About

I am interested in what lies behind a place:
culture, wine, food and identity

For me, travel has always been about learning: understanding a place through its wine, food, people and history. Not simply seeing it, but understanding what makes it what it is. That curiosity has shaped my entire professional life.

I was born in Spain into a Chilean family, and I have more than 25 years of experience in tourism and over 15 years specialising in wine tourism. That experience has taught me to listen, understand different perspectives and adapt each experience to the people in front of me.

I believe knowledge should be shared with clarity and warmth. It should be accessible, enjoyable and worth sharing.

Today, I develop projects in wine tourism, cultural travel and bespoke experiences. I am the founder of Ambia Tours, Private Tours Valencia y BlancoTinto (boutique online wine shop and distributor).

Career

Wine tourism specialist, Licensed Tour Guide and designer of bespoke wine journeys in Spain

My professional journey began in tourism, working as a travel agent, licensed tour guide and event organizer. Those early years gave me a deep understanding of how a travel experience is designed, communicated and experienced from the traveler’s perspective.

Over time, I became increasingly drawn to the world of wine, specializing in wine communication, tastings and wine tourism.

That transition shaped the way I work today: bringing together tourism, wine and the interpretation of place.

During all these years, I have developed an approach based on knowledge, curiosity and the ability to connect with people from different cultures.

I have worked with international travelers from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia and Latin America. This has given me a broad understanding of different ways of travelling, as well as the interests and expectations of different audiences.

My professional education includes:

  • Licensed Tour Guide of the Valencian Region. Spanish, English, German and Mandarin Chinese.

  • WSET Diploma – Level 4 (Wine & Spirit Education Trust, London)

  • Weinakademiker (Rust, Austria)

  • Master’s Degree in Valencian Wines (Valencia D.O. Regulatory Council)

  • Professional Sommelier Certification (Valencia Tourism School)

I see professional education as an ongoing process. In wine and tourism, there is always something new to discover.

In 2023, I was part of the winning team at the Spanish Blind Tasting Championship, followed by a fourth-place finish at the International Blind Tasting Championship in Provence, France.

Wine & Tourism

Wine tourism as a gateway to place and culture

For me, wine is not simply a drink. It is a way of understanding a place and its culture.

A wine can tell us about landscape, agriculture, history, food, economics and tradition. It can also tell us about the people who have shaped a region over generations.

That is why my approach to wine tourism goes beyond visiting a winery or tasting a selection of wines.

I am interested in creating context: understanding where a wine comes from, what defines it and what it tells us about its origins.

I work particularly with Spanish wine, while my interest extends to the wider world of wine.

My background in tourism also allows me to look at wine from the traveller’s perspective, adapting each experience to different interests, levels of knowledge and ways of travelling.

Projects

Ambia Tours | Wine, food and cultural experiences in Spain

Cultural and wine tourism experiences connecting local territory, food, wine and culture through an authentic, locally rooted approach.

Discover Ambia Tours →

Private Tours Valencia Valencia by Valeria | Bespoke experiences in Valencia

I design private and customized experiences that explore Valencia through its food, wine, history and culture, with personal accompaniment and a flexible approach shaped around each traveller.

Discover PTV →

BlancoTinto | Great Small Wines

A boutique online wine shop and wine distribution project.

BlancoTinto is a natural extension of the conversations about wine I have with travellers: a place where I select and share wines I know, trust and genuinely enjoy.

Each bottle is chosen for its ability to express a sense of place — its grape varieties, its character and the people behind it.

Discover BlancoTinto →

Author | The best bike routes in and around Valencia

I am the author of The best bike routes in and around Valencia, a book offering a more personal way to explore the city and its surroundings.

Writing it was a natural extension of my work: another way of sharing my perspective on Valencia and encouraging people to discover the city beyond the obvious.

View the book on Amazon →

Wine education & communication

I collaborate on projects involving wine tourism, wine communication and food and wine experiences, as well as initiatives connected with gastronomic culture and the interpretation of place.

Collaborations

Projects with substance and purpose

I have worked with travellers, companies and professionals across different areas of tourism, wine and hospitality.

I am particularly interested in collaborations where experience and knowledge can create genuine value.

  • Specialist travel agencies & tour operators
    Designing and delivering experiences for international travellers.

  • Wineries & wine producers
    Wine tourism, experiences, education and communication.

  • Food & cultural brands
    Content, experiences and projects connected with place, identity and gastronomy.

  • Hotels & hospitality projects
    Cultural, gastronomic and wine experiences for guests.

  • Companies & institutions
    Wine tastings, education, presentations and private experiences.

  • Media & editorial projects
    Collaborations around wine, food, travel and culture.

I value consistency, integrity and quality in every collaboration.

Let’s talk

If you are developing a project in tourism, wine, gastronomy or culture and believe my experience could contribute, I would be very happy to hear from you.

We can keep in touch on social networks

Valeria Valdebenito
Wine & Wine Tourism Specialist | Licensed Tour Guide
WSET Diploma · Weinakademiker
Valencia, Spain

Or if you prefer...

Call me

+34 628 876 480
Contact me

valeria@ambiatours.com