Things to do in La Rioja, Spain

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.

Embark on a unique experience as we head south, entering the prestigious wine region of La Rioja, where you’ll be treated to breathtaking views over a vast sea of vineyards. Along the way, we’ll pass through picturesque villages and numerous wineries of all kinds, immersing you in the rich winemaking tradition of the area. Our first stop will be in Laguardia, one of the most charming and beautiful towns in La Rioja. Here, we’ll take a guided walking tour through its historic center, where you can admire its unique architecture and welcoming atmosphere. You’ll also enjoy a guided visit to a traditional winery, complete with a wine tasting where you can savor the distinctive flavors and aromas of the region. Afterward, you’ll have some free time to explore Laguardia before we head to Vitoria/Gasteiz, the capital of the Basque Country. In this city, we’ll take a pleasant stroll through its historic center, known for its blend of tradition and modernity. To conclude this cultural and gastronomic experience, we’ll treat you to a tasting of typical Basque sweets at a renowned artisanal chocolate shop, where you’ll indulge in the rich flavors of local pastries. Throughout the day, we invite you to enjoy a journey filled with history, culture, gastronomy, and, of course, the exquisite wines of the region.

Explore two beautiful wineries of the La Rioja region from San Sebastian on a guided tour. Enjoy the Rioja wines, walk through the vineyards, and learn about the wine-making process on a guided tour. After being picked up from your accommodation enjoy a drive through the beautiful landscapes. Have a relaxing walk through the vineyards, learning the wine-making process from the grape harvest to the maturation, and finish the experience with Rioja wine tasting in each winery. During the tour, you will also visit a charming medieval village, Laguardia.

At CVNE, wine tourism sounds like historic ships, Gustave Eiffel, gigantic vats, caves housing thousands of barrels and bottles, vineyard refuges, chateaux, sensory workshops and Rioja gastronomy. In these 140 years, it has turned a walk through its vineyards and barrels into the perfect experience. With this visit you can discover centenary wines in the Wine Cemetery, customize bottles and taste unique flavors in the Wine Bar, among other activities. CVNE has an extensive program of visits with experiences, schedules and tours adapted to all tastes and all audiences.

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.

The visit begins with a detailed explanation of the historic vineyards of the historical vineyards of the Eastern Rioja, its distinctive grape varieties that have been grape varieties that have traditionally been grown in the area, in plots of land traditionally grown in the area, in plots worked with the traditional know-how passed down by our ancestors. We will continue with a tour of the tour of the winemaking and ageing rooms of the urban winery, where you will learn where you will learn how these wines are elaborated and aged in barrels and age these wines in barrels, amphorae and concrete tanks in such a unique such a unique space. They will taste 4 wines that form part of the Arizcuren project: the Monte Gatun municipal wine, two varietals and, as a and an exclusive parcel wine as a colophon. All these wines together are present in the menus of more than 30 Michelin-starred restaurants. Michelin-starred restaurants. The tasting will be accompanied by our own organic olive oil and an appetizer olive oil and an appetizer consisting of Iberian pork loin Iberian pork loin and bread from a wood-fired oven.

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

Enjoy a complete winery experience in the famous region of La Rioja. Be picked up from your hotel in San Sebastian, Bilbao, or Vitoria and embark on a guided tour to La Rioja Alavesa area, surrounded by beautiful scenery. Visit a traditional vineyard and enjoy a tasting session. Learn how wine is made, explore a beautiful vineyard and take a tour through a bodega. Refine your palette with a wine tasting session, then indulge in a delicious lunch with local produce, desserts and a range of wines carefully selected from the vineyard's cellar. Relax as you are driven back to your accommodation later in the afternoon, gastronomically satisfied and equipped with your newly found connoisseur's knowledge.

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.

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.