Day in La Rioja: Exploring Wineries from Modern to Traditional
Villages and wines. Wines and villages. It’s all about visiting some and drinking the others. Perfect for first-timers to Rioja, this tour is the ultimate introduction to the region. Explore charming medieval villages, visit both modern and traditional wineries that showcase Rioja’s diverse winemaking styles, and enjoy a typical three-course Riojan meal paired with local wines. A perfect mix of history, flavor, and fun—you really can’t go wrong!
Day in La Rioja Tour
Medieval past
Rioja is not only wine, wine and wine, but also a territory extraordinarily rich in historical heritage. Before diving into its juices, we’ll see a medieval town, with gothic church (full of gold, virgins and cherubs, inherited from the Spanish Counter-Reformation) and some of the best panoramas of the Rioja wineland.
A Fresh Start Modern Boutique Winery with a Twist
In Rioja, winemaking is an art, and we’re kicking off the day with something truly special. This funky boutique winery, run by two friends with a fresh approach, is all about shaking up tradition. You’ll wander through their unique cellars, learn their creative methods, and savor a tasting of their vibrant, boundary-pushing wines.
P.S. Did you know Rioja is one of the northernmost regions in Spain where liquid gold—extra virgin olive oil—is made? We’ll also sample some of their own delicious AOVE (aceite de oliva virgen extra), a perfect pairing for this unforgettable start.
250 Years of Family Winemaking
Wine is all about stories, and the next stop tells a tale of dedication and tradition. This family-run winery in Rioja Alavesa has been perfecting their craft for over 250 years. You’ll taste three of their best wines in a laid-back, private setting, with local snacks and their incredible homemade olive oil to complete the experience. This visit is a heartfelt tribute to generations of passion for winemaking.
Home of Classic Rioja Wines
The Barrio de la Estación in Haro is where history and wine collide. Nestled by the old railroad tracks, these wineries made it easy to ship barrels of wine across the world. We’ll visit a century-old gem that balances tradition and modernity. From timeless classics to bold, trend-setting wines, you’ll get to taste it all.
Sacred food
In La Rioja, lunchtime (and gastronomy, of course) is a sacred thing. It’s not just about eating—it’s about celebrating the rich flavors of the region. For this reason, we’ll head to a restaurant run by two sisters that specializes in traditional Riojan cuisine. Among other dishes, we’ll enjoy white asparagus from Navarra, delicious cured meat and smoky lamb chops grilled over sarmiento (the star of the menu!). For the more adventurous, there’s the chance to try the local blood sausage. And, check this out, more excelent local wine! To finish, there’s Goxua, a creamy dessert loved by locals.
- Price: two people 920€
- Extra adult +210€
- Child (10-17 years old) +130€
- Children under 10 years old +25€
- For groups bigger than 8 people contact us
Characteristics
- Private tour
- Time: 08:00
- Duration: 9 hours
- Places: Three wineries in Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Alta, Medieval village
Included
- Profesional guide
- Transport
- Three wineries and 10+ premium wine tastes (guided visit with tasting in one the wineries, and two more tasting in two other wineries)
- Olive oil tasting
- Snacks
- Traditional lunch
- Water
Not included
- Meals, drinks and tickets not listed above
Tour reviews
Fantastic full day wine and good tasting experience in Rioja.
We were picked up directly from our hotel with a comfortable air conditioned car. Our tour guide Ania was superb; knowledgeable and professional. The tour was created and tailored for us based on our interests.
The drive to Haro, Rioja took only 1h 20min and we had several opportunities to view small mediaeval villages, stunning scenery and local life.
During the tour we visited 3 outstanding smaller wineries in Haro and Laguardia regions, made several stops to explore and view old churches, architectural marvels such as Frank Gehry’s Marquis de Riscal etc. The delicious lunch took place in a local tavern Ajoi. Food was very tasty.
I can’t recommend both the private Rioja tour and Ikusnahi tours more! They were exceptional from the beginning to the end! This is a must!TomLuke123 - Agosto 2021
Fantastic experience, our guide Olatz was approachable, entertaining, and knowledgeable of the area. We tasted an excellent variety of Basque Rioja wines, had an amazing lunch, and learned a lot about the people and culture of the area. Highly recommend.
