Rioja Uncorked: Tastings in 4 Wineries with Cold Food Pairing

What is Rioja? A land where vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see, where winemaking is an art form, and where wineries range from centuries-old stone estates to futuristic architectural masterpieces. What are we going there for? To sip, swirl, and savor our way through four unique wineries, meeting the people behind the barrels and discovering the many faces of Spain’s most famous wine region.

Four wineries, four personalities

No two wineries in Rioja are the same. That’s why we’re not just visiting four; we’re experiencing four radically different approaches to winemaking. The first stop is a small, family-run winery where tradition is passed down like a well-kept secret. Rustic vineyards, hand-harvested grapes, and a taste of how things were done long before stainless steel tanks took over the world.

From there, we move to a boutique winery, where creativity runs wild and winemakers aren’t afraid to experiment. Think bold, young wines with personality, unexpected blends, and a modern take on a classic region.

Next, we step into history at one of Rioja’s legendary wineries, the kind that helped shape the region’s reputation. Here, winemaking follows time-honored methods, and the barrels have been aging wines long enough to tell their own stories. A deep, elegant Reserva, a bold Gran Reserva—this is where Rioja’s classic character truly shines.

Finally, we visit a winery that blends tradition with innovation, combining generations of expertise with cutting-edge techniques. Old vines meet modern fermentation methods, and the result is a Rioja that respects the past while looking toward the future.

No formal lunch, just bites of Rioja as we go

Forget the sit-down, multi-course affair. Today, we eat like the winemakers do, tasting as we go, with local specialties paired perfectly at each winery. Picture a board of cured meats, aged cheeses, and freshly baked bread as you sip a young Crianza. A bite of Riojan chorizo next to a deep, velvety Reserva. Perhaps a splash of olive oil on pan con tomate, straight from the northernmost olive groves in Spain.

Beyond the glass: medieval streets and vineyard views

Rioja isn’t just about what’s in the bottle—it’s about the places that produce it. Along the way, we stop to photograph some of the most breathtaking winery designs in the region, from Frank Gehry’s titanium masterpiece at Marqués de Riscal to the sculptural waves of Bodegas Ysios by Santiago Calatrava. Glass, stone, and metal rising from a sea of vineyards, blending tradition with futuristic vision.

We’ll also take time to wander through the winding streets of a medieval village, where centuries-old stone houses and hidden alleyways tell the story of Rioja’s past. The town’s hilltop setting offers panoramic views over endless vineyards, making it the perfect spot to pause, take in the scenery, and feel the rhythm of this timeless landscape.