7. From Bilbao: Day trip to Laguardia, Briones and Murua
We will be waiting for you at the main entrance of the Guggenheim in Bilbao, where Puppy will witness your departure to the most beautiful villages of Spain. Places where Laguardia is a mandatory stop. This is precisely where we will stop first. The welcoming door to the Rioja Alavesa with a classic medieval touch in which an intense aroma of wine is released.
We will walk through the historic area of Laguardia while we briefly tell you the history of this town and the Rioja Alavesa. We will go up to the Casa de la Primicia, the most outstanding example of medieval and Renaissance architecture that rises above its cobblestone streets. And at the ends of this population you will not miss the churches of Santa Maria de los Reyes and San Juan Bautista.
Between steps, and with the best daylight, you can discover how Laguardia is a town full of wineries -not for less because of its location-. On the first floor of many commercial establishments you will see places where delicious wines are made, although your oenological moment will come after the visit to this town, when you arrive at the Murua Masaveu Winery, a few minutes from here.
Getting off the bus in front of the manor house in the village of Elciego is like breathing in the smell of 100% Rioja wines. The quality, the treatment of the product and its detailed and careful elaboration result in a delicious product. More than 80 hectares of vineyards will welcome us just before entering the interior of the Bodegas Murua building. A space divided into several areas, which houses works of art from the sixteenth century and contains a library with copies of several centuries ago. And where, of course, you will discover the secrets of winemaking.
It will be a great experience to learn about the cult of wine that takes place in some wineries halfway between Laguardia and Briones, where we will go. A short drive will take us to the most beautiful village in the north of La Rioja. Medieval architecture, cobblestone streets and buildings and a square that is the envy of many. But before you start touring this town, how about a break to recharge your batteries? We will give you the best recommendations to taste the best of its local gastronomy.
After lunch, we will meet again to visit the church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, which presides over Briones and the Plaza de España thanks to the height of its bell tower. From there we will go to the Briones Town Hall in the Casa-Palacio de los Marqueses de San Nicolás to also see the Old Abbey, the Palacio de los Quincoces or the famous Torre del Homenaje (Homage Tower).
After visiting Briones we will return to Bilbao after discovering a vision as rural as it is beautiful of the Rioja Alavesa.