The Eight Essential Basque Country Hotels for Wine Aficionados
The Rioja Alavesa basin on the border of the Basque Country and La Rioja is up there with the likes of Tuscany and Napa Valley in both the quality of its wines and breathtaking beauty of its landscape. The internationally recognized wine region is surrounded by the striking granite peaks of Sierra de Cantabria to the North and the Iberian range to the south, creating a perfect grape-growing climate where rolling vineyards and picturesque medieval villages stretch for as far as the eye can see. Wine lovers far and wide flock here to experience this feast for the senses. Below are the best hotels for travelers wanting to make the most out of their pilgrimage.
Hotel Los Agustinos
Why it made the list
Located in the old town of Haro, considered the unofficial wine capital of La Rioja, this former monastery turned hotel is surrounded by dozens of bodegas, including the must-visit Bodegas Muga, making it an elegant home base for the endless tours and tastings available. The hotel also houses its own cellar with an excellent selection of wines from the area.
Hotel Castillo El Collado
Why it made the list
This beautiful revisionist castle is perched atop the fortified medieval village of Laguardia, in the heart of wine country, and is its own little page out of a fairy tale. The bodegas of Ysios, Eguren Ugarte, and Marqués de Riscal are all just minutes away and there’s nothing more charming than retiring to your castle or wandering the narrow cobblestone streets of the village after a day of wonderful tastings.
Hotel Viura
Why it made the list
When your hotel is named after a local grape you know you’re in the right place. The striking post-modern hotel is located in the idyllic medieval village of Villabuena de Álava, smack dab in the middle of wine country. The hotel offers complimentary bicycle rentals for guests looking to visit the nearby bodegas by bike. Attached to the hotel is a sleek wine shop and tasting bar with an on-site expert sommelier present. And the spectacular rooftop terrace of the hotel is the perfect place to uncork a bottle of wine bought downstairs.
Hotel Eguren Ugarte
Why it made the list
It may not match the architectural marvel or the five-star opulence of Marqués de Riscal, but in the end, it all comes down to the wine. And the wine at the Eguren Ugarte bodega is a crowd favorite among locals and tourists alike. The historic winery has a colorful past, jaw-dropping facilities, and beautiful vineyards that are all experienced via the tour and tasting included with a stay. Not only that, but the romantic rooms within the designer hotel, built high atop the bodega, provide hands down the most magnificent views of any hotel in all of Rioja Alavesa.
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