Full Day Tasting The Unknown Rioja Wine Region
Description
Get to know about the Rioja terroir, from classic Rioja wines to new trends while enjoying a drinking journey full of colors and vineyards along the way throughout the whole day. THIS EXPERIENCE IS UNIQUE because we emphasize meeting "the terroir", those humble hardworking people passionate about what they do. We will visit very small wineries, from rustic ones with medieval cellars to newer and sophisticated ones. You are not visiting only just waiters in a wine bar, you will meet the locals, the grower or winemaker and you will see that sparkle in their eyes that betrays the passion and magic that makes them enjoy every moment of their job. The wine aging system has been revolutionized (back to the past) and today wine is not only aged in oak, stainless steel or concrete barrels. With your expert guide you will have the chance to buy more wines aged in clay, ceramic or cement eggs.
Tour Options
Itinerary
It will be a pleasure to pick you up at your hotel in San Sebastian (please let us know if you are staying in any other city) with my air-conditioned and heated vehicle. You will enjoy a pleasant 90 minutes drive to the Rioja wine region and you will be able to see how the landscape will change little by little.
Tasting of 5 wines and local olive oil: at Gomez Cruzado you will taste some classic and new tendencies of Riojan wines. 5 wine tasting included and option to ship their some exclusive wines home. Haro, one of the first cities having electricity in Spain because of the wine production. We will walk by this lovely neighborhood admiring the architecture of the classic and oldest wineries. [The tour can be tailor-made, there is always option to visit another of the classic Rioja wineries, contact us].
Tasting of their 3 great wines, Crianza, Reserva and a Gran Reserva (whites available for white lovers) and some local Riojan appetizer.
Let's enjoy the views from our secret viewpoint among the vineyards admiring the innovative and avant-garde architecture of the Marqués de Riscal winery designed by the famous Canadian architect Frank O. Gehry, who created a work, which, although full of shapes, is in perfect harmony with the landscape of the area. Marqués de Riscal is one of the oldest wineries in Rioja since 1858. THE MARQUIS was one of the first person and winery in Rioja aging wine in oak barrels at the end of the XIX century. [The tour is tailor-made, there is always option to visit one of the classic Rioja wineries].
We will stop in front of this unique boutique winery to admire the modern architecture designed by the famous Santiago Calatrava surrounded by the dramatic setting of the Sierra de Cantabria.
Short discovery visit and later tasting of 3 wines included in an underground Wine Cave. Some of the Unique Bodega are still aging their wines in the underground of the medieval village of Laguardia in the traditional way. It's a unique experience to discover the underground wine cellars and taste their wines.
Lunch in a local restaurant and a short walk in the town. The medieval town of Laguardia located on the top of a hill, is the capital of Rioja Alavesa Wine Region and one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. It was founded in the 10th century as a defense of the Kingdom of Navarre and retains almost intact its medieval layout. There await the fortified churches of San Juan Bautista and Santa María de los Reyes. The town keeps many secrets and is entirely pedestrian because underground there are more than 300 tunnels dug hundreds of years ago. We will explain you the origin and the use that is given to them today.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Your Expert Basque Guide will wait for you at the lobby of your hotel/apartment or on the address you are staying. In the case of airports it will have an extra cost. Contact us for more information and personalize that day.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(34)
We enjoyed a private Rioja wine tour with the amazing John. His knowledge of the area was impressive which gave us an educational and also really fun day out! We stopped for a 3 course lunch at a local restaurant which did not disappoint. John also tailored the end of our day to our personal requirements which made the whole experience 10/10. We will be recommending John & earra tours to everyone! Thank you x
Dear Sarah and friends from London, it was a pleasure to guide you in Rioja, learning about the Region and its wines, but also about having fun and relaxing. Thank you for trusting our services and hope to see you again soon. Best regards guapas! Jon Gurrea & Earra Tours Team
We had a wonderful time. Gorka picked us up from our hotel and drove us about 1.5 hours to Haro. Along the way, he shared some history of the Basque region with us. He also was kind enough to stop at gas station so my husband could get a cup of coffee. Once in Haro, we sampled 9 different wine varieties between the two wineries. We also had the opportunity to sample some delicious olive oil at Gomez Cruzado along with our wine. After leaving Haro, we continued on to Laguardia. It’s an adorable medieval town. We sampled three wines in a wine cave at Vinasperi before heading to lunch. My husband and I both had potato soup. He had lamb chops and I had steak. For dessert, we had ice cream and cheesecake. It was all delicious. After lunch, we briefly walked the town but unfortunately, due to rain we didn’t spend much time there. This tour was a lot of fun and Gorka helped make it a memorable experience.
Wow Stacy!! thank you very much for your glowing words. Our goal is to create the most memorable experiences so very happy for your experience. Best regards!!! Jon Gurrea & Earra Tours Team
Gorka was an exceptional guide and extremely knowledgeable. We learned much more than expected on our full day Rioja trip, tasted great and unique wines and even tasted in a 600 year old underground cave. Very highly recommended.
Jon with Earra Tours gave my fiancée and I a private winery tour where I proposed! Jon was amazing and helped make the day perfect! Did the pintxos food tour with Darya the next day and she was amazing and so knowledgeable! It was so fun! Now doing a winery trail with Earra again this weekend! Earra is literally single handedly making our trip unforgettable!
