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Álava, Spain Culinary & nightlife

Our most recommended Álava, Spain Culinary & nightlife

From Bilbao: Rioja Architecture and Wine Tour

1. From Bilbao: Rioja Architecture and Wine Tour

Discover both the ancient and modern beauty of Bilbao's surrounding towns on an insightful excursion. Visit the Marques de Riscal and Ysios wineries to gaze at the innovative architecture and taste some Rioja wines. Explore the medieval town of LaGuardia and enjoy a traditional pintxos lunch. Depart from Bilbao to tour the Marques de Riscal winery, designed by one of today's leading architects, Franck Gehry. Admire the breathtaking structure made of titanium, stainless steel, wood, and sandstone. Taste their white wine, their Crianza red wine, and their award-winning Rioja Reserva. Move on to the Ysios cellar and observe a structure with many architectural features, such as the roof, meant to resemble the Sierra Cantabria. Enjoy a brief introduction to the winery and their winemaking process, followed by a guided tasting of two of their exceptional wines with an apéritif. Take a walk through the walled medieval city of LaGuardia, one of the most beautiful towns in the Rioja Alavesa region. Look at the fortified walls and winding cobblestone streets surrounded by vineyards and mountains. Finally, enjoy a Riojano lunch of 3 traditional 'pintxos' with Rioja wine.

From Bilbao: Vitoria and Rioja Region Tour with Wine Tasting

2. From Bilbao: Vitoria and Rioja Region Tour with Wine Tasting

Explore the capital city of the Basque Country, Vitoria, on a guided tour departing from Bilbao. Then, discover the La Rioja wine region with a visit to the town of Laguardia and a traditional wine cellar. Enjoy tasting regional wines in a charming setting. Start with pickup from your hotel in Bilbao by bus. First, travel to the city of Vitoria where you will take a guided walking tour of its historic center. Learn about its history and modern-day importance as the capital of the Basque Country. Taste a typical sweet of the region at an artisanal sweet shop. Next, travel to the La Rioja region, the heartland of Spain's wine industry. Admire the views of a sea of vineyards set on rolling hills. Stop at the quaint town of Laguardia for a walking tour around the historic quarter. Then, enjoy a guided visit to a traditional winery located in a scenic location. Learn about the production of wine in the region, with tasting included. Afterward, relax on the journey back to Bilbao, with drop-off at your accommodation or hotel.

From Pamplona or Logroño: Rioja Wineries Day Trip w/ Tasting

3. From Pamplona or Logroño: Rioja Wineries Day Trip w/ Tasting

The neighboring region of La Rioja is characterized by its millenary tradition in the production of wine, which some say comes from Roman times. In any case, it is known that at the end of the 19th century Bordeaux winemakers came to the area, identifying suitable characteristics in its terrain and climate, to begin an extensive production that has made the DO Rioja the most important in the country today in day. Take advantage of the opportunity offered by this tour to visit two medium-sized wineries in the area (we always try to stay away from crowded groups) and learn the secrets of winemaking. We will also visit the medieval village of Laguardia, on top of a hill, to enjoy a panoramic view of the great plain of vineyards. Approximate itinerary from Pamplona: 9:15 Pick up and departure from Pamplona 10:15 Pick up and departure from Logroño 11:00 Visit to the first winery and wine tasting 1:00 Visit to the second winery and wine tasting 2:00 Arrival in Laguardia and light meal 3:00 Departure from Laguardia 3:15 Drop off in Logroño 4:15 Drop off in Pamplona

Premium Wine Tour of Rioja with Gourmet Lunch (From Bilbao)

4. Premium Wine Tour of Rioja with Gourmet Lunch (From Bilbao)

Visit two of Rioja’s finest wineries on this day trip from Bilbao. Sample some of the region's most exceptional wines and learn about the production methods. Relax with lunch at a gourmet restaurant and then tour the village of La Guardia.    Taste at least 9 types of wine from both wineries. Enjoy a full tour of one of the wineries to learn the unique production methods used in the area.   Capture photos of the Rioja vineyard landscape from secret vantage points. Admire the views of Rioja's vineyards against the mountainous backdrop. Continue the day with lunch at one of the region's finest restaurants. Try a tasting menu with local wines.  Finally, take a guided tour of the walled, medieval city of LaGuardia, complete with underground cellars and wineries.  Discover the fortified walls and winding cobblestone streets surrounded by vineyards and mountains. 

