Rioja Private Wine Tour

Arrive at Bilbao airport, a beautiful, white geometric structure designed by famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, where your elegant driver-guide will collect you in a luxury Mercedes. You have an exciting day ahead! First, stop at the shimmering and undulating titanium waves of Frank Gehry’s masterpiece museum- the Guggenheim Bilbao. You will enjoy a free morning to see this exceptional contemporary museum. See prime examples of Pop Art, Minimalism, Conceptual Art, and Arte Povera.

A phenomenal lunch will await you at the mythical gourmet Azurmendi restaurant, just a 20-minute transfer east of Bilbao. Not only can this three Michelin-starred restaurant boast the best example of signature cuisine in Biscay, but the building is another masterpiece, built into a hillside surrounded by vineyards and eco-friendly – prioritizing sustainability by including low-kilometer produce from nearby farmer’s markets on the menu. You will experience a wide variety of their exquisite dishes on your personalized tasting menu, including Marine Turnip with Herbs emulsion; Oyster Tartar with Seaweed traces; Roasted Lobster; Iberian stew; Pigeon Duxelles, and Legume Flowers. The restaurant’s sommelier will assist in pairing each dish with a glass of excellent local wine. Then finish with divine Petit Fours for dessert, including Passion and Coconut or Black olive, Sheep milk, and Cocoa.

After lunch, drive south to the La Rioja wine region, stopping in the beautiful medieval village of Sajazarra. You will undoubtedly appreciate a leisurely stroll through the scenic medieval village, and what better than to take in this stunning, historic village with ogival arches in its walls. Explore the impressive 14th-century castle or the Church of La Asunción from the 12th and 13th centuries with its image of the Virgen de la Antigua inside.

It is a 15-minute transfer to Cuzcurrita, where you will check into your charming inn, Teatrisso. A 17th-century house that has been beautifully restored into a gorgeous boutique hotel. Each room was individually decorated, taking inspiration from cinema, theatre, literature, and music;  in the 20s and 30s, the house was used as a cinema and theatre. You will have a free evening to explore your original residence and beautiful surroundings. Bienvenidos!

After you have finished breakfast this morning, your chauffeur will collect you for a short drive to your first vineyard visit of the day – La Rioja Alta. Probably one of the most heard of Riojan wineries, situated in Haro’s historic Barrio de la Estacion (station quarter). Family-run, the current chairman is the fifth generation to run the business. They proudly offer a great tasting experience, including their famed Viña Ardanza and Viña Arana, Gran Reserva 904, and Gran Reserva 890, enabling you to experience firsthand the magic of this wonderful Bodega.

Next up is an unforgettable vineyard experience at super premium Roda. A charming table will be set up for you in the vines next to their historic “guardaviñas,” and you can relax and soak up the wonderful views as you graze on local charcuterie and sip your aperitivo which might include Roda’s Sela wine or perhaps Corimbo, from their sister estate in Ribera del Duero. Carry on for an interesting stroll through their state-of-the-art winery and adjacent 19th-century wine cave before sitting down to a professional tasting of their top wines, including Roda Reserva and Cirsion- very exclusive!

You will be pleased to know that lunch is next, and you are in for a treat; a gourmet lunch with wines will be served for you at the breathtakingly beautiful Nublo. This is a standout restaurant located in a 16th-century aristocratic palace in the medieval part of town, with a culinary team composed of chefs Miguel Caño, Llorenç Sagarra, Caio Barcellos, and Dani Lasa, who formerly worked at the two-Michelin-star Mugaritz. The cuisine provides a gastronomic tour of the La Rioja region, bending cutting-edge culinary techniques with traditional influences reflected in the wood-fired oven. The main dining area is connected directly to an open kitchen.

Dishes on your tasting menu include Aged Beef Tartar with Red Tuna (Bluefin); Pork Strips and Sea Urchin; Crayfish cooked on Aged Vine Branches; White Asparagus and Almond; Artichokes with Cockles; Sea Bass with Spinach in Pil-Pil Sauce; and Sirloin Marinated in Blue Cheese. All are expertly paired with top local wines by the restaurant’s sommelier.

