3 Rioja Wineries: Marqués de Riscal, Ysios & More from Bilbao
Description
Discover the perfect introduction to Rioja by exploring both its legendary wineries and its exciting new generation of winemakers. Visit three contrasting wineries, including the architectural icons Marqués de Riscal and Ysios, plus a family-run boutique winery where you'll experience Rioja's modern wine movement. Taste at least 8 exceptional wines, from world-famous labels to small-production gems, while learning about the region's history, terroir, and winemaking traditions. Complete your day in the medieval village of Laguardia, where you'll enjoy a light tapas lunch, stroll its charming cobbled streets, and capture unforgettable photos of vineyards, spectacular architecture, and breathtaking landscapes. A perfect blend of iconic wineries, authentic culture, and unforgettable scenery.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The tour starts from Bilbao and includes a scenic drive along the dramatic ridge of the Sierra de Cantabria mountains on our way to the Rioja wine region — a beautiful journey of approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Marqués de Riscal is one of Rioja’s most historic and influential wineries, founded in 1858 and known for combining tradition with bold innovation. Taste 4 wines Its wines helped put Rioja on the world map, and today the estate is instantly recognisable thanks to the spectacular titanium-and-steel hotel designed by Frank Gehry. During your complete guided visit, you’ll explore one of the region’s pioneering wineries, learn about its winemaking legacy and enjoy a tasting of some of their emblematic wines.
Our next stop is Ysios Winery, one of Rioja's most iconic architectural landmarks. Designed by the renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, its striking wave-shaped roof mirrors the Sierra de Cantabria mountains, making it one of the most photographed wineries in the world. We will step inside the winery to discover the story behind its remarkable design, learn about its architecture, and enjoy a tasting of one of Ysios' most iconic wines.
The last winery takes us to Javier San Pedro Ortega, a family-run boutique winery representing the new wave of Rioja winemakers. Here, you'll discover how a new generation is redefining the region by combining tradition with innovation and a strong focus on terroir. The experience concludes with a guided tasting of four wines, perfectly paired with a selection of local Rioja appetizers, offering an authentic taste of the region's modern winemaking scene.
Our tour concludes with a light tapas lunch in Laguardia, one of Spain's most beautiful medieval villages. Stroll through its charming cobbled streets and soak up the atmosphere as you enjoy a selection of traditional local tapas, the perfect ending to a day discovering the very best of Rioja.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(155)
This Rijoa wine tasting tour was fabulous! Our guide was so friendly, personable, and accomodating! She made the day perfect! The wineries were amazing and lunch in Laguardia was fabulous! A great day!!
My daughter and I enjoyed the day trip from Bilbao! The landscape was beautiful and the architecture of the Marqués de Riscal hotel and Ysios winery were incredible. Great wine from all three vineyards! Our guide was fantastic and very knowledgeable about wine and the area. Highly recommend!
An excellent day in beautiful Rioja seeing the old and the new wineries, and the truly amazing buildings. A friendly guide who looked after us well all day. The trip looks expensive, and it is, but we really thought that it was a high point of our time visiting this part of Spain.
The perfect introduction to the beautiful wine area of Rioja. The more traditional Marques de Riscal with an amazing premium hotel on site. The new pretenders of Javier San Pedro Otega, and the truly magnificent building that is Ysios. A simple Basque lunch of more fabulous wine and pinxtos, and you have the most perfect day in warm sunshine. I’m sure you’re all looking and thinking that this is expensive - just do it if you are a true lover of wine and you’ll not be disappointed!
Well planned tour- Arrate was knowledgable and very professional. We were 6 so it was more of a personal tour. The traditional wineries are worth a visit for their architectural value- however we loved the visit to a more modern one- their wines are exceptional- highly recommended-
Our tour guide was wonderful! Arrate was personable and knowledgeable and it was a pleasure to spend the day with her. We loved each winery we visited. Highly recommend this tour!
A fabulous tour! Our guide, Arrate, provided a wonderful experience, start to finish. Our group fell in love with the setting, the wines, and the charming village of LaGuardia, where we ended with wine and pintxos. Highly recommend both the tour and our guide!
Great Rioja wine day trip from Bilbao! Arrate is a great guide and her knowledge of the wine and area was very helpful. The three vineyards visits are very good and varied as Riscal is a large producer while Ysios and Javier San Pedro (next to each other) are smaller producers. We liked the informal tasting at San Pedro the best. The Ysios architecture was stunning
We had a great experience. Our guide was very knowledgeable and was an excellent driver. The wineries were beautiful and the wines were delicious.
Had such a wonderful time on this wine tour with our guide Arrate. Stopped at three fantastic vineyards and tasted some delicious wines.
