Move aside Prowein, we’re off to Cadalvin!

As the rest of the wine world headed to Düsseldorf for Prowein, we jumped in the car—better halves in tow—and made our way west to Cadalso de los Vidrios for the annual fair, Caldavin. Just an hour and fifteen minutes from home, over the hills and far away.

Navigating a maze of one-way streets (a couple in the wrong direction), we finally arrived, just a stone’s throw from where we pick up our wines from 4Monos. The town plaza was closed off for the event, leaving the surrounding streets eerily quiet—until we followed the sound of laughter and clinking glasses.

The queue for jamón and queso came into view before the marquee itself. Noise, fun, and chatter—a Spanish scene in its essence.

Caldavin is an annual wine fair celebrating the wines of Madrid. Charley first heard about it at the Casa de Campo farmers’ market, and I’m so glad she did. This year, 15 bodegas took part. For a very reasonable €4.80 or so, you got a glass and six tasting coupons. To call the pours generous would be an understatement. This was no half-hearted affair—it was a celebration, bringing the community and its surroundings together, united by a love of wine.

Inside the tent, the atmosphere was anything but quiet or stuffy. A few well-lubricated enthusiasts jostled about, balancing plastic plates of jamón precariously on any available surface. The energy was infectious. Winemakers, their families, friends, and locals gathered around tables, each with a small queue leading to smiling, welcoming faces.

As a newcomer to Spain’s incredibly diverse and rich winemaking landscape, it was a fantastic way to immerse myself in a new region. Meeting the producers—often alongside their parents, children, and friends—added a deeply personal touch. We discovered new grape varieties (hello, Malvar!), tasted more garnachas then you can shake a stick at and found exciting bodegas for the box. Not to mention deepening my love affair with albillo real.

It was a joy, and we can’t wait to share the wines and stories with you in Handpicked Spanish Wines Club. We’ve also lined up a fantastic visit to a bodega for our subscribers, including an alfresco tasting and a picnic among the vines.

Safe to say, we’ll see you in 2026, Caldavin.