SShprints

Hello, we are going from Barcelona to Basque Country in late August and are doing a one night stay over at Marquis de Riscal. We would like to have 1 day experience in Rioja and not sure where to visit. The plan would be to leave Barcelona at around 7am on Sunday, Aug. 24th and arrive in Rioja at around 11-12. I'd like to drop off our stuff and head out into wine country. After that have a lovely dinner in the region and spend the night at Marquis.

Which are the best wineries to visit? Do we need to make an appointment? I read that Rioja Alta and Lopez de Heredia, both in Haro are a must. Any suggestions on how to plan this day? Lunch/dinner recommendations?

We leave to San Sebastian the following morning.

Thanks!

Robert2533

You'll need to make reservations. Be aware that most bodegas only offer one tour per day in English and most wineries will be closed on Sunday.

You should read Maribel's Guide to the Rioja (on-line) for more information.

SShprints

one of us is a spanish speaker so doesn't need to be in english. Do I need to make a reservation for a tour or even for a tasting?

jo_ann

I concur that I believe Sunday's not a good day for this. We visited there in 2012 during the portion of our trip in the Basque areas (actually, we were in between Bilbao and San Sebastián and this was very conveniently done). We visited Lopez de Heredia, had made a reservation for the visit, and my recollection is that the English tour was mid-morning, and lasted quite the while. Utterly fascinating, and great fun - and yes, we left with wine! Their website has a spot for reservations - I'd suggest trying that to see if Sundays are available, and if not, rearrange either the day or drop this part of your trip. As I mentioned, we dropped down from Bilbao for this - depending on where you're headed, that might be an option? There's never enough time for the Basque area!

mikelg

Hundreds of options...try to base yourselves in Laguardia or Haro to make the most of your visit, as many wineries are close by. You can do one winery in the morning and another one in the afternoon...they take around two hours each, this is not like Napa Valley. Marqués de Riscal offers an impressive building, I´m not very fond of their winery (too touristy), I´d try those wineries right underneath the streets of Laguardia too (Fabulista or López de Viñaspre). Another one I like is Remelluri and Baigorri. There also are very private wineries that just open for very small groups (max 6 people) and you meet the owner, who shows you how he makes his wine.

Robert2533

There are a few 'wine bars' that have opened this year, but in order to actually visit a bodega, and find out something about the wine, you will need to make a reservation, at least a few days in advance.

The 'Napa' concept of wine touring is nothing more than dropping by a local bar. You learn nothing.

yipper

Laguardia is busy, but charming. There are a multiple of wineries. I do not have a recommendation for any particular one. We took a hot air balloon ride out of Haro. The down side is it leaves very early in the morning, but lots of fun. Have a fabulous trip.

SShprints

bummer. you guys were correct. many of the wineries are closed on Sunday. Unfortunately, this is the only day we can go. The wineries are Marquis de Riscal are open and we really want to stay in this hotel for 1 night. They suggested we do a tour of their vineyard and then pay a visit to a couple of smaller one's in the region: Dinastía Vivanco in Briones, El Fabulista in Laguardia or Valdelana in Elciego. Any thoughts on these?

Robert2533

I would do Eguren Ugarte for a tour, tasting and possibly lunch (www.enoturismoegurenugarte.com). The bodega is located just west of Laguardia. There are open every day.

A visit to Dinastía Vivanco is interesting, but I'm not a fan of their wines unless you get a chance to try a Reserva. The same goes for the wines offered at the tasting at Marquis de Riscal.

El Fabulista is also interesting with its underground cellars, and their wines are decent.

SShprints

Perhaps when we arrive from Barcelona at around lunchtime, we go straight to Laguardia and grab lunch there and visit El Fabulista. After that, since we are staying at the Marquis de Riscal..I think it makes sense to do a visit to their winery. I am thinking the 4pm slot. We can relax afterwards at the hotel and have dinner there or in Elciego.
How does that sound?

traveller1959

Of course, you should take the tour at Marques de Riscal - it excellent, ends with a tasting and lasts about 90 minutes. You have to reserve even if you stay overnight at the hotel. They offer the tours in various languages at different times a day. Try to reserve the last English speaking tour on the day when you arrive. It is gorgeous because you see the beautiful grounds, the historic cellars, the modern high tech winery and the outstanding Frank O. Gehry architecture (who also designed the technical parts of the building). And it is convenient and nobody has to drive.

mikelg

I love the building of Marqués de Riscal, but not the winery (not fond of crowds and buses and massive tours). I back Robert´s suggestions on alternative visits.

Robert2533

Lunch doesn't begin in the Rioja until after 1:30, and you will need reservations if you want to dine at any of the better restaurants like Amelibia and Héctor Oribe. There is a new option in Laguardia if you don't want to make reservations. Tapas Bar/Restaurant Doña Blanca was opened a few months ago and the food is pretty decent.