Laguardia

Tours

Direct departure to La Rioja to reach Haro, the capital of Rioja wine, where we will visit CVNE, a centenary and emblematic winery in the area where we will take a guided tour including wine tasting. We will then go on a guided walking tour of the historical centre of Haro, walking through Plaza de la Paz. We continue on to the beautiful medieval town of Laguardia, where will start a walk through its picturesque narrow streets and then a guided visit to a small traditional winery where we will be able to learn about the wine making process from a more familiar perspective. After the visit, we will have free time for lunch. Before returning to Bilbao, we will pass through Elciego to discover the building of Marqués de Riscal, an outstanding example of modern architecture and a symbol of La Rioja region.

Discover both the ancient and modern beauty of Bilbao's surrounding towns on an insightful excursion. Visit the Marques de Riscal and Ysios wineries to gaze at the innovative architecture and taste some Rioja wines. Explore the medieval town of LaGuardia and enjoy a traditional pintxos lunch. Depart from Bilbao to tour the Marques de Riscal winery, designed by one of today's leading architects, Franck Gehry. Admire the breathtaking structure made of titanium, stainless steel, wood, and sandstone. Taste their white wine, their Crianza red wine, and their award-winning Rioja Reserva. Move on to the Ysios cellar to take some of the best picture and observe a structure with many architectural features, such as the roof, meant to resemble the Sierra Cantabria. Visit Ysios or an alternative winery depending on availability. Take a walk through a medieval village of Rioja Alavesa region. Finally, enjoy a Riojano lunch of 3 traditional 'pintxos' with Rioja wine.

We will head south and once we have entered the Rioja wine region; we will enjoy magnificent views over a sea of vineyards. We will pass through typical villages and countless wineries of all types. In Laguardia, one of the most beautiful and charming villages in La Rioja, we will start a walking tour of its historic centre. It is included as well a guided visit to a traditional winery with wine tasting. We will have some free time in Laguardia. Lunch not included. Afterwards, in Vitoria/Gasteiz, the capital of the Basque Country, we will enjoy a nice walking tour to the interesting centre. It is included as well a tasting of typical sweet in a Basque top quality artisan chocolate shop.

The neighboring region of La Rioja is characterized by its millenary tradition in the production of wine, which some say comes from Roman times. In any case, it is known that at the end of the 19th century Bordeaux winemakers came to the area, identifying suitable characteristics in its terrain and climate, to begin an extensive production that has made the DO Rioja the most important in the country today in day. Take advantage of the opportunity offered by this tour to visit two medium-sized wineries in the area (we always try to stay away from crowded groups) and learn the secrets of winemaking. We will also visit the medieval village of Laguardia, on top of a hill, to enjoy a panoramic view of the great plain of vineyards. Approximate itinerary from Pamplona: 9:45 Pick up and departure from Pamplona 11:00 Visit to the first winery and wine tasting 1:00 Visit to the second winery and wine tasting 2:00 Arrival in Laguardia and light meal. 3:30 Departure from Laguardia 4:45 Drop off in Pamplona

Discover the secrets of Rioja wines on this day trip from Bilbao. Travel aboard an a premium vehicle and travel to 2 unique boutique wineries. Listen as your guide decodes the wine grading process for you. Sample a variety of wines and sit down to a Spanish picnic in a scenic vineyard spot.  Dive into determining the quality of Rioja wines like Cosecha, Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reservas. Hear about the facinating aging process for each type of wine.Visit wineries that were purposefully chosen for their contrasts and uniqueness. The majority of the wines that you taste will have received 90+ points from the renowned wine experts Tim Atkin and James Suckling. Be served a variety of local cheeses, cold meats, nuts, and other traditional products as appetizers throughout the day. Settle in to a charming picnic in one of the wineries with traditional Spanish products such as Iberican Ham or a Spanish omelet. Finally, you walk through the town of LaGuardia, a walled medieval city that is one of the most picturesque villages in the Rioja Alavesa region. Return to your accommodation in Bilbao at the end of your tour. 

