Sip & See: Unique Wine Tours In La Rioja In Spain

Known for its world-class Tempranillo wines and breathtaking landscapes, La Rioja is perfect for unique wine tours. Beyond traditional tastings, wine experiences here will immerse you in the art of winemaking, as well as the region’s history and traditions.

Here, we delve deeper into La Rioja’s wine culture and iconic grape varieties and share the best bodegas to visit for unforgettable wine experiences.

La Rioja, Spain

La Rioja can be considered a haven for wine lovers and blends tradition and innovation to create unforgettable tasting experiences. Here, wine is at the heart of daily life, and the slow-paced, welcoming atmosphere reflects its agricultural roots.

La Rioja’s blend of natural beauty and old-world charm provides a captivating setting for its world-renowned wines. Rolling hills covered in endless rows of Tempranillo and Garnacha vines dominate the scenery. The Sierra de Cantabria provides a striking backdrop while the Ebro River winds through the region, creating fertile valleys.

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The Best Wines In La Rioja

The wines in La Rioja reflect the diversity of its landscape, with several key grape varieties defining its character. The most popular grape variety is the Tempranillo grape, known for its delicious flavors of red berries, plum, tobacco, and vanilla. Tempranillo grapes produce medium to full-bodied wines with moderate acidity and tannins.

Garnacha grapes boast ripe red fruit flavors complemented by a subtle touch of spice, with its high sugar content contributing to the wine’s body and higher alcohol content. Graciano grapes, though less common, are prized for their intense aromas of black fruit, violets, and spices, adding acidity and complexity to blends.

La Rioja’s wines are further classified by their aging process, which significantly influences their flavor profiles. Joven (Young) wines are fresh, fruity, and vibrant, with minimal oak influence. Joven wines are often considered more approachable for those less experienced in wine tasting.

Crianza wines, aged for at least one year in oak barrels, offer a balanced mix of fruit and oak flavors, with notes of vanilla and spice. Reserva wines, aged for at least three years with a minimum of one year in oak, are more complex and refined, showcasing layered flavors of dried fruit, leather, and tobacco.

At the pinnacle are Gran Reserva wines, aged for at least five years with a minimum of two years in oak, offering remarkable depth and maturity with flavors of dried fruit, cedar, and earthy notes.

The combination of awe-inspiring landscapes, diverse grape varieties, and meticulous winemaking traditions sets the stage for an extraordinary journey through La Rioja’s most celebrated wineries.

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Marques de Riscal Winery

No exploration of La Rioja’s wine culture would be complete without a visit to Marqués de Riscal, the region’s oldest and most iconic winery. This legendary estate combines centuries-old traditions with avant-garde innovation, offering you the chance to experience the timeless elegance and pioneering spirit that define La Rioja’s winemaking excellence.

Dating back to 1858, Marqués de Riscal proudly holds the title of the oldest winery in the region. In 2024, it was awarded “The Best Vineyard in the World”, thanks to its flagship wine, Finca Torrea, and its luxury hospitality complex, including a five-star hotel and Michelin-star restaurant.

The winery boasts state-of-the-art facilities such as fermenting and aging rooms and an incredible cellar housing over eight million bottles of wine, including some special vintages dating back to 1862.

The winery’s grapes grow on 1,500 hectares spread between Elciego and neighboring towns. The calcareous clay soils produce wines with marked acidity and good tannic structure, ideal for aging.

Located near the Ebro River, the winery is surrounded by both modern and medieval architecture. The town’s proximity to the river influences the local microclimate, supporting fertile agricultural land and adding to the scenic beauty.

Here, we recommend a private wine tasting and tour of the grounds. During the tour, you will learn more about the wine-making process by discovering their fermenting and aging rooms, as well as their vast cellar which houses over eight million bottles of wine, with some special vintages dating back to 1862.

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Bodegas Remirez de Gaunuza

Bodegas Remírez de Ganuza blends old and new practices that embody La Rioja’s rich winemaking heritage.

Nestled in the charming village of Samaniego, this family-owned winery combines cutting-edge techniques with a deep respect for the land. Here, you can enjoy a unique glimpse into the artistry behind some of the region’s most outstanding wines.

Bodegas Remírez de Ganuza focuses on rigorous grape sorting by hand, showcasing a commitment to vintage and vineyard authenticity. Yet they continuously expand the industry by pioneering techniques like sorting tables and cold rooms.

One of their standout techniques is the Trasnocho method, which extracts wine from grape skins without oxidation or friction. This results in a wine with great structure, round and tasty, with notes of black fruits and spices.

Bodegas Remírez de Ganuza is surrounded by expansive hills, lush vineyards, and scenic countryside. The area is dotted with historic buildings, including medieval churches and traditional Basque farmhouses, making it a quintessential part of the renowned La Rioja wine region.

Here, you can enjoy a privately guided tour of the bodega, followed by a private wine tasting. Afterward, stroll the medieval streets of Samaniego, where narrow, winding lanes are lined with traditional stone houses and intricate ironwork.

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Launa Bodega’s Vineyard

Launa Bodega is another standout in La Rioja’s collection of remarkable wineries. This family-owned estate is nestled beneath the imposing cliffs of the Sierra de Cantabria and is a testament to the region’s dedication to quality and sustainability.

Launa Bodega uses state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge technology while still adhering to traditional wine-making techniques. The winery features stainless steel tanks equipped for precise temperature control and fermentation, ensuring the highest quality in every bottle.

The Sierra de Cantabria mountain range acts as a natural weather barrier by retaining cold, humid winds from the Cantabrian Sea and creating ideal conditions for vine development. The elevated position of Bodega Launa offers breathtaking panoramic views of the countryside, where rolling vineyards meet dramatic rock formations and rugged cliffs.

As well as offering a breathtaking backdrop during unique wine experiences, the landscape plays a vital role in producing premium quality grapes.

Visit Bodega Launa and enjoy a private visit to the vineyards and bodega, followed by a delicious lunch and wine tasting. This beautiful region is also perfect for a scenic biking tour among the gentle hills.

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Wine Tours In La Rioja In Spain

From the pioneering techniques of Bodegas Remírez de Ganuza to the historic allure of Marqués de Riscal and the serene beauty of Launa Bodega’s Vineyard, La Rioja offers unparalleled wine experiences.

For a bespoke wine tour tailored to your preferences, contact one of our travel experts today and discover the exceptional beauty of La Rioja.