Walter - Marzo 2026
Amazing trip around the Rioja region and our lovely guide Olatz made our day! Beutiful views and great food, stories about local history and wine 😍…
Saga - Marzo 2026
Our day with Martin on the Rioja Tour was truly exceptional. From start to finish, he brought an energy and depth of knowledge that elevated the entire experience. His understanding of not only the Rioja wine region, but also the broader Basque history and culture, added so much richness and context to every stop along the way. We visited three wineries, each unique and memorable. One of our favorites was Ostatu Winery, where we were welcomed with genuine warmth by Lucia. The wines were beautiful, and her hospitality made the visit feel personal and special. Another highlight was meeting Mikel at the winery of Gómez Cruzado. Mikel's passion for the Rioja region and his craft was contagious. The wines were outstanding — both reds and whites — and we especially loved the Gómez Cruzado Haro Rioja Reserva 2019. We would highly recommend both wineries to anyone visiting the region. Martin also guided us through the charming medieval town of Laguardia, Spain, sharing stories and insights that brought the village to life. Lunch at Alai in Labastida was another standout — an incredible meal that perfectly complemented the day’s wine experiences. Throughout the tour, Martin was engaging, entertaining, and genuinely passionate about the Basque region having grown up in San Sebastian. His enthusiasm made the day unforgettable, and we couldn’t have asked for a better guide. We highly recommend this tour — and especially Martin — for anyone wanting an authentic, insightful, and delicious Rioja winery experience.
Helen - Septiembre 2025
This was an unforgettable experience, the best part of our time in Donostia / San Sebastián. Our guide Olatz was fun, knowledgeable, and even reached out after our tour had ended to keep sharing great recommendations. The vineyards and wineries were all wonderful, with engaging hosts and excellent wines that were made even better by our journey through the gorgeous Basque countryside to reach them. Our whole group enjoyed learning about the history and culture of the region, what makes Rioja's wines distinct, and even some local Ska music. I highly recommend it!
Caleb - Febrero 2026
We spent a beautiful day with Luis. He was deeply knowledgeable and fun to spend the day with; it felt like traveling with a friend who happened to be expert. It was rainy on-and-off as the season dictates, but Luis's expert driving got us around safely and quickly. The wineries visited were fantastic and varied curations showcasing tradition, modernity, and everything in between. Not to mention fantastic wines! Each tasting leader from the wineries themselves were great too. The time spent in Laguardia was so cool. Amazing history in that town and a great view of the region. Lunch was delicious and a very special experience. Thank you Luis for showing us such an amazing time! We would love to visit with you again and bring our friends & family too!
Ben - Marzo 2026
It was a great tour! Luis was very informative and fun. Nice snacks with the tastings and very different wineries. Great lunch also! And note for future clients: the van was very comfortable and spacious!
Stephanie - Abril 2026
We did the Rioja wine tour with Martin as our guide — and it was the best day! Martin was knowledgeable and friendly. The wineries were all fantastic, and lunch was delicious and very substantial. Highly recommend for anyone visiting San Sebastián looking to learn more about the region and try some great wines!
Hillary - Mayo 2026
We were a family of 6 and all had a great day. Ernes was brilliant, very knowledgeable and friendly. Wine was great, food was excellent, scenery was perfect. Highly recommended.
Andrew H - Septiembre 2019
Great organization with attention to detail and finding the right mix of activities to suit my needs. I am a sommelier from Italy and wanted to explore off the path wineries and learn about Rioja, while also accommodating a view of the region and food experiences. The team managed to create the perfect mix, they were friendly and super knowledgeable, overall a memorable experience 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Andreea - Mayo 2026
Today we had a terrific, private wine tour of the Rioja wine region with Mattin. We do a lot of wine travel and this was our first time to the Rioja region. For this reason, we wanted to experience the region with a knowledgeable, local guide who could go beyond the basics and help us make the connection between the history of winemaking in this region, the terroir involved, and the breadth and depth of the region’s wine styles and varieties. Martin did this and more! We had an amazing day in Rioja and I highly recommend Martin and his company!
John - Marzo 2026
This was the best day tour that we have ever done. An amazing experience from start to finish. Fantastic Rioja wines to savour and great food to share! The views and the wineries were fantastic. Each one a unique experience. And our host Martin looked after us like royalty all day from start to finish! Highly recommend this tour! Brenton and Julie.
Brenton - Febrero 2026
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