Bodegas Jilaba
Araba, La Rioja, Spain
Experience
This very friendly and welcoming vineyard has beautiful views to go with its informative guided tour and tastings.
Good for age: 18+
Travel bucket list idea:
La Rioja, Spain
Rioja’s people have been making wine for over 2,000 years, and in recent decades it has become one of the most prestigious wine regions in the world. Rolling hills and lovely landscapes make an ideal setting for winery-hopping, and estates welcome visitors for tours and tastings.
Recently, estate owners have started to commission some of the world’s greatest architects to build new bodegas (wineries), and the region has become renowned for its striking avant-garde architecture. Look out for the spectacular Bodegas Ysios in Laguardia by Santiago Calatrava, Tondonia in Haro, with a pavilion by Zaha Hadid, and Frank Gehry’s undulating Hotel Marques de Riscal in Elciego.
Stop by the Vivanco family’s wine museum for an insight into the history of winemaking in the region.
Araba, La Rioja, Spain
Experience
This very friendly and welcoming vineyard has beautiful views to go with its informative guided tour and tastings.
Good for age: 18+
Araba, La Rioja, Spain
Experience
In a gorgeous mountain setting, taste superb wines in this bodega with a mountain-inspired design, by Spanish-Swiss architect Santiago Calatrava.
Good for age: 18+
Haro, La Rioja, Spain
Experience
One of the biggest wineries in Spain, CVNE offers a range of tours including lunches, cellar tours and children’s workshops.
Good for age: 18+
Fuenmayor, La Rioja, Spain
Experience
Near the banks of the Ebro River, this beautiful, historic vineyard offers 4×4 tours, cellar tours and tastings.
Good for age: 18+
Haro, La Rioja, Spain
Experience
Excellent guided tours and tastings can be booked seven days a week in this historic boutique winery in Haro.
Good for age: 18+
Laguardia, La Rioja, Spain
Experience
Now in the hands of the fifth generation, this bodega has an extremely cosy wine bar and delicious lunches.
Good for age: 18+
Haro, La Rioja, Spain
Experience
Visits are limited at this historic vineyard near Haro, but Zaha Hadid fans will love seeing the architect’s decanter-shaped Pavilion.
Good for age: 18+
Briones, La Rioja, Spain
Experience
A well-equipped, new museum created by the winemaking Vivanco family, that explains the history of winemaking in the Rioja region. For an extra few Euros, you can get a guided tour with wine tasting. There’s also a superb restaurant devoted to Riojan cuisine. Closed Monday & Tuesday.
Adult price: £13
Good for age: 18+
There are many options for organised Rioja tours leaving from Bilbao or San Sebastián – or you can tour the wine regions yourself by car. This is simple and fun, but it does require planning. Most estates are happy to give you a tour, but you’ll need to call or email in advance. The regional tourist office has details of vineyards that offer tours and tastings.
Surprisingly, many vineyards welcome visitors during the grape harvest in September – October, when they’re busiest; this is the best period to come and learn about wine in Rioja – though the weather isn’t always at its finest. Avoid winter, when the vines are bare and the wines are stored away in vats.
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