This was the greatest day of our entire trip. Our guide Iñigo felt more like a family member. From the hotel pickup, the winery visits, lunch, and the drive back, the entire experience far exceeded our expectations. He was incredibly knowledgeable and had a wonderful ability to balance sharing his knowledge with giving us time to explore and enjoy things for ourselves. He tailored the day to our interests and preferences, adjusting the experience as he got to know us. The wineries and tastings were intimate, personal, and never rushed. Lunch was authentic and spectacular. We loved how the pace of the entire day was tailored to fit our interests including our visit to the medieval town. Also have to mention communication during the booking process was excellent. Highly recommend this tour. Hope you get Iñigo.
Private Day in Rioja from San Sebastian
+6 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 9 hours
- Price from
- $588 / person
- Location
- San Sebastian, Spain
- Rating
- 5.0 / 5 · 89 reviews
- Languages
- EN, ES
- Group
- Private
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation
- Hotel pickup
- Available
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Ikusnahi Tours
Description
Enjoy a relaxed private day in Rioja designed to help you truly understand the region, from funky modern wineries to classic styles and long-established traditions. With 3 wineries: one guided winery visit and two guided tastings, this experience offers time to learn, taste, and ask questions at an easy pace. Along the way, your local guide shares the stories behind Rioja’s history, labels, styles, and how the region is changing today—without lectures or jargon. The approach is personal and informal, the wines are carefully chosen, and the focus is on clarity, enjoyment, and quality. You’ll leave not only having tasted great wines, but with a clear sense of what Rioja is, where it comes from, and where it’s heading.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Briones
We begin the day in Briones, a beautiful medieval town perched on a hilltop above the vineyards. Walking through its quiet streets and stopping at the Rioja lookout, we take in the landscape and talk about what makes this region so special: the surrounding mountains, the wide valley below, and the key role of the Ebro River in shaping Rioja’s climate and wines. It’s the perfect place to understand the big picture before heading into the cellars. Walking visit · No tasting.
Our next stop is Cenicero, where we visit a small, unique modern wine project housed inside a 15th-century winery. Here, you’ll explore an underground cellar and learn about the long history of winemaking in Rioja, while also discovering how the region is evolving today. The wines are natural and expressive, made from vineyards with vines over 100 years old, followed by a guided tasting that connects past and present in the glass. Guided winery visit and tasting included.
Villabuena de Alava
Around Villabuena de Álava, we visit a family-owned winery where wine is still very much a hands-on, personal craft. During a guided tasting, you’ll learn how to read Rioja labels, understand classifications, and recognize different styles, all while tasting wines that reflect both tradition and everyday life in Rioja. Guided winery tasting included.
Barrio de la Estacion de Haro
We then head to Haro’s famous Barrio de la Estación to visit a classic winery founded at the end of the 19th century. This is where you taste traditional Rioja aged in American oak barrels and learn why this style became so influential, both in Spain and internationally. It’s a key chapter in understanding what “classic Rioja” really means. Guided winery tasting included.
Labastida
We finish the day in Labastida with a relaxed traditional lunch at a small, family-loved restaurant run by two sisters and popular with locals and wine makers from the surrounding villages. The menu focuses on classic Rioja dishes made with local produce, paired with village wines. It’s an easy, authentic ending to a day of learning, tasting, and conversation.
What's included
Included
Premium transportation for the day
One guided winery visit and Two guided wine tastings at carefully selected wineries
Traditional lunch with local wines included
Door-to-door pickup and drop-off from San Sebastián
All tasting fees included (no hidden costs)
Private experience with an expert local wine guide
Visit to the medieval town of Briones
Not included
Meals, drinks and tickets that are not listed above
Gratuities
Pickup Locations & Times
Pick up from different locations is possible for an extra charge
Traveller Ratings
5.0
89 reviews
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Private Day in Rioja from San Sebastian take?
Private Day in Rioja from San Sebastian lasts about 9 hours. The itinerary has 5 stops.
How much does Private Day in Rioja from San Sebastian cost?
Prices start at $588 per person for this San Sebastian experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel Private Day in Rioja from San Sebastian for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. Pick up from different locations is possible for an extra charge Pickup points include Letoh Letoh San Sebastian, Okako Hotel.
What languages is Private Day in Rioja from San Sebastian offered in?
The experience is available in EN, ES.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 8 travellers can book together.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Specialized infant seats are available
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(89)
D
Best Day of Our Entire Trip!
J
Great Tour, Great guide, Great Wine
Luis was a wonderful guide, sharing a lot of rich history about the region, the geography, and basque winemaking. The wineries we toured had excellent wine that we really wouldn’t have been able to experience and enjoy without going in and doing the tour.
Y
A great day, start to finish!
We did a customized tour for our family of 11 to visit a few Rioja wineries and see some unique architecture in the area. Our guide, Malena, and driver picked us up promptly, and Malena used the drive time to give us an interesting history of the Basque region and culture. She is incredibly knowledgeable and engaging. The visits and lunch they arranged were excellent, and she was so patient an accomodating with our interests. We had three young boys along for the trip, and Malena made sure they were comfortable and entertained during the tastings. The entire experience, from communications during the booking months ago, through some modifications due to our schedule, and even some restaurant recommendations for the remainder of our trip, was all handled professionally. I would highly recommend using this group for anything in the region.
