Bodega Berroja is a beautiful property that begs to be visited. The grand vistas are stunning,…read moreespecially on a rare clear day. We were fortunate to have coordinated our visit with Natalia and her tour of the vineyards, processing area and the tasting room was memorable. It was a perfect start to a day of exploring the countryside of Biscaya, including Gernika. The photos tell the story better than any words I can use. Txakoli primarily comes from three territories of the Basque region: Gipuzkoa, Biscaya and Alava. There are DO certifications in each of these areas which regulate the style and quality of the wines. Production from the 3 regions is under 2 million bottles. It is a white wine of great popularity for eating pintxos as it has a high acidity which cuts thru the fatty foods and oils used in that cuisine. Of particular note are the Txakoli wines from Getaria DOC in Gipuzkoa, which are poured about a foot above the glass allowing them to effervesce (bubble) in the glass and give off a wonderful fresh leafy perfume nose. 90+% of the wines are white. The white variety uses the grape Hondarribi Zuria, the red grape is Hondarribi Beltza. Do yourself a huge favor and visit Bodega Berroja. Slow down and appreciate the effort that has been used to make this beautiful facility and equally beautiful wines.

This winery was one of the best and definitely in the top 3 vineyards that I visited in the area…read more Tasting room nicely decorated with great selection of wines to take home with you. The hosts there were knowledgeable in their wines and professional. Highly recommend a visit here.

Visited Bodegas Muga with some friends from Barcelona, and had a great tour…read more Our tour guide, Sasha was very good, and for an English tour, she did amazing. During the tour, we got to see an active, working winery... From the fermentation to aging to bottling, which they were doing as we visited. We also got to see the wine cemetery and the barrel cooperage areas. The end of tasting was well balanced with a white, young red and a Crianza. We also, tried a Grand Reserva Vino Tinto afterwards in the tasting room. Well worth the $ for the tour, plan on 2-2 1/2 hours.

When the national drink of the Basque Country, Txakolí (chalk-oh-lee), is served, one and all pause…read moreto admire the performance. The seemingly flat sparkling white wine explodes with carbonation when decanted, using an enthusiastic overhand technique. Leave the champagne flutes and coupes on the bar as this rustic, straw-colored beverage refuses anything but an oversized tumbler. Txomin Etxaniz Winery's version excels at cleansing the palate between bites of flash-fried or salty foods.

If you're in San Sebastian and have a car, I recommend stopping by Txomin Extaniz…read more Once you arrive, you might be greeted by one of the owner's sons Mikel who is charged with many duties, among them giving the English speakers a tour of the winery and also a tasting of housemade anchovies, bread, Txakoli and rose. I much preferred the Txakoli as it was more fragrant and went home with two bottles. Note: You need to make an appointment before you visit. Also, if you're like me you will get lost so pay attention to the signs while you're driving. The winery is located down a steep hill with captivating views of the sea.

Beautiful winery! If you don't have time for a full tour, make a reservation for the wine bar and…read morehave a flight. Be sure to enjoy the courtyard!

An upscale winery in Haro. Very polished and refined approach. Several red and white wines…read moreavailable for machine pour in sample or glass size. Buy a card from desk and help yourself. Staff can also answer questions. Prices were very reasonable. We purchased a bottle of Vendejo. I believe there are tours available but we did not take one.

This winery has a really nice setting. A very stylish, modern tasting room and a very nice area to…read moresit outside, with a very relaxing feel to it. Since we were travelling with our Bulldog we took a seat outside and got some wine (with free nibbles). The wine was fine, got the typical Rioja flavour. But - compared to some other Bodegas we've visited - lacked a special something. Did not wow us enough. Prise-wise their wines are a good deal, but then there's so much competition around here. And considering that we just found the wine too average and quite light on the palate without any long-lasting flavours. But the setting is really nice, staff helpful and friendly. Still a fine Bodega to take a seat outside and enjoy a glass or two.

OK folks, this is simply the best wine made in Haro. Why? They have been doing it longer than…read moremost, doing it as a family, doing it with much longer aging in the oak barrels than any other winery in Haro and it results in fabulous wines. This family-owned winery makes highly individual wines in a style essentially unchanged since its inception in 1877. They grow all their grapes using organic methods, ferment using only natural yeasts and do not filter their wines. They employ four full-time coopers to make their barrels. Gravonia, Tondonia, Bosconia and Cubillo are all individual vineyards which have been in the family for generations. Patience is a family watchword, as this bodega thinks nothing of waiting twenty years before releasing a wine. Their "Crianzas" are aged like others' "Reservas"; the "Reservas" as long as others' "Gran Reservas"...and the ultimate accolade of "Gran Reserva" is accorded to only the very greatest vintages. Rarely are there more than three of these in a decade We did not tour here because we were blitzing through all the Haro wineries in one day. Take the tour because they have their own barrel-making operation. The only winery in La Rioja who does that. We spent 3 weeks in La Rioja tasting at 30 wineries and this is either #2 or #3 out of all of them. The price point in country is higher than most and for a damn good reason. They make spectacular wine. Do not waste your palate or your time/money with other wineries in Haro that cater to the blue-haired bus tour groups. This is wine heaven. It can be found in the US at specialty shops at a price level above $40 for the Crianza and above $50 for the reservas.

From the owner: El TXOTX es un fenómeno de la cultura gastronómica de nuestra Sagardoa(Sidra Natural Vasca), nace…read morede la cata que realizaban los clientes a la hora de comprar. Antiguamente las bodegas de producción no disponían de medios para poder conservar la Sagardoa durante todo el año en la kupela(barrica), por lo que el cliente entre finales de invierno y principios de primavera(periodo actual de TXOTX), debía hacer acopio de la Sagardoa embotellada para todo el año. Ante las diferencias de calidad que presentaban entre unas kupelas y otras, el comprador cataba el contenido de cada una buscando los mejores caldos, hasta cerrar el trato de compra de Sagardoa embotellada. La Sagardoa(Sidra Natural Vasca) es producto del año, de modo que la sagardoa que tomamos cada año de finales de Enero en adelante es una nueva bebida que acaba de nacer, con las características que le haya aportado el año climático a la manzana de la que proviene. Esto le da a nuestra bebida un encanto especial. Los meses de Febrero, Marzo y Abril, excepto sