La Rioja Wine Road
One day wine & culinary excursion – from San Sebastian or Bilbao
“Forget the pomp and posturing of many wine tasting tours. A Taste of Spain, one of the few culinary tour companies that take its tasters through Spain, has developed a laid-back, rural, authentic excursion to La Rioja.” The Wine Enthusiast magazine – USA
- See one of the most important private collections of grapes in the world
- Taste legendary Rioja wines at a family-run winery – one of the oldest in La Rioja
- Enjoy the hearty and flavorsome regional cuisine of La Rioja
- A private tour available for small groups, starting from 2 persons
South of the Basque Country lies La Rioja, a region with distinctive personality, associated with the Camino de Santiago (Way of Saint James) and its picturesque towns… but more so with wine.
With a long tradition, dating back to the 17th Century, Rioja was the first Spanish wine region to obtain Designation of Origin status. Rioja wines have evolved steadily, consolidating a deserved recognition for La Rioja as one of the most prestigious wine-producing regions in the world.
The elegant, original and full of character Rioja wine is coupled with excellent Riojan cuisine, delightfully combining savory local meats with premium quality regional vegetables.
Savor the wine, the food and the sights of the soul of La Rioja!
Itinerary
Starting from San Sebastian, our chauffeur will take you to La Rioja wine region (1 ½ hours). On arrival to La Rioja, meet our local English-speaking expert guide for a visit to the Museum of Wine Culture, hosted by the Dinastía Vivanco Foundation.
This private museum takes you on a revealing voyage through the history and culture of wine, and exhibits the art and archaeology collection acquired by the family over the years. In addition, its garden houses over 200 varieties of grapes, forming one of the most important private collections in the world.
Continue along the valley of the Ebro River, stopping at picturesque local villages, with their typical stone wine-presses where wine was already made before the 15th Century, or at the walled-in medieval village of Laguardia, with its underground labyrinth of some 300 family-owned wine cellars!
Take a private visit to one of the oldest Rioja wineries, built over ancient cellars from the 16th and 17th Centuries. A guided stroll around the family-run winery will be followed by a tutored tasting of some of the legendary Rioja wines, right where they come from.
After the visit, get comfortable at the cozy dining room of the winery and enjoy a delicious lunch, featuring mouth-watering Riojan classics such as Riojan-style potato stew with chorizo (Patatas a la Riojana) or lamb chops grilled with vine wood (Chuletillas al Sarmiento), matched with only the finest of wines.
Take in the beautiful landscapes of La Rioja on your drive back to San Sebastian.
- Private chauffeured transportation throughout the itinerary
- Local English-speaking guide, specialized in wine, joining you through La Rioja
- Guided visit & entries to the Museum of Wine Culture
- Private visit to a family-run Rioja winery, including wine tasting & traditional Riojan lunch
- Stroll through local villages, as per the itinerary
- All local taxes
- 255 EUR per person for group of 6 or more
- 330 EUR per person for group of 4 or 5
- 510 EUR per person for group of 2 or 3
Available upon request all year round.
This excursion can also be organized from Bilbao, please consult conditions.
Alternative or additional winery visits (your choice of style: traditional or cutting edge) can be arranged, as well as extensions to visit the monastery of Yuso (birthplace of the Spanish language) & the Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada (along the Way of Saint James).
We’re happy to adapt, combine, even custom-design, our programs to meet your preferences, just let us know…
Interested? Contact us or check out other ideas in the Basque Country:
·Basque Country for Foodies · San Sebastian Gourmet · Cooking Class · Tapas Tour