Top Things to do in La Rioja
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What to do and see in La Rioja, Spain: The Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day
Don't let its size fool you; Spain's smallest province makes a big name for itself with enticing wines and spectacular scenery. From its healing thermal baths to its rugged mountain trails, La Rioja provides the perfect getaway to any traveler. Action junkies can find adventures skiing, biking or white-water rafting, while the more sedate will find a peaceful respite sipping wine in the region's lush vineyards, or walking the famous pilgrims' trail to Santiago.
Restaurants in La Rioja
1. Bodega La Rioja Alta S.A.
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 562 reviews
In 1890, La Rioja Alta SA was founded by five families sharing a common passion for wine. It was the start of an ongoing quest for excellence that their descendants still pursue. Since then we have managed to extract the best from the marriage of our tradition in wine ageing, to state-of-the-art technology in grape fermentation. Our wines (Viña Ardanza, Gran Reserva 904, etc.) have become an international reference for the finest Rioja wines.
Reviewed By 509dalel - Glendale, United States
Toured this fantastic winery guided by Bella was very informative and had a wonderful wine tasting at the end of the tour. Very educational and I would recommend this to everyone. They make their own barrels from American oak.
2. Bodega Conde de los Andes
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 175 reviews
We are in the heart of Rioja Alta, a short distance away from Haro and Briones. Wine is deeply rooted in the history of our small village, as evidenced by its noble houses built in the 17th and 18th centuries. Churrumendi Hill, Ollauri's highest point, offers stunning views of the River Ebro valley, between the Sierra de la Demanda peaks and the limestone walls of Sierra Cantabria and Toloño mountain ranges. Today, with the Murúa family at the helm, Bodegas Ollauri-Conde de los Andes brings back an age-old tradition. It was in 1894 when Federico Paternina built the modern cellar where his ancestors had been making and storing wine since the 15th century. After successive changes in ownership that have marked recent decades, Julián and Javier Murúa have begun a new era.
Reviewed By michaelf843 - Medway, United States
We had an incredible time with our winery tour we booked ourselves. Cristina explained all facets of the wine making, the history of the winery and a tour of the amazing wine caves, including ones that have been recently restored. We booked the tour ourselves and had a nice small group of 8 and it was In English. The highlight was doing a wine tasting of 2 18 year old bottles of wine that are not even available for sales, but were among the countless bottles stored in the wine caves - some bottles were over 100 years old. We have been on wine tours elsewhere in Spain, Napa, Washington State and Oregon, but this was by far our all-time favorite tour! We also saw where Ernest Hemingway drank wine in the wine cave here back in the 1950’s.
3. Marques de Murrieta
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 303 reviews
Marques de Murrieta is an older than 165 years-old winery where the deep respect for the history and the tradition finds a perfect balance with the focus on the future. Its origin dates from 1852 when Luciano Murrieta y Garcia -Lemoine produces the first fine wine from Rioja and is the first one to export it. He acquires the Ygay Estate and builds his emblematic Ygay Castle. In 1983 Vicente Cebrian Sagarriga, tenth Count of Creixell, takes over the project and after his death in 1996, his children, who are currently responsible of such an ambitious and endearing family business that they strengthen day after day with its presence in the different continents. The uniqueness and quality of the Marques de Murrieta wines is determined, to a great extent, by the singular caracter of the Ygay Estate, 300 hectares of own vineyards located around the winery, which allow the absolute control of the raw material. L
Reviewed By Spanishkathryn - London, United Kingdom
Extremely enjoyable from beginning to end. Very helpful staff, we booked at short notice and they made the process very easy online by answering any queries and responding quickly. Amazing building to visit, a historical winery. Excellent wines tasted, paired with some very good food (we had aperitivos only, not a meal). Small group, and the guide (Natalia) was so knowledgeable and passionate it was made even more enjoyable. Short distance from Logroño and absolutely worthwhile if you are visiting the area, you will learn about La Rioja wines, history and it is an overall great experience. We did it in Spanish but they offer other languages, I recommend you book in advance if you want to secure a visit in another language.
4. Bodegas Tritium
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 628 reviews
Tritium winery is a XV century old winery recovered by Francisco and Javier, both friends and the 4th generation of wine makers in their families. Their wines come from the amazing old vineyards their grand parents planted 100 years ago. They believe in Terroir and their wines are exactly the expression of their ancient knowledge.
