For years, Nairobi’s wine circles have been comfortably swirling around French and Italian classics. The familiar rhythm of Bordeaux, Chianti, and Prosecco has shaped much of the city’s wine experiences—whether at long Sunday brunches, cozy wine bars, or high-society galas. But there’s a new wave slowly making its way to our glasses: Spanish wines.
At Taste Spain Nairobi 2025, held on June 12th at the beautiful Shamba Events venue in Loresho, Nairobians were treated to an authentic sip of Spain’s best—and it’s safe to say, Spanish wines may just be the next big thing in the city’s evolving wine scene.
Spain isn’t just a country that loves wine—it’s a global wine powerhouse, home to the largest vineyard area in the world and one of the top wine producers. From the bold reds of Rioja to the crisp Albariños of Rías Baixas and the festive bubbles of Cava, Spain’s wine story is one of diversity and rich tradition waiting to be discovered.
Organized by the Economic and Commercial Office of the Spanish Embassy in Nairobi, the event was more than a tasting—it was a celebration of Spain’s food and beverage heritage. It was a curated invitation to explore, question, and fall in love with something new. Spanish wines aren’t about exclusivity or complicated rituals—they’re about sharing, enjoying, and making wine a part of everyday life, just as it is in Spain.
Eight Spanish companies flew in to present their carefully curated wines, each passionately looking to form partnerships with Kenyan distributors, hotels, and restaurants. It felt like walking through a Spanish mercado—only this time, it was Nairobi’s wine enthusiasts and key industry players who were doing the exploring.
Also present were Kenyan companies that already import Spanish products, sharing their stories of discovery, successful collaborations, and why they believe Spanish wines deserve more shelf space in Nairobi’s premium outlets.
One of the standout experiences of the day was the masterclass on Spanish wines led by Victoria Munywoki, a leading Nairobi-based sommelier who effortlessly transported us to Spain’s famed regions—from Rioja to Ribera del Duero, from Rías Baixas to Priorat. It was a crash course that broke the myth that Spanish wines are just about tempranillo and sangria. There’s complexity, there’s freshness, and there’s so much regional diversity waiting to be uncorked. ” And unlike other wine traditions, Spain is very clear about aging—you can easily tell if you’re getting a young, fresh wine or a beautifully aged Gran Reserva just by reading the label,” the sommelier shared during the masterclass.
Pair that with authentic Spanish tapas served throughout the event, and it became clear—Spanish wines aren’t meant to be sipped in silence. They come alive with food, with laughter, and with company. Whether it’s fresh seafood, flavour-packed tapas, grilled meats, there’s always a Spanish wine ready to elevate the moment.
The wine culture in Nairobi is growing, evolving, and opening its doors to new stories. We’ve long appreciated a good bottle of Bordeaux or a fine Brunello, but events like Taste Spain are gently shifting the conversation. We’re becoming curious. We’re asking: what else is out there? What’s the next bottle that will wow us? Spanish wines—with their bold reds, crisp whites, and affordable sparkling cavas—are well-poised to answer.
And maybe that’s the most beautiful part—unlike the often formal approach to wine, in Spain, wine is part of everyday life, not just a luxury. It’s enjoyed casually, often with meals, where the emphasis is on sharing, conversation, and simple enjoyment rather than strict tasting rituals.
With this relaxed spirit, perhaps Spanish wines will not only find their way into Nairobi’s wine lists—but also into our homes, our brunches, our stories, and our memories.
