Flavors of Portugal & Spain Tour/Cruise, April 22 - May 3, 2025, with Rob Griffin & Deborah Barnard of Barnard Griffin Winery

Rob Griffin – Founder, Owner & Winemaker

When Rob Griffin arrived in Washington in 1977 the state’s wine industry consisted of less than ten producers.Nearly forty years later that number approaches eight hundred wineries.Washington state is now second only to California in USA wine and grape production.Rob has more years of production experience in country than any other Washington winemaker and, along with his wife Deborah Barnard, has guided Barnard Griffin Winery to be one of the largest and most respected family-owned producers in the state.

A 1975 honors graduate of the University of California at Davis in fermentation science, Rob’s winery has won frequent awards and plaudits including numerous double gold and best of category awards, Wine Spectator Top 100 ratings, and was rated 2006 Northwest Winery of the Year.Rob has served as President of the Washington Wine Institute and as a frequent spokesperson for Washington state’s exciting young wine industry.Daughters Elise Jackson and Megan Hughes have joined the winery effort in sales and production.The second generation is in place and the family looks forward to a great future.

Rob Griffin and Deborah Barnard invite you to join them for this “Bucket List” trip to Spain and Portugal.We’ll spend two nights in the Spanish capital of Madrid, then two nights in Penafiel, the heart of the upper Douro wine region, in a 12th century monastery converted to a deluxe, five-star hotel.From Spain cross into Portugal and join a 7-night Douro River cruise to Porto.

On board will be an ample provision of Barnard-Griffin wines, along with local Iberian vintages. This exclusive holiday is dedicated to great food, fine wine and plentiful sunshine.Join us on this once in a lifetime wine experience.Feel free to share this website with any like-minded friends.

– Rob Griffin & Deborah Barnard