Stretching 70 miles from east to west across rolling slopes, dotted with vineyards, wineries and immense natural beauty, Rioja is one of the truly legendary regions of the wine world, yet it remains largely undiscovered in person by most wine lovers. Far from the reaches of the more visited Madrid and Barcelona, Rioja sits in the far north of Spain, bordering on both France and the cool Atlantic Ocean. And yet both Bilbao and San Sebastián are around 100 miles away, making it an accessible region for a day trip – though the lucky few who’ve made the journey tend to stay for longer.
There is no better way to discover a wine region than by visiting it, and Rioja is no different. This is especially important now, as the region has undergone such incredible change in the last 20 years, with new, exciting producers popping up in tastings across the world and classic winemakers finally having their moment in the sun. The picturesque winemaking villages and towns of Rioja are starting to become destinations for wine lovers keen to absorb and understand more about the region.
There’s an expansive line-up of activities on offer, including everything from cycling tours to bespoke wine lunches organised by your own personal Spanish chef
In turn, Rioja’s tourism offering is catching up with demand. Pioneers like Marqués de Riscal and, more recently, Edmond de Rothschild (owner of the deluxe Palacio de Samaniego) have given the region a much-needed boost with what today’s wine-drinking sybarite demands – understated and relaxed luxury in the vines. What’s more, there’s an expansive line-up of activities on offer, including everything from cycling tours to bespoke wine lunches organised by your own personal Spanish chef. You can even float above the Tempranillo vines in a hot-air balloon – picnic included. Diversity is Rioja’s greatest strength; journey back in time in the ancient cellars of CVNE – the winery boasts an unrivalled collection of vintages from the 19th century – or experience the striking modernity of Roda’s chic tasting room.
Walking the vineyards, exploring the wineries and tasting the wines together with those who made it is an experience that cannot be replicated. And while learning about the relationship between variety, soil and climate is already rewarding, doing so under the shadow of the majestic Sierra de Cantabria and in the heartland of exceptional Spanish wine is an experience that’s hard to beat. Our list below covers the very best Rioja winery tours from across the region.
The best Rioja wineries for tours, tastings and more
Abeica
La Rioja
Abeica is a small project currently managed by the 4th generation of the Medina family in Albalos, a small village near San Vicente de la Sonsierra. Rural and charming, Abeica might be off the beaten path but is well worth the visit for its variety of tours – from a straightforward tasting to a guided visit and even the chance to see the traditional stone lagares of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, a remnant of its ancient past. At 500m above sea level the views across the region are stunning. Fintan Kerr
Tours from €17 per person
bodegasabeica.com
Arizcuren
Rioja Alavesa
Javier Arizcuren is one of the most exciting names in Rioja today, and a leading light of a ‘new wave’ within the region. His urban winery is located in Logroño, though his focus is very much on the vineyards of Rioja Oriental. Visits can take place in the winery itself, or you can embark on an adventure to the Yerga mountain range to visit the vineyards directly. Either way, there’s going to be a lot of good wine and an introduction to the new style of Rioja that’s rising up. FK
Tours from €32pp
arizcurenvinos.com
Baigorri
Rioja Alavesa
Bodegas Baigorri, much loved by followers of terroir-driven Riojan wine, is one of the region’s most welcoming destinations. The winery is a striking example of modern architecture, with concrete and glass blending seamlessly into the landscape of Rioja Alavesa. While its on-site restaurant serves such regional delights as oxtail pie or fish soup with cuttlefish, monkfish and clams, those on a guided tour can also indulge in a selection of pintxos prepared by the chef. Tours are offered in Spanish, English, French and German, giving a multinational feel to the winery. James Lawrence
Tours from €20pp
bodegasbaigorri.com
View this post on Instagram
Bodegas Campillo
Rioja Alavesa
