Private Day in Rioja from San Sebastian

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.

1. 1

   Briones

   30 min

   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.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   2 hours

   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.

3. 3

   Villabuena de Alava

   1 hour

   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.

4. 4

   Barrio de la Estacion de Haro

   30 min

   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.

5. 5

   Labastida

   2 hours

   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.

• 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

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.