Operator response
Thank you so much for this fantastic review. Planning a customised day for a large family is always a fun challenge, so we're delighted to hear that everything came together so smoothly and that everyone, from the adults to the youngest travellers, had such a great time. Malena will be especially happy to know that her passion for the Basque Country, together with her patience and flexibility, helped make the day memorable for your whole family. We also appreciate you mentioning the planning process beforehand, as we believe a great experience starts long before the tour itself. Thank you for placing your trust in us during your time here. We hope your family returned home with wonderful memories of Rioja, its wines, its architecture and the special moments you shared together.
F
Wonderful Experience
Start to finish - amazing experience. Lucia was so helpful with curating the perfect experiences by email, very patient and very helpful, even before we booked the tours. Great communication leading up to the tour as well. And finally our guide Luis was fantastic and would for sure recommend him for any group. We did both a San Sebastián old town pintxos walking tour and then also a day driving to Rioja to tour some wine houses and a bit of shopping. Luis was super friendly, relaxed, knowledgeable, kept us feeling safe, and just a cool guy to be around.
5
An unforgettable day in the Basque Country & Rioja
Best day of our trip — book Ikusnahi Tours My wife and I did the Rioja region tour with Ernes and it was the highlight of our time in the Basque Country. Wineries, olive oil tastings, beautiful landscapes and real local insight into the food and wine culture — all in one day. Ernes is a fantastic guide. Knowledgeable, warm and genuinely passionate about sharing his region. Not a single dull moment. Worth every penny. Highly recommend.
S
Great Day in Rioja!
We had a wonderful visit to Rioja with Malena! All of the wineries were outstanding, but also so different to give you a range of styles. The lunch was amazing - the food was delicious and Malena handled everything for us. It was a good mix of history/wine details and also just a fun conversation. Would highly recommend!
Operator response
One of the joys of Rioja is discovering that no two wineries are ever quite the same. Each has its own story, style and personality, and we're so glad you enjoyed experiencing that variety throughout the day. It also sounds like you found the perfect balance between learning about the region and simply relaxing over great wine, food and conversation. Thank you for your recommendation and for choosing to explore Rioja with Malena. We hope it's a day you'll look back on every time you open a bottle of Rioja!
C
Perfect day trip, Luis was an amazing host for our wine adventure.
Luis picked us up in a brand new comfortable van and each winery was unique and timed perfectly. Pouring rain in San Sebastian but sunny and beautiful in the wine country!
Operator response
Thank you so much for sharing this, Carl. We’re really happy you had such a smooth and enjoyable day with Luis, and that the Rioja part treated you to such great weather. Really appreciate your kind words.
T
A day in Rioja
Martin took us to a few smaller wineries where the wine makers went to the beat of their own drum. Truly special locations and amazing wines. Martin was an amazing host sharing his extensive knowledge of the basque region. We couldn't have asked for a better day.
Operator response
What a lovely way to describe Rioja, Todd :) Those small independent wineries are exactly the soul of the region, people following their own path, making wines with character and a lot of heart. Martin will be very happy to hear you connected with both the wines and the stories behind them. We’re proud to share these lesser known corners of Rioja and the Basque Country with travelers who appreciate the real thing. Hope to see you back someday for another long lunch and a few more unforgettable glasses of wine!
2
Private natural wines focused tour
Great organization with attention to detail and finding the right mix of activities to suit my needs. I am a sommelier from Italy and wanted to explore off the path wineries and learn about Rioja, while also accommodating a view of the region and food experiences. The team managed to create the perfect mix, they were friendly and super knowledgeable, overall a memorable experience 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Operator response
What a pleasure to read this. It’s really special for us to receive a sommelier and be part of your journey discovering Rioja in your own way. We’re very happy the mix of wineries, views and food experiences worked so well for you. Thanks a lot for your kind words.
H
Absolutely the best wine tour - A Must-Do in Basque Country!
If I could give this tour 10 stars, I would! We booked very last-minute, and Ernes at Ikusnahi Tours went above and beyond to make it happen for us. Our guide, Martin, was fantastic—friendly, passionate, and incredibly knowledgeable. He took us safely through the Rioja region while sharing fascinating insights about Basque culture and history. We left with a much deeper appreciation for the area. Each winery was unique and beautiful, with delicious wines, light snacks, and water provided (a must when starting early!). The hosts were informative and welcoming, and we learned a lot about winemaking and aging techniques. Lunch at a local restaurant was a highlight—honestly the best meal we’ve had in Basque Country, and we’ve eaten a lot of pintxos! The food, wine, and dessert were all incredible. From start to finish, this was hands down the best tour we’ve been on. If you're looking for amazing wine, authentic food, and a local, knowledgeable guide—book this tour. Eskerrik asko, Ernes & Martin!!
Operator response
Wow… reviews like this really make our day :) We’re so happy we could make the last minute planning work and that Martin gave you such a memorable introduction to Rioja, Basque culture and all the stories behind the wines and landscapes. This is exactly the experience we hope to create, relaxed, authentic, full of great conversations, beautiful wineries and long meals that people still remember afterwards. Ernes and Martin will both be smiling reading this. Eskerrik asko for traveling with us and for appreciating this special corner of the world with so much enthusiasm!
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from$588
5.0(89) Free cancellation