrus, stone fruit, and floral notes, Albariño wines are recognized for their freshness and ability to age well. The region’s maritime climate and granitic soils contribute to the grape’s distinctive character, making these wines popular among sommeliers and beverage directors across the United States.

The Denomination of Origin (DO) Rías Baixas was established in 1988 and is located in Galicia, a region known for its cool Atlantic climate and mineral-rich soils. These conditions are similar to those found in other renowned white wine regions such as France’s Loire Valley, New Zealand, and Germany’s Rhine area. The U.S. remains the most important export market for Rías Baixas wines, with demand continuing to rise as more consumers discover Albariño’s versatility and food-friendly appeal.

Family-owned wineries play a significant role in maintaining quality standards within Rías Baixas, contributing to consistent recognition for their wines on leading restaurant lists nationwide. The upcoming Roadshow aims to further strengthen relationships with U.S. trade professionals while showcasing both traditional and innovative expressions of Albariño, including youthful styles, age-worthy “sobre lías” bottlings, sparkling espumosos made by traditional methods, and rare red wines from the region.

As interest in Spanish white wines grows among American consumers and industry professionals alike, events like the Albariño Roadshow serve as key opportunities for education and connection between producers and their largest export market.