After the inauguration of its new bodega in 1990, Campillo quickly established a reputation as an excellent source of modern-style Rioja rich in fruit. It lies at the heart of the Rioja Alavesa sub-region in the pretty village of Laguardia – a worthy attraction in itself. After a leisurely lunch, head to the winery to experience its innovative aroma masterclass, designed to enhance your olfactory skills, before tasting a range of Campillo vintages. It includes a guided tour of the cellar and an apéritif: usually something chilled and/or sparkling. JL
Tours from €25pp
bodegascampillo.com
CVNE
Rioja Alavesa
CVNE is a living legend in Rioja: Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España was created at the height of the phylloxera crisis in the 19th century, giving wines to the world as Bordeaux struggled to meet demands. CVNE’s warehouses and cellars are vast, but tours are bespoke and tailored to individual needs, taking visitors past giant open-topped fermentation tanks and through the impressive barrel room. Many of the brand’s suave, elegant and mellow wines can be enjoyed alongside a meal curated by Miguel Caño, head chef at Los Caños Restaurant in Haro. Book ahead to avoid disappointment. JL
Tours from €25pp
cvne.com
Eguren Ugarte
Rioja Alavesa
There is more than a whiff of Napa Valley in the air at Eguren Ugarte: its luxury hotel – complete with gourmet restaurant – offers spectacular views of the Sierra de Cantabria. Yet most visitors make a beeline (in fine weather) for the outdoor terrace, sipping old vintages and devouring fresh pintxos overlooking the vines. A horse-drawn carriage ride through the vineyards, meanwhile, is popular with couples, while younger drinkers tend to plump for the Segway tour. Bespoke and private visits can also be arranged for that extra touch of luxury. JL
Tours from €18pp
egurenugarte.com
Finca Valpiedra
Rioja Alta
Owned by the Martínez Bujanda family, Finca Valpiedra, located on the bend of the River Ebro, is a rising star in the Spanish wine scene. Its state-of-the-art bodega produces distinctive Riojas in a modern style: fruit and oak are harmoniously integrated in cuvées that range from a barrel-aged white to an exquisite red Reserva. One of its most popular excursions involves a tour of the vineyards and surrounding countryside in a 4×4 jeep, followed by a riverside picnic lunch. JL
Tours from €18pp
familiamartinezbujanda.com/finca-valpiedra
La Rioja Alta
La Rioja
Founded in 1890 by the coming together of five winemaking families, there are few wineries more established than La Rioja Alta, which is situated next to the historic train station at Haro. Its long-aged and long-lived wines – particularly the Ardanza Reserva, 904 and 890 Gran Reserva – are an essential reference point to understanding what traditional Rioja is all about. It is also home to one of the most impressive barrel rooms in the wine world; they use 30,000 barrels for the ageing of wines, all of which also happen to be produced in-house. FK
Tours from €20pp
riojalta.com/wine-tourism
Marqués de Murrieta
Rioja Alta
Marqués de Murrieta is one of Rioja’s most historic and respected bodegas. The founder, Luciano de Murrieta, was the first person to export Spanish wine in barrels, while its magnificent Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva is Rioja’s seminal single-vineyard wine. You can sample this iconic super-cuvée, and many more, in the bodega’s spectacular tasting room or glamorous wine bar. There’s also a plethora of tours available, including a cellar visit and gourmet tasting menu, paired with either four or seven wines. JL
Tours from €45pp
marquesdemurrieta.com
Marqués de Riscal
Rioja Alavesa
There is no more recognisable winery in Rioja, and perhaps the whole of Spain, than the titanium, Frank Gehry-designed Marqués de Riscal. That the oldest existing winery in Rioja, established in 1858, has one of the most modern and exciting buildings tells you everything you need to know about the producer: tradition combined with evolution. A visit here could take many forms, including staying at the property itself. There is a Michelin-starred restaurant on-site, a spa and of course, fantastic wines available to taste through a variety of formats. FK
Tours from €25pp
marquesderiscal.com
Muga
La Rioja
