Ribera del Duero is a Spanish Denominación de Origen Protegida (DOP) located in the country's northern plateau and is one of eleven 'quality wine' regions within the autonomous community of Castile and León.

[5] Reports that it was set to be upgraded to denominación de origen calificada (DOCa) status in 2008 proved to be unfounded and, as at 2011, it remains a DO and has no plans to change.

[6] Ribero del Duero wines are currently enjoying greater popularity, thanks largely to the considerable interest shown in the area by experienced growers from other regions.

The vast majority of production is dedicated to Tinto Fino (the local name for Tempranillo[a]), the dominant red varietal in the northern half of the Spanish peninsula.

The DOP's authorized red grapes are: Tinto Fino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, and Garnacha Tinta.

Viña Sastre is one of the region's more respected wine producers and the world-renowned Vega Sicilia easily the most famous.

Vega Sicilia's more eminent customers include Charles III of the British royal family, while Alex Ferguson's favourite wine is Pesquera.

Another outstanding and bio winery is Bodega Páramo Arroyo, a family-owned project with all their production certified as ecological since foundation.