With over 500 wineries enclosed in its small territory, Rioja is, without a doubt, one of Spain’s most famous wine regions. Located in the central north of the country, beneath the Basque Country, Rioja’s territory offers plenty of activities for wine lovers, from unique wine tastings and winery visits to unforgettable experiences like flying over its colorful landscapes on a hot air balloon or strolling around vineyards on horseback.

A visit to Rioja wouldn’t be complete without a tasting of the iconic Rioja wine. In fact, wines from Rioja were Spain’s first to be recognized as a Designation of Origin in 1925, and since 1991 Rioja is one of the only two Denominación de Origen Calificada (Qualified Denomination of Origin) in the country. Rioja in turn is divided into 3 subregions: Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Alta, and Rioja Oriental. Moreover, based on its aging Rioja wine can be dived into 4 categories: generic, Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva, the most prestigious.

While the region is most known for its fine wines, wine tastings and winery visits in Rioja should not be the only activities on your itinerary. When visiting Rioja, make sure to indulge in the local cuisine as well, boasting dishes like patatas a la Riojana (potatoes cooked with chorizo and paprika), Caparrones (red beans usually stewed with chorizo or other sorts of meat), bacalao a la Riojana (codfish cooked in a clay pot with tomatoes and peppers), and lamb chops grilled on vine shoots.

During your visits to Rioja’s wineries, you will have the opportunity to taste a variety of high-quality red wines, but also some great whites and rosés. Since 2008, additional grape varieties were included in the Denomination to increase production diversity and make Rioja white wines more competitive. Currently, the black grape varieties used to produce red Rioja wines include Tempranillo, Garnacha Tinta, Graciano, Mazuelo, and Maturana Tinta. The white grape types included in the designation are instead Viura, Malvasía, Garnacha Blanca, Tempranillo Blanco, Maturana Blanca, Turruntés, Verdejo, and the international Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

The best moments of the year to plan your wine tastings and winery visits in Rioja are either late spring when the temperatures are most pleasant, or early autumn. Every year, during the third week of September, Rioja’s Wine Harvest Festival in Logroño. Nonetheless, the beautiful Rioja territory offers plenty of activities to enjoy year-round.

Over 80 of the hundreds of wineries found in Rioja are ready to welcome you for a special wine tasting experience. While in Rioja, make sure to visit other highlights of the area, such as the Vivanco Museum of Wine Culture of Briones, the city of Logroño, through which passes the famous Pilgrim’s Route to Santiago de Compostela, the Natural Parc of Sierra Cebollera, or the fascinating Monasteries of San Millán Yuso and Suso, both registered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The average price of a wine tasting with winery visit in Rioja is around €38.50. Depending on the experience, prices range from €25 to €52. Booking in advance ensures availability and the best prices.

Here are the top wineries to visit in Rioja:

• Bodegas Juan Carlos Sancha
• Bodegas1808 - Casa Garabitero
• Bodegas Casa Primicia
• Arizcuren Bodega y Viñedos
• Finca de los Arandinos Bodega | Hotel
• TIHOM
• Bodegas Bohedal
• SANTALBA

Here are the best wine tastings to book in Rioja:

• Guided Winery Tour, Wine Tasting & Tapas Pairing at Bodegas Tihom
• Centenary Wild Vineyard Visit & Organic Wine Tasting at Bodegas Juan Carlos Sancha in Rioja
• Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting at Bodegas Juan Carlos Sancha in the Rioja DOC
• Exploring the Art of Blending in Rioja Alta: Barrel Tasting at Bodegas Bohedal
• Family Winery Visit with Wine Tasting and Tapas at Bodegas Santalba in Rioja Alta
• Single Vineyard Tasting at Bodega Gil Berzal – Cata Recoveco in Rioja Alavesa
• Gil Berzal Tasting Experience in Laguardia, Rioja Alavesa
• Enjoy the medieval caves of Laguardia at your leisure with a glass of signature wine