Wine Tasting Tours in Rioja

<span><strong>Logroño-Agoncillo Airport (RJL)</strong> is the closest airport to the heart of the Rioja wine region; however, this airport is very small and only two companies fly here, Iberia and Air Nostrum.</span><br>Another practical airport you could fly to is <strong>Vitoria (VIT)</strong> which is about 65.4 km away from Rioja.<br>More international flights arrive at <strong>Bilbao Airport(BIO)</strong>, which is 114.4 km.

<span>Traveling by car is the best way to reach vineyard areas in Rioja and take advantage of the natural beauties of the region. You can easily get on a </span>wine tour in Rioja from Madrid and Barcelona. From Madrid,<span> you can follow the <strong>A2/N111</strong> highways north and east for about 3.5 hours. Driving from Barcelona takes a bit longer but it can be an amazing journey through Spain. </span><br>A great way to get to explore Rioja is to follow one of the three official wine routes in the region. Each wine route is dedicated to one Rioja appellation: <strong>Ruta del Vino de Rioja Alavesa</strong>, <strong>Ruta del Vino Rioja Alta</strong> and <strong>Ruta del Vino Rioja Oriental</strong>.

<span>The fastest option to reach Rioja by train is to travel with a <strong>Renfe</strong> service from Barcelona or Madrid. The journey takes more or less 3.5 to 4.5 hours from those two cities to Logroño. Some trains directly arrive in Logroño, while others require a connection to Zaragoza.</span>

If you want to be captivated by the green vineyards, summer is the best time to take part in wine activities Rioja. You can also enjoy some pretty warm weather all year round while sipping delicious wine from the Rioja wine region. But if you are more into witnessing the harvesting season and want to have a first-hand experience of picking the grapes with your bare hands, fall is the perfect season!
Even during the harsh winter, wineries in Rioja have much more to offer. You can taste their last vintages during this time and take part in winter sports activities like skiing.

If you are a wine enthusiast, don't forget to visit the Rioja Wine Museum, near Bodega Vivanco, showcasing the fantastic 8000-year history of winemaking in Rioja!
Logroño is the capital city of the La Rioja region and it offers a rich history and beautiful landmarks that have been preserved since the Middle Ages.
You can also travel to San Millán de la Cogolla as it boasts beautiful historic buildings and houses. 

The most popular wine in Rioja is Tempranillo, and it will for sure be served to you during wine tours in Rioja. Tempranillo is a medium to full-bodied wine, with a medium level of acidity, and tannins and is medium dry. Tempranillo presents very strong and detailed aromas, the most iconic ones are vanilla, plum, and cherry.
Garnacha is another popular red variety from Rioja and you might come across it while doing wine tastings. Garnacha features aromas of berries, such as strawberries and raspberries, and notes of tobacco, cinnamon, anise; in some cases it might feel citrusy on the palate. This red wine has medium tannins and acidity, with a medium level of alcohol.

Wine tours in Rioja mostly consist of wineries and cellar tours followed by a tasting of the best selection of wines paired with local specialties and delicious tapas.
Some wineries offer walking tours of their vineyards before getting into the wine-tasting experience. Since vineyards in Rioja are mostly located on steep slopes, you will profit from an incredible view over the land! Other wine tastings and tours in Rioja take you to their aging rooms.
Some wineries, such as Bodegas Corral, offer several types of tours around their estate and vineyards. Before sitting down for a wine tasting, you can go horseback riding or on a bike tour.

Tips from local wineries

Here are some of the finest destinations to explore in the region:

• Estella: A popular point of interest on the Camino de Santiago, located just 35 kilometers to the north.
• Olite: Known for its magnificent medieval city, featuring an impressive castle and beautifully landscaped streets.
• Las Musas in Arellano: Explore the Roman town, dating back to the 3rd century, where wine and oil were produced for Rome.
• Calahorra: Founded in the 1st century and steeped in history.
• Gastronomic Delights: Savor garden-fresh products like asparagus, artichokes, and Piquillo peppers. Explore local canning factories and dine at highly-regarded, affordable restaurants.

