Unfortunately the trip to visit three guided vineyard visits, was not what was delivered. We were taken to two minor wine producers ( no vineyards) and the tour operators back garden. (where we had to use placemats to shelter our faces and drinks from insecticide spraying.)
Based on the photo in the advert of Ysios Bodega, we fully expected this, or equivalent iconic venue, to be part of the tour. The itinerary of what was going to take place was sent to us the day before the trip, too late to cancel at this point and too vague to appreciate that the tour was such a low level experience. Pick up was an unnecessarily long walk in high temperatures, we were able to, upon request, get dropped off much closer to our hotel on return. The pick up was disappointing as our fellow group members were staying at the same hotel so there no need to arrange the other meeting point.
If like us, you just have one day to explore the Rioja vineyards, this trip is underwhelming and disappointing .
Operatørens svar
Dear Helen,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are genuinely sorry that the experience did not meet your expectations. However, we were surprised to receive this review, as throughout the day both you and the rest of your group repeatedly expressed how much you were enjoying the tour and did not raise any concerns with either your guide or our team.
That said, we believe it is important to clarify a few points so that future travelers have a complete and accurate understanding of our experience.
First of all, the tour delivered was exactly as described in our listing. Our experience includes two guided winery visits and one guided vineyard experience. This information is not only stated under “What’s Included,” but is also clearly explained in the tour description:
• A historic winery where guests discover Rioja’s traditional winemaking methods.
• A modern winery showcasing contemporary winemaking and oak-aging techniques.
• A visit to one of our special vineyards to learn about viticulture, grape varieties, and the origins of Rioja wines.
In other words, the tour does not advertise visits to three wineries. It offers three different guided wine experiences, exactly as described and exactly as delivered.
Regarding the wineries visited, Rioja is home to nearly 600 wineries. One of the greatest advantages of booking with a local company is discovering authentic places and unique experiences that most independent travelers would never find on their own. We carefully select wineries based on the quality of the visit, the educational value, and the opportunity to provide exclusive, less commercial experiences. Our winery selection may also vary depending on daily availability and reservations.
As for the promotional photographs, they showcase some of Rioja’s most iconic locations and reflect the beauty and diversity of the region. At no point do we state that a specific winery is included unless it is explicitly mentioned in the tour description. In fact, the winery you refer to is probably the most famous and photographed winery in Rioja, and many visitors choose to visit it independently because it is one of the easiest wineries to access without a guided tour.
Regarding the vineyard experience, its purpose is to provide guests with an authentic understanding of where wine truly begins: the vineyards, the soil, the climate, the grape varieties, and the work behind every bottle. This is consistently one of the highest-rated parts of our tour because it offers an authentic perspective on Rioja that visitors rarely experience without a local guide.
Regarding the meeting point, our tour description clearly states that, as this is a group tour, pick-up is from a designated meeting point. Your hotel is located inside the historic old town, in a pedestrian-only area with restricted vehicle access. Entering this area requires special authorization from the local police and significantly complicates both the logistics and the safety of a shared group tour. For this reason, we use convenient meeting points just outside the old town, which is standard practice for many group experiences. Nevertheless, whenever operationally possible, we are happy to drop guests closer to their accommodation at the end of the day, as we did in your case.
Finally, after receiving your refund request several days after the tour, we carefully reviewed your concerns. We completely understand that you may have imagined a different type of experience. However, we cannot issue a refund because of expectations that were not part of the published tour description. The experience provided fully matched the itinerary and inclusions advertised, and therefore there was no failure to deliver the service purchased.
At Rioja Like A Native, we firmly believe that trust is built through honesty and transparency. That is why we take great care to describe exactly what each tour includes, so our guests know what to expect before booking. We also value every review, as they help future travelers make informed decisions. For that reason, we believe it is important to clarify the facts in an objective and respectful manner.
For more than a decade, we have been committed to showing visitors the authentic Rioja through family-run wineries, local vineyards, regional gastronomy, and experiences that go far beyond the typical tourist route. That commitment to quality, authenticity, and transparency remains at the heart of everything we do.
We sincerely thank you for visiting Rioja and wish you all the best.Dear [Name],
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are genuinely sorry that the experience did not meet your expectations. However, we were surprised to receive this review, as throughout the day both you and the rest of your group repeatedly expressed how much you were enjoying the tour and did not raise any concerns with either your guide or our team.
That said, we believe it is important to clarify a few points so that future travelers have a complete and accurate understanding of our experience.
First of all, the tour delivered was exactly as described in our listing. Our experience includes two guided winery visits and one guided vineyard experience. This information is not only stated under “What’s Included,” but is also clearly explained in the tour description:
• A historic winery where guests discover Rioja’s traditional winemaking methods.
• A modern winery showcasing contemporary winemaking and oak-aging techniques.
• A visit to one of our special vineyards to learn about viticulture, grape varieties, and the origins of Rioja wines.
In other words, the tour does not advertise visits to three wineries. It offers three different guided wine experiences, exactly as described and exactly as delivered.
Regarding the wineries visited, Rioja is home to nearly 600 wineries. One of the greatest advantages of booking with a local company is discovering authentic places and unique experiences that most independent travelers would never find on their own. We carefully select wineries based on the quality of the visit, the educational value, and the opportunity to provide exclusive, less commercial experiences. Our winery selection may also vary depending on daily availability and reservations.
As for the promotional photographs, they showcase some of Rioja’s most iconic locations and reflect the beauty and diversity of the region. At no point do we state that a specific winery is included unless it is explicitly mentioned in the tour description. In fact, the winery you refer to is probably the most famous and photographed winery in Rioja, and many visitors choose to visit it independently because it is one of the easiest wineries to access without a guided tour.
Regarding the vineyard experience, its purpose is to provide guests with an authentic understanding of where wine truly begins: the vineyards, the soil, the climate, the grape varieties, and the work behind every bottle. This is consistently one of the highest-rated parts of our tour because it offers an authentic perspective on Rioja that visitors rarely experience without a local guide.
Regarding the meeting point, our tour description clearly states that, as this is a group tour, pick-up is from a designated meeting point. Your hotel is located inside the historic old town, in a pedestrian-only area with restricted vehicle access. Entering this area requires special authorization from the local police and significantly complicates both the logistics and the safety of a shared group tour. For this reason, we use convenient meeting points just outside the old town, which is standard practice for many group experiences. Nevertheless, whenever operationally possible, we are happy to drop guests closer to their accommodation at the end of the day, as we did in your case.
Finally, after receiving your refund request several days after the tour, we carefully reviewed your concerns. We completely understand that you may have imagined a different type of experience. However, we cannot issue a refund because of expectations that were not part of the published tour description. The experience provided fully matched the itinerary and inclusions advertised, and therefore there was no failure to deliver the service purchased.
At Rioja Like A Native, we firmly believe that trust is built through honesty and transparency. That is why we take great care to describe exactly what each tour includes, so our guests know what to expect before booking. We also value every review, as they help future travelers make informed decisions. For that reason, we believe it is important to clarify the facts in an objective and respectful manner.
For more than a decade, we have been committed to showing visitors the authentic Rioja through family-run wineries, local vineyards, regional gastronomy, and experiences that go far beyond the typical tourist route. That commitment to quality, authenticity, and transparency remains at the heart of everything we do.
We sincerely thank you for visiting Rioja and wish you all the best.