Few wineries combine tradition with modern progression quite as seamlessly as Muga, located in the historic Barrio de La Estación (Station Quarter) of Haro. Some of the most highly rated wines in the entire region hail from the 25,000sqm winery, which focuses on full bodied, long-lived styles of wine aged in both French and American oak. The wines can be experienced at a tasting, as part of a longer visit or, quite uniquely, during of a hot air balloon ride across the vineyards of Rioja. FK
Tours from €25pp
bodegasmuga.com
Remirez de Ganuza
Rioja Alavesa
Founded in 1989 by an intrepid Navarran, Remirez de Ganuza is one of Rioja’s finest artisan bodegas. Producing a broad range of wines, it has nonetheless resisted the temptation to over-expand. Its hospitality offering also reflects that ethos – tours are limited to small groups and must be reserved in advance. There is also a boutique selling a back catalogue of venerable vintages, including the much-hyped 2004. JL
Tours from €40pp
remirezdeganuza.com
Ramón Bilbao
Rioja Alta
Ramón Bilbao was founded in 1924, with a new bodega built in 1972 in a classical style. Standard tours last for an hour and take visitors through the winery from barrel to bottle, finishing with a small tasting of three wines. But foodies can choose from a wine and chocolate pairing options, or the opportunity to imbibe velvety Reservas alongside a selection of cheeses from Sierra de Los Cameros. There’s also an enticing wine bar, restaurant (complete with terraza) and well-stocked boutique. JL
Tours from €25pp
bodegasramonbilbao.com
View this post on Instagram
Roda
Rioja Alta
Roda knows how to charm its visitors. A more straightforward trip might see guests enjoying a thought-provoking tour of the cellars and vineyards, before heading to a magnificent balcony overlooking bustling Haro. Alternatively, an on-site restaurant affords the opportunity to sip voluptuous reservas and enjoy jamón serrano and pan con tomate with Roda’s own delicious olive oil. But more elevated options include carriage tours through the vineyards, picnics within the grounds and even vertical tastings of rare vintages. JL
Tours from €29pp
roda.es
Valdemar
Rioja Alavesa
A pioneer of Rioja, Valdemar is one of the most important producers in Oyón in Alava. The first winery in the region to produce a barrel-fermented white wine, as well as a Garnacha Gran Reserva, the focus here is heavily on the vineyards, of which they own 275ha. Visits are small and personal despite the large scale of the winery, and can be tailored according to group size and experience level. It’s a fantastic way to go behind the scenes with a modern Rioja trailblazer. FK
Tours from €30pp
valdemarfamily
Valenciso
La Rioja
One of the greatest names flying just under the radar is undoubtedly Bodega Valenciso, an amalgamation of the names of the two owners, Luis Valentín and Carmen Enciso. Founded in 1998 in Ollauri, this is very much in the new wave of Rioja and the winery is a marvel to behold; no expense has been spared in its making. The focus is on old-vine Tempranillo from some of the coolest sites in Rioja, often planted at high altitude, with wines that express all the verve and depth increasingly sought from Rioja’s wines. Winery tours can be booked as part of a group at set timings or privately, and there´s also a wine bar on the premises. FK
Tours from €30pp
valenciso.com
Viña Real
Rioja Alavesa
Viña Real takes a ‘progressive traditionalist’ approach to winemaking, producing an eclectic mix of classical and modern styles, including some truly beguiling singe-estate wines. Situated at the heart of the Rioja Alavesa sub-region, the winery is flanked by the captivating Sierra de Cantabria: fertile Instagram territory. Guided tours start at €15 a head, but many prefer to add a leisurely lunch into the bargain. The bodega also offers picnics among the vines and vineyard tours complete with wine, cheese and chorizo. JL
Tours from €15pp
cvne.com
Ysios
Rioja Alta
High in Rioja Alta lies the vineyards and winery of Ysios, framed by the Cantabrian Mountains in the background. Designed by Santiago Calatrava, the winery building with its undulating roof was inspired by the mountains, and architecture fans should find as much to enjoy here as lovers of powerful reds. A variety of visits are available, from a tour rooted in architectural appreciation to a guided trip through the vineyards in a specially adapted ‘wine car’. Should you be visiting on a whim and without a reservation, Ysios is also home to a fantastic wine bar. FK
Tours from €50pp
bodegasysios.com