From Bilbao: Day trip to Laguardia, Briones and Murua

5. From Bilbao: Day trip to Laguardia, Briones and Murua

We will be waiting for you at the main entrance of the Guggenheim in Bilbao, where Puppy will witness your departure to the most beautiful villages of Spain. Places where Laguardia is a mandatory stop. This is precisely where we will stop first. The welcoming door to the Rioja Alavesa with a classic medieval touch in which an intense aroma of wine is released. We will walk through the historic area of Laguardia while we briefly tell you the history of this town and the Rioja Alavesa. We will go up to the Casa de la Primicia, the most outstanding example of medieval and Renaissance architecture that rises above its cobblestone streets. And at the ends of this population you will not miss the churches of Santa Maria de los Reyes and San Juan Bautista. Between steps, and with the best daylight, you can discover how Laguardia is a town full of wineries -not for less because of its location-. On the first floor of many commercial establishments you will see places where delicious wines are made, although your oenological moment will come after the visit to this town, when you arrive at the Murua Masaveu Winery, a few minutes from here. Getting off the bus in front of the manor house in the village of Elciego is like breathing in the smell of 100% Rioja wines. The quality, the treatment of the product and its detailed and careful elaboration result in a delicious product. More than 80 hectares of vineyards will welcome us just before entering the interior of the Bodegas Murua building. A space divided into several areas, which houses works of art from the sixteenth century and contains a library with copies of several centuries ago. And where, of course, you will discover the secrets of winemaking. It will be a great experience to learn about the cult of wine that takes place in some wineries halfway between Laguardia and Briones, where we will go. A short drive will take us to the most beautiful village in the north of La Rioja. Medieval architecture, cobblestone streets and buildings and a square that is the envy of many. But before you start touring this town, how about a break to recharge your batteries? We will give you the best recommendations to taste the best of its local gastronomy. After lunch, we will meet again to visit the church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, which presides over Briones and the Plaza de España thanks to the height of its bell tower. From there we will go to the Briones Town Hall in the Casa-Palacio de los Marqueses de San Nicolás to also see the Old Abbey, the Palacio de los Quincoces or the famous Torre del Homenaje (Homage Tower). After visiting Briones we will return to Bilbao after discovering a vision as rural as it is beautiful of the Rioja Alavesa.

La Rioja Boutique Wine Tour & Magical Picnic (From Bilbao)

6. La Rioja Boutique Wine Tour & Magical Picnic (From Bilbao)

Discover the secrets of Rioja wines on this day trip from Bilbao. Travel aboard an a premium vehicle and travel to 2 unique boutique wineries. Listen as your guide decodes the wine grading process for you. Sample a variety of wines and sit down to a Spanish picnic in a scenic vineyard spot.  Dive into determining the quality of Rioja wines like Cosecha, Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reservas. Hear about the facinating aging process for each type of wine.Visit wineries that were purposefully chosen for their contrasts and uniqueness. The majority of the wines that you taste will have received 90+ points from the renowned wine experts Tim Atkin and James Suckling. Be served a variety of local cheeses, cold meats, nuts, and other traditional products as appetizers throughout the day. Settle in to a charming picnic in one of the wineries with traditional Spanish products such as Iberican Ham or a Spanish omelet. Finally, you walk through the town of LaGuardia, a walled medieval city that is one of the most picturesque villages in the Rioja Alavesa region. Return to your accommodation in Bilbao at the end of your tour. 

From Bilbao: La Rioja Wine Tour by E-Bike with Wine Tastings

7. From Bilbao: La Rioja Wine Tour by E-Bike with Wine Tastings

Cycle through one of the world's most internationally renowned wine-growing regions on this La Rioja e-bike tour from Bilbao. Enjoy pickup from your hotel and cycle through centuries-old vines, medieval villages, olive tree farms, and the Sierra Cantabria. Stop for two tastings on the way. After getting picked up from your accommodation in Bilbao, set out for your vineyard adventure in the company of an expert guide who will teach you everything you need to know about the Rioja DOca, the vinification process, the local grape varieties, and the area's incredible 2000-year-old wine culture. Visit two wineries (one in the vineyards and the other one in the cellar) and taste three different Rioja varieties in each. In the second winery, enjoy a traditional picnic lunch in the vineyards. The lunch includes Spanish tortilla (omelet), tomato salad, local dry meats, and cheeses. Finish your Rioja wine tour experience with a stop at the medieval village of Laguardia. Take some pictures of this picturesque town with over 900 years of history before returning to Bilbao.

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What people are saying about Álava, Spain

Sara was a delightful guide. She was very knowledgeable, very attentive and great fun. We couldn't have asked for more! She took us round three of the best local family-run wineries in La Rioja which we could never have found on our own. We learnt so much. Sara rounded off the day with a delicious lunch in Lagrono. Definitely a day to remember!

Excellent organization; from pick up at the hotel, operation, explanations and tips from the tour guide/driver. Can only recommend excursion.

Great experience in a family owned traditional winery. English speaking guide was great as was the tasting. Great wines too.

Daniel our guide was very nice, the day was beautiful and the wine fabulous

I think our guide did an excellent job balancing a very good day.

I would recommend this to others. A highlight of our trip.