After lunch, you will visit the wine bar at Muga, another spectacular winery. Here you can enjoy a delicious “digestivo” and take a few photos before moving on to the Dinastia Vivanco Wine Museum in Briones, just a 15-minute drive away. This is a unique experience and well worth a couple of hours of your time, as here they have captivated and beautifully presented the history of wine and man over 8,000 years. If you can manage a bit more walking, take a stroll around the idyllic medieval hamlet of Briones itself.

The evening is yours to relax and enjoy in your charming inn, Teatrisso, or explore lovely Cuzcurrita.

This morning, at about 10:30 a.m., once you have enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, your driver will collect you and take you a few miles east to the stunning Bodegas Hermanos Pecina in the heart of the La Rioja Alta wine region. Relatively new on the scene, the winery was built only in the 90s. However, the proud owners found the perfect spot to produce quintessential, velvety Rioja. After a tour with some breathtaking views, you will taste some of their finest creations, for example, white Señorio de P. Peciña and red Señorio de P. Peciña, including the Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva, and Vendiminia Seleccionada.

Next, you will follow on to Bodega Cupani in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, one of La Rioja’s most picturesque villages – dominated by a castle. This historic winery, with its vaulted stonework and ancient cellars dating back to the 16th century, produces artisan wines that are superb, smooth, modern-style, fruity, and elegant. After visiting the winery and vineyards, the owner will lead you to a private area where you will naturally dine together— a home-cooked lunch paired with their estate wines, an intimate and noncommercial experience filled with the aromas of the owner’s wife preparing lunch on the grill. The menu will likely include Patatas a la Riojana- Rioja style Potatoes, Chuletillas al Sarmiento con Ensalada Verde – baby Lamb Chops cooked over Grapevines followed by Flan de café, and washed down with Rielo, Cupani, Cupani Garnach, and Sir Cupani.

In the mid-afternoon, following your delicious, unhurried lunch, your chauffeur will take you to the enchanting hilltop village of Laguardia. Once a best-kept secret, Laguardia has finally begun to receive foreign visitors as the word has spread about how cute this little hamlet is! You have the absolute best host to show you around- Javi, a charismatic local guide with an encyclopedic knowledge of the town.

On a private walking tour, he’ll unveil the hidden gems and intriguing stories that pepper Laguardia’s history, including tantalizing local scandals that bring the past vividly to life. Your exploration will go beyond the superficial, revealing artifacts and landmarks hidden in plain sight, all while deepening your understanding of this captivating village. Finally, you will end the tour by tasting some lesser-known local wines in Javi’s wine cave beneath his home. This cave dates back to the Middle Ages and will broaden your understanding of life in the town and its historical intersection with wine.

At the end of a supremely enjoyable visit, head to your nearby hotel, Palacio de Samaniego. Owned by Baroness Rothschild of Bordeaux fame, you will feel like you are staying at a wealthy friend’s house, very cozy and with superb luxury touches from Murano Glass to Grazalema wool blankets and priceless paintings adorning the stone walls.

The remainder of the evening is at your leisure, and you’ll be pleased to discover that your hotel boasts an outstanding restaurant and a wine bar, offering a delectable selection of tapas for your enjoyment.

Eat a hearty breakfast, then lace up your comfy, sensible footwear as you go hiking in the vines this morning! Your charming local guide, Marina, will meet you at your hotel and transport you to the starting point for your trek through the vines. This circular trail that starts and finishes in San Vicente de la Sonsierra enables you to walk amid the vineyards. On this wine trek, Marina will explain the local terrior and point out interesting artifacts like wine presses dug out of the limestone rock, remains of a burial ground dating back to the Middle Ages, and hermitages such as Santa María de la Piscina. Marina will drop you back to your hotel, and you will have time to freshen up before your next appointment.

Your next appointment is at Casa Primicia, the oldest building in Laguardia. After many years of restoration on the historic house and cellars, Casa Primicia proudly stands with all its medieval glory. Here, you will be greeted by the owners and will be blown away by the down-to-earth welcome you receive; your hosts will take you on a short tour of the winery and then accompany you for a fantastic wine barbecue lunch paired with their finest productions, including Blanco Fermentado en Barrica, Rosado Casa Primicia, Crianza Carravalseca (ecológico), Julián Madrid Reserva de Familia.