5. Bodegas Vina Ijalba S.A.
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 108 reviews
Vina Ijalba is innovation, research and development, differentiation and sustainability. The principles of organic wine production are applied throughout the entire process and a focus on sustainability is always present. During the visit we introduce you to La Rioja, The DOCa (appellation), certainly the peculiarities of our winery, vineyards and much more.
6. Bodegas Campo Viejo
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 169 reviews
If you want to discover the true taste of Rioja, there is no better place than Campo Viejo winery. You will see how wines are made, discover our environmentally friendly practices and enjoy a wine tasting session of our favourite vintages. During the visit, you will learn about the history of Campo Viejo, our innovative winery with one of the most impressive barrel ageing rooms in the world, our commitment to environment and much more.
Reviewed By Sergio2252 - Los Angeles, United States
We worked with the representatives from Pernod, like Raul Cotelo to make arrangements for a tour and tasting. At 12 euros, it was the best buy on day 1 of our 7 day adventure into 25 wineries in La Rioja. We were greeted by a most informed employee who hosted the tour and tasting. He took us through a discussion of the vineyards which really enlightened us. Part of the tour was a walk through the fermentation and storage tanks. It is an immense structure, all working by gravity feed and no pumping anywhere. See photos which represent only a fraction of the stainless steel tank capacity. We were staggered by the fact that they are able to keep individual lots/vineyards separated from dozens of growers during the fermentation and oak barrel ageing processes. That approach takes a huge commitment to storage. They do it to preserve the best product for later bottling and blending. Very impressive. Since La Rioja DOC requires varying lengths of bottle aging of Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva, much of the inventory is tied up in bottles awaiting labeling. Lots of warehouse space is allocated to do this bottle aging. See photos and realize that again, it represents only a portion of the floor space for their production. This was our first tasting of La Rioja wines in a Bodega. What we were expecting was the mini-sipping quantities so commonly poured in CA. What we got were glasses which were 1/2 filled and revisiting offered on all wines. We loved the Spanish/Basque hospitality of La Rioja Enotourism, but noting that we were driving, we had to manage our intake. DUI blood levels are lower in Spain. At the end of the tour, we sampled 4 wines (and local food products for pairing) including a rarely made commemorative wine. It was simply divine. We would not hesitant to offer any of the Campo Viejo wines to friends and family. They were expertly made and it showed in the bottle. Campo Viejo has combined high volume with high quality wine production. We did not know it at the time, but we would only find that unique capability at one other La Rioja winery. We later found many large and small producers who did not measure up to the quality of Campo Viejo. Bravo, to the owners of Campo Viejo. We are now looking for it in the USA.
7. Arizcuren Bodega & Vinedos
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By 13AbelA - Sydney, Australia
Javier the owner and Laura treated our group from the UK to an unforgettable afternoon, showing us the premises, telling us about the background of the winery, and offering us excellent wines and foods to pair. I would strongly recommend a visit to Arizcuren; it is urban, niche, micro, and you will experience something different from the larger wineries, for example, meeting the winery owner.
8. Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 287 reviews
Built in the 12th and 13th centuries, this Romanesque cathedral has a unique tradition of keeping live chickens in its interior to commemorate a local legend.
9. Vivanco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 949 reviews
VIVANCO IS MUCH MORE THAN EXPERIENCES We seek to transport you to a new universe of sensations where the wine takes centre stage. 9,000 m2 of emotions and activities around culture, art, cuisine, flavour and fun. The meeting point between knowledge and the enjoyment of wine. Today at Vivanco we understand wine as a way of life from an innovative, energy-filled perspective, offering you a unique, exclusive experience around the Culture of Wine. Winery, Foundation and Experiences are a faithful reflection of the commitment of the Vivanco family to "giving back to wine what wine has given us", which we invite you to discover.
Reviewed By tanialebautayuso - Madrid, Spain
We really enjoyed the museum's visit as well as the wine testing. Really nice wine (particularly the crianza) and the visit was very informative with lots of clear information about how to make wine! Plan at least five hours to see the whole thing!
10. Bodegas Muga
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 811 reviews
Bodega familiar fundada en 1932 por Isaac Muga y Aurora Caño. Tradición y vanguardia se unen para que vivas tu #ExperienciaMuga Barrio de la Estación de Haro, La Rioja.
Reviewed By Z1997NSmariac - Fort Wayne, United States
Each wine tour seems to be a little different and this one is special because they go through the process so thoroughly and get to see a barrel being made. Really thought this tour was the best of about 60 tours I have down all over the world. Highly recommend it and we use our complimentary Muga glasses that made it overseas wrapped in paper. Do this tour.