In addition to wine tourism, La Rioja offers a diverse array of experiences:

• Gastronomy: La Rioja is renowned for its culinary culture, featuring up to six Michelin-starred restaurants.
• Visiting Logroño: Explore the historic old town, visit the Catedral de Santa María de la Redonda, and relish the local pintxos (small tapas).
• Culture: Discover UNESCO World Heritage Sites at the monasteries of San Millán de Yuso and San Millán de Suso, the birthplace of the Spanish language in San Millán de la Cogolla.
• Nature: Enjoy a wealth of outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain biking (BTT), horse riding, and birdwatching.

These are some of the best places in Rioja that offer wine experiences for groups:<ul><br> <li><a href="https://www.winetourism.com/experience/winery-tour-at-the-consejo-de-la-alta/">Consejo de la Alta</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.winetourism.com/experience/wine-tasting-tour-at-the-bodegas-puelles/">Bodegas Puelles</a></li><br> <li><a href="https://www.winetourism.com/experience/winery-visit-and-tasting-at-alutiz-vinos-bodegas-pascual-berganzo/">Alútiz Vinos (Bodegas Pascual Berganzo)</a></li><br></ul>

These are places in Rioja that provide the best wine tours for travelers on a budget:<br><ul><br> <li><a href="https://www.winetourism.com/experience/guided-tour-and-wine-tasting-at-bodegas-jer/">Bodegas JER</a></li><br> <li><a href="https://www.winetourism.com/experience/wine-tasting-and-winery-tour-of-bodegas-ramirez-de-la-piscina/">Ramirez de la Piscina</a></li><br> <li><a href="https://www.winetourism.com/experience/wine-tasting-tour-at-the-bodegas-puelles/">Bodegas Puelles</a></li><br> <li><a href="https://www.winetourism.com/experience/winery-visit-and-tasting-at-bodega-eduardo-garrido-garcia/">Bodega Eduardo Garrido Garcia</a></li><br></ul>

Here are some of the experiences offered by organic wine producers in Rioja:<ul><br> <li><a href="https://www.winetourism.com/experience/wine-tasting-and-winery-tour-of-bodegas-manzanos/">Wine tasting and tour at Bodegas Manzanos</a></li><br> <li><a href="https://www.winetourism.com/experience/vineyard-guided-visit-at-bodegas-corral/">Wine tasting and vineyard tour at Bodegas Corral</a></li><br></ul>

If you are looking for more premium tours to Rioja, we recommend you take a tour with a private guide:<ul><br> <li><a href="https://www.winetourism.com/book-a-local-wine-guide/german-zapata/rioja-private-tour-from-bilbao/">Rioja Private Tour From Bilbao</a></li><br> <li><a href="https://www.winetourism.com/book-a-local-wine-guide/jon/experience-the-unknown-rioja-wine-region/">Discover The Unknown Rioja Wine Region</a></li><br> <li><a href="https://www.winetourism.com/book-a-local-wine-guide/diego/rioja-wine-experience-from-san-sebastian/">Full-day tour to Rioja</a></li><br> <li><a href="https://www.winetourism.com/experience/wine-tasting-and-winery-tour-at-the-bodegas-valenciso/"></a><a href="https://www.winetourism.com/book-a-local-wine-guide/local-experts/rioja-winery-tour-from-san-sebastian/">Rioja Winery Tour from San Sebastian</a></li></ul>

If you are staying in <meta charset="utf-8">Logroño or Haro and you want to visit wineries, check out our pages for:<br><a href="https://www.winetourism.com/city/wineries-wine-tours-near-logrono/">- Wineries near <meta charset="utf-8">Logroño<br></a><a href="https://www.winetourism.com/city/wineries-wine-tours-near-haro/">- Wineries near Haro</a>

Rioja hosts various wine festivals and events throughout the year. The "Batalla del Vino" (Wine Battle) takes place in the town of Haro in late June, where participants engage in a friendly wine fight using buckets of wine. The "San Mateo Festival" in Logroño, the capital of La Rioja, also features wine-related events, tastings, and parades. Check out our list of wine festivals in 2023 to see the latest updates.

Rioja is a fantastic region for outdoor activities. The Sierra de Cantabria offers hiking trails with panoramic views of the vineyards and countryside. There are also cycling routes, such as the "Cycling Route of the Rioja Alavesa Wine" that takes you through scenic vineyard landscapes.