Boutique Winery Tour A visit to 3 historic and emblematic wineries is included to highlight the absolute pinnacle and prestige of the La Rioja winemaking. These estates produce wine that rates in the top 100 of Rioja wines with more than 90 Parker Points. There will be tastings of both red and white wines so you will have a thorough overview of the La Rioja wine region. First, you will visit a spectacular boutique winery centuries old winery in a village located in the beautiful Ebro Valley of the La Rioja wine country. This winery will include a 1 hour tour and 3 subsequent tastings of their premium wines only available to clients who visit this special winery. 2 Special Winery Visits Our next visits will be tasting experiences at boutique family-run wineries. We will have tastings of the most premium wines from their oldest vines. You will also get to sample their limited-quantity olive oil with fresh bread, cheese and chorizo. Medieval Village of LaGuardia We will then head to the 10th century village of Laguardia for a walking tour through the charming streets. We will stop for lunch at a local restaurant or pintxo/tapas bar depending on your preference and appetite. After lunch, we will take a leisurely stroll through the beautiful town pointing out sites of interest. There is also amazing photo opportunities of the entirety of the beautiful Ebro Valley. Outside of LaGuardia there is an elevated view point that offers stunning photo opportunities of the Sierra Cantabria mountain range. Stunning Architecture We will then take you to see the Frank Gehry designed Hotel Marques de Riscal for photos and a walk through the vineyards. We know of a beautiful spot above the winery to take some memorable photos framing the mountains and vineyards lining the valley.

This tour is designed to guide you into one of the oldest traditional "cave-cellars" in the area, dug 7-8 meters (23-26 feet) deep under the houses. This is a fabulous experience not to be missed! This activity also includes top wines in a boutique winery, after we take you to admire the architecture of one of the most famous local wineries, 'Marques del Riscal' winery cellar/hotel, which was designed by Frank Gehry, the architect who designed the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. You will also walk along the medieval streets of Laguardia, one of the most charming towns in La Rioja area, before discovering local home-made food for lunch in an off the beaten track, non touristy restaurant.

Join us on a captivating journey through the picturesque landscapes and exquisite flavors of the renowned La Rioja wine region, starting in Bilbao. This tour provides an immersive experience, allowing you to explore centuries-old winemaking traditions at two unique and historic vineyards. Uncover the secrets of wine production, from vine to bottle, and delve into the rich cultural heritage that shapes each vintage. With breathtaking scenery, delectable wines, and warm hospitality, our La Rioja tour promises an unforgettable adventure for both wine enthusiasts and explorers alike. We will visit two distinctive wineries, sampling some of their finest wines along the way.

Do you know what a draft is? They are a type of underground tunnels that use their natural conditions for the conservation of wine. Its origin is found in medieval times, when the inhabitants of these fortified towns located in border lands sought protection from numerous attacks. It is considered that in Laguardia there are more than 300 caves or tunnels that join them, which for a long time were used as wineries where they made wine. I tell you a secret? We have a private and exclusive draft. A space with many years of history where you can enjoy a selection of wines made by the family accompanied by a snack. If what you dreamed of from your trip was a complete wine tourism experience full of magic, Casa Peque makes it come true! Come and live your unique experience!!

Viña Real dates back to 1920. Today it is not only a pioneering winery in the production of wines for aging in Rioja Alavesa, but also a timeless brand that has always remained true to its origins by being genuine and sincere. A careful balance between tradition and modernity has defined the form and content of Viña Real ever since. The grapes of the Rioja Alavesa are at the heart of this winery. The proximity of the vineyards to the old Camino Real inspired its name. And anchored in the same land, integrated into the Cerro de la Mesa, stands a monumental vat of nearly 30,000 meters: it is the Viña Real building, an iconic design from 2004 that manages to blend the Rioja orography into the construction itself.