Dear Zack and Lena, what can I say. It was great to be able to plan this for 2 months and to see everything was amazing and perfect. Thank you for trusting us and we hope to be able to celebrate the anniversary of the proposal. Earra! Jon Gurrea & Earra Tours Team
We had an amazing all day tour with Jon! It was fun getting to know him and we had a great time going to the wineries and having a delicious local lunch together. We HIGHLY recommend this tour!
Dear Arthur, thank you so much for your kind words. It was fantastic to have you Marcia and you on our Rioja Wineries Tour and we are glad to see you had a blast. Thank you so much and we hope to see you again for more adventures!!! Best regards, Jon Gurrea & Earra Tours Team
We recently took the ‘Private Tour Full Day Tasting The Unknown Rioja Wine Region, ' which was an unforgettable experience thanks to our guide, Telmo. Not only is he extremely knowledgeable about the wines and history of the region, but he’s also incredibly friendly, making our day both educational and enjoyable. Our visits included Bodegas Muga, Bodega Gomez Crusado, and Bodega Carlos San Pedro, each offering a unique insight into the wine-making process and some truly exquisite wines. Telmo’s expertise in wine was evident as he provided detailed descriptions of each wine we tasted and shared fascinating anecdotes about the wineries. In addition to the wineries, we explored the charming town of LaGuardia, walking through its quaint streets filled with history. Telmo’s familiarity with LaGuardia enriched our visit, as he pointed out hidden details and historical tidbits that we would have surely missed on our own. If you’re looking to explore Rioja beyond the usual tourist paths and truly understand the culture and sophistication of its wines, this tour is a must. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves wine.
Hello Jay , we greatly appreciate your wonderful review! It’s fantastic to know you enjoyed our Rioja Boutique wine tour and found our guide Telmo to be passionate and authentic. Your total satisfaction is our priority. Warm regards, Jon Gurrea & the Earra Tours Team
This is my second tour with Jon in 7 months. And let me just say he continues to be the best! Jon and Telmo not only have the knowledge but the pride of being Basque that shows in their tour! They both were extremely knowledgeable not only about the wine but the history of the region. My dad and I had the best time with them. And the wine selection was absolutely amazing! I would 10/10 recommend a tour with Earra! I cannot wait to come back and do another!
Dear Kristen, I love you both. It was an amazing pleasure to meet your dad Bob and see you again. Great to see you having a great time in Rioja tasting some of the best wines and enjoying every moment. Thank you for coming back to us and for those amazing words, and I hope to see you again. Take care! EARRA! Jon Gurrea & Earra Tours Team
From the moment Jon from Earra Tours picked us up in San Sebastian, we knew we were in great hands. He was personable, funny, knowledgeable, and we immediately felt as if we were touring with a good friend. Jon was able to swap out one of his usual spots for a visit to the Muga winery, a personal curiosity for us, as we love some of their wines. Every stop was a learning experience and a feast for the senses. Highly recommended for those interested in Rioja, wine making, history, and a fun time.
Dear Adriana & Carlos, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear about your positive experience with Jon from Earra Tours. It's fantastic to know that Jon's warm and personable demeanor made you feel comfortable right from the start. We believe that a friendly and knowledgeable guide can truly enhance the overall experience, and it sounds like Jon exceeded your expectations. We're delighted that Jon was able to tailor the tour to your preferences, making a special stop at the Muga winery. It's always our goal to ensure our guests have a personalized and memorable journey, and we're glad we could accommodate your curiosity and love for their wines. Your description of every stop being a learning experience and a feast for the senses warms our hearts. We take pride in offering not just a tour, but an immersive and enriching adventure, blending wine, history, and fun. We truly appreciate your recommendation for those interested in Rioja, wine making, history, and a good time. It means a lot to us that you took the time to share your positive experience. If you ever decide to explore again, we would be more than happy to welcome you back for another unforgettable journey. Cheers to great memories and delightful experiences! Warm regards, Earra Tours Team
Jon our tour guide was knowledgeable and all-around earra (awesome)!!! He took us to three very different wineries, which gave us a great feel for the region. We took home tons of wine to share with friends and family back home. Also, the restaurant Jon took us to for lunch was absolutely delicious. Great tour for anyone looking to expand their regional knowledge and taste some great Rioja wines.
Dear Clara, thank you for such a great review. It was a great pleasure to have you visiting our Region and we love you enjoyed in Rioja, one of our best seller tour. Hope to see you next time to discover more places together. Take care meanwhile, Jon Gurrea & Earra Tours Team
Jon goes above and beyond to make sure that you are happy with your La Rioja wine tasting experience. We corresponded through many emails in the months before going through every detail from what kind of wine I like to any add ons to the experience like food or what types of stops you would want to see. I was truly impressed with how much care he took. You really just need to tell him what you want and he will design the perfect day in La Rioja for you. Also a big bonus is that he likes to take photos and is very good at it. We also attended his pintxos tour which was such a blast. I definitely recommend using Earras tours for any tours they offer.
Wow Tasia! Thank you for your amazing words! I really enjoyed preparing this tour for Alejandro and you. As you can see everything is possible in Rioja and there is so much to do. Hope to have you again discovering another layer of this amazing country. Best regards, Jon Gurrea & Earra Tours Team