After such an energetic day, you will appreciate a quieter afternoon to visit charming local villages, such as picturesque Abalos and a Dolmen constructed during the Neolithic period or the La Hoya Settlement Museum that offers insights into the nearby bronze age archaeological site.

Tonight, you will dine in the heart of wine country at Venta Moncalvillo, a Michelin-starred culinary haven operated by the dynamic duo of brothers Ignacio and Carlos. Ignacio, a self-taught chef, draws inspiration from his mother’s traditional cooking and the bounty of local produce sourced directly from the restaurant’s garden. With a cooking style that marries simplicity with ingenuity, Ignacio places a premium on preserving the original flavors of ingredients while introducing inventive textures. His culinary prowess has earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Ambassador of La Rioja Cuisine title.

As the front-of-house operations maestro, Carlos welcomes diners and ensures a seamless dining experience. As the house sommelier, Carlos oversees a meticulously curated wine cellar with an impressive collection of over 600 international wines. With his expertise, Carlos masterfully pairs each dish with the ideal wine, elevating the culinary journey to a sublime experience.

This will be a dining experience you will be talking about for years to come.

What a treat you have in store today for the finale of your La Rioja tour! Kick off your last day in Rioja just a few steps from your luxury manor at Remirez de Ganuza. This is one of the oldest and rightfully prestigious bodegas in the La Rioja Wine Region, whose Trasnocho wine is a collector’s favorite. Respected and revered by his neighbors, the wines of Fernando Remírez De Ganuza have become something of a modern legend in Rioja, favored by such discerning critics as Julio Iglesias and the Spanish Royal family. Plunging himself into the vanguard of modern winemaking, Fernando has crafted unrivaled power and finesse wines where the fruit shines through. Enjoy their sublime wines made in a truly beautiful setting.

Your last wine experience of this trip is at Artadi. Located in a gorgeous spot right outside Laguardia, this winery prides itself on being forward-thinking “outsiders,” as no other fine wine estate has ever left the Rioja appellation. They did, though, giving themselves the freedom to innovate and create absolutely amazing wines without any rules imposed on them by the regulatory board. The result? Collector wines on a par with the best Burgundy and Piedmont wines. You explore their vineyard in the fun London “Black cab” and conclude the tour with a tasting in their bright tasting room with stellar views.

Lunch follows and is a fun, light-hearted affair- a tapas crawl on the famous Calle del Laurel, just a 15-minute drive away in central Logroño. The street is packed with little tapas bars. In the admirable communal spirit (avoiding any potential competition), each bar specializes in two or three dishes, making a “tapas crawl” a necessity to enjoy a wide variety. Delicacies that you might find include Chistorra (Chorizo with sweet Paprika and Garlic), Setas (wild Mushrooms cooked in Garlicky Butter), Navajas (Razor Clams) or Almejas (juicy Clams), and Txangurrito – a Fishcake of Crab and Shellfish with a creamy Béchamel.

After lunch, head to your luxurious design hotel at the Marques de Riscal winery. Designed by Frank Gehry, who also designed the iconic Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the Marques de Riscal Hotel is a masterpiece with facades adorned with titanium waves. Here, design, art, gastronomy, and wine converge for an unforgettable experience.

Your chauffeur will leave plenty of time to check in and explore this charming hotel and spa. The SPA Vinothérapie® Caudalie is a luxurious experience, blending natural vine and grape-based treatments with unique aromas and expert care.

Tonight, your farewell gastronomic dinner is at the hotel eatery. Executive Chef Francis Paniego leads the Michelin star awarded restaurant. Here, you will see how inspiration is taken from traditional Riojan-style tapas and dishes, presented in a mouthwatering, innovative, ultra-design way that never ceases to amaze. Not forgetting the superb Marques de Riscal wines served to complete the experience. A real highlight of this tour!

After enjoying a gourmet breakfast, your driver will arrive at a pre-arranged time to chauffeur you to the airport and ensure a seamless check-in experience. We sincerely hope you found your La Rioja food and wine tour to be the epitome of luxury and indulgence. And we hope to see you again soon. Safe travels!