Rioja
Wine Tours
Steeped in tradition and culture, the Rioja wine region provides the perfect pace to savor the wines, enjoy the scenery, and immerse yourself in the rich history of this renowned wine-producing region.
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Where Spanish hospitality meets world-renowned wine
Located in northern Spain, La Rioja is one of the most prestigious of all the Spanish wine regions. It is divided into three sub-regions: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Baja with the most famous bodegas located in Alta and Alavesa.
Beyond the exquisite wine-tasting experiences, Rioja offers a plethora of activities and sights that make it an ideal destination for luxury travelers seeking a blend of relaxation, culture, and foodie experiences. Luxury accommodations abound, ranging from charming boutique hotels nestled in medieval towns to stunning winery estates that offer exclusive stays.
For culture and history enthusiasts, Laguardia and Haro's ancient towns offer well-preserved medieval architecture and cobblestone streets to explore. Art lovers will appreciate the Frank Gehry-designed Hotel Marqués de Riscal, blending contemporary style with the traditional landscape. Gastronomy is a highlight in Rioja, with Michelin-starred restaurants showcasing innovative dishes using local ingredients. The region's bars and taverns serve traditional Spanish cuisine like tapas and pintxos.
Pair all of this with landscapes that are breathtaking, with rolling hills covered in vineyards giving way to the rugged Sierra de Cantabria mountains and you have an ideal holiday destination.
Discover other wine regions in Spain
Spanish Grape Varieties:
- Rioja Rioja
- Ribera Del Duero Ribera Del Duero
- Basque Country Basque Country
- Navarra Navarra
- Priorat Priorat
- Madrid Madrid
Go to: Rioja →
Go to: Ribera Del Duero →
Go to: Basque Country →
Go to: Barcelona →
Go to: Priorat →
Go to: Madrid →
Rioja
Rioja appeals, not just for producing some of the finest wines in Spain, but also for the contrast between traditional and modern wineries that can be found here. Visit a historic bodega built on a farm, part of a medieval monastery that still produces its wine using the most traditional methods, then continue on to another that employs state-of-the-art wine technology in a building that is a work of modern art in itself.
Rioja wines are primarily made from Tempranillo grapes, which are the dominant variety in the region. These wines are known for their rich flavors, often showing notes of red fruit, vanilla, and spice. In addition to Tempranillo, Rioja wines may also include Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo grapes in varying proportions. The diverse terroir of Rioja, along with its traditional winemaking techniques, contribute to the production of high-quality and complex wines that are celebrated worldwide.
Private day tours with local guides ensure wine lovers have access to top-notch wineries and exposure to true hidden gems. Imagine yourself, relaxing at a winery in Rioja, a glass of rich Tempranillo in hand, while overlooking the stunning landscape of vineyards and rolling hills. This is the epitome of a perfect day for any wine enthusiast.
Highlights
Exclusive Culinary Experiences: Beyond wine, Rioja offers luxury travelers the chance to explore its rich culinary heritage through exclusive tours focused on olive oil production, artisanal cheese-making, and traditional Spanish charcuterie.
Luxury Accommodation in Historic Settings: The region is home to several luxury hotels set in historic buildings, such as the Marqués de Riscal Hotel designed by Frank Gehry, and the Parador de Santo Domingo de la Calzada, a former pilgrim’s hospital turned five-star hotel. These accommodations offer a blend of modern comfort and historical charm, often with breathtaking views of the surrounding vineyards.
Rioja Highlights
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Explore by Foot
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Embark on part of the iconic pilgrimage route known as Camino de Santiago, making sure to take a break at the famous fountain at Monasterio de Santa Maria de Irache or the wine fountain.
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Rioja Wines
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The deep and cavernous cellars of Rioja allow for producers, especially in Haro, to allow their wines to mature providing incredible flavor. Muga and Lopez de Heredia showcase the traditional ways, while new wineries such as Valenciso and Atardi provide the most modern techniques.
Explore San Sebastian
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From the pinxtos tours to 3* Michelin, the food of San Sebastian is among the best in the world. Sample some of the finest Basque cuisine, from simple tapas to exquisite dishes. Indulge yourself in an unforgettable gastronomic experience that will tantalize your taste buds.
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Spain's Stunning Architecture
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The Marqués de Riscal Hotel and Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao boast awe-inspiring architecture. The Hotel Marqués de Riscal is the jewel in the crown, featuring titanium and steel roofing panels and an array of asymmetrical wall and floor tiles that create a stunning visual.
Sample Itineraries
Discover Wine Pairing Trips
You're in control
At Into The Vineyard, we pride ourselves on our ability to offer you complete freedom to build your perfect trip. Start with one of our many sample itineraries and customize as you desire, or start with a blank page, and with the help of our expert Trip Planners, we can create your dream wine-inspired travel experience.
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Discover other regions in Spain
Testimonials
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We just had an amazing trip to France/Spain to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary. I want to thank Into the Vineyard as they picked wonderful spots for us to stay along with some amazing adventures.
We did Paris, Bordeaux, and San Sebastian. As someone who hasn't been to Europe since I was a early teenager, it was really hard to narrow down where to go. Colin heard our desires and was able to point us in the right direction so that we could enjoy the experience without being constantly on the move. The part I really apprecieated was that we wanted wine activities, primarily in Bordeaux, but had enough experience to plan non-wine activities for us in the other cities, such as a Tapas tour and a cheese/barkery/chocolate tour.
Brad Janitz
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Our Spanish wine region trip was absolutely amazing and a wonderful experience and value. Hotels were perfect, especially Marques de Riscal in La Rioja, and the Monastery in Ribera! Drivers were on time and courteous, guides were all very friendly, professional, and informative. We especially enjoyed some of the pre-planned tapas tours and side attractions/locations in addition to the wineries.
Of special note, Jorge Plaza more than exceeded our expectations and was a perfect host and guide. We learned so much from him, not just historically and culturally but also my knowledge of Spanish wine and viniculture/vinification was expanded geometrically, and that was the purpose of our trip! We are very pleased with your itinerary and planning, and I can only speak positively about Into the Vineyard. Awesome tour, great job.
Ken Staggs
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Our trip to Portugal and Barcelona was excellent. The drivers were on time, courteous, the guides were knowledgeable and helpful. This is our second trip using Into the Vineyard, we will use them again. Colin is our contact person at Into the Vineyard and he is excellent.
Dennis Popplewell
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Spectacular 10 day trip to Spain in April. Colin worked with us to customize the trip and can't think of a thing we'd change, We visited 8 wineries in Rioja and Ribera del Duero, learned so much and appreciated the unique experience at each property. Our guide, Jorge, was exceptional and his knowledge of wine and the local area made the visits even more engaging. Fantastic two days in San Sebastien at the start of the trip and three in Madrid at the end (with a day of rest at the beautiful Monasterio Valbuena hotel and spa) rounded out a fantastic trip. We look forward to booking another trip with Into the Vineyard soon!
Cathy Butz
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Into The Vineyard nailed it! The team listened to our ideas and put together a fantastic Spain vacation from San Sebastián through Rioja and Ribera del Duero, with biking and wine tasting along the way. Our local tour guides knew their stuff and we learned so much, saw hidden gems, and enjoyed excellent wines, food and accommodations. The bikes were great (yes we used ebikes and it was so fun!). It was so easy once we got there, we didn’t have to worry about a thing, and still had the flexibility to explore on our own too. Perfectly balanced. Already dreaming about the next one!
Carolyn Reuss