If you’re planning on visiting the northern Spanish region of La Rioja, you probably have one thing on your radar…vino! There is arguably no other region as renowned for its wine culture as La Rioja with its red wine reputation spreading far and wide. It doesn’t take a wine expert to recognise the fabulous La Rioja wines. Many travel to the region just to savour the smooth reds that carry worldwide fame. And to say that the locals are proud of their wine heritage is a huge understatement. Every year, the charming town of Haro hosts a festival on the 29th of June to celebrate this beloved beverage. The day starts with a peaceful street parade and a special mass until the clock strikes lunchtime and celebrations descend into a crazy wine fiesta. The batalla de vino, the battle of wine, commences and everyone starts dousing each other in red wine! Watch as participants’ clothes turn red and a river of Rioja flows through Haro’s narrow avenues.
With that said, this diverse region offers so much more than just the pleasure of the grape. A trip here will see you enjoying lively cities, sleepy medieval towns, stunning nature and vast blue skies…not to mention the delicious regional pintxos. A majestic mountain backdrop will follow you on your cycling journey through this golden region. Pedal alongside history, stopping off at locations with fascinating architecture and old-world charm. We’ve put together a list of the best things to do in La Rioja so all you have to do is explore and drink a delicious glass of wine, or two!
Visit a Vineyard, Marqués de Riscal
Discover the conditions that make Rioja’s red wine so unbelievably irresistible. With an endless landscape of vineyards, it’s not hard to find a winery to explore. However, the Marques de Riscal vineyard undoubtedly tops them all with world-class wine varieties and a spectacle of modernist architecture designed by famous architect Frank Gehry. As one of the oldest wineries in La Rioja, Marqués de Riscal has spearheaded the winemaking business on a national and international scale, producing some of the most delectable wines in the world. On a visit here you can stroll through this beautiful bodega’s grounds and take a sip of its liquid gold.
