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.

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.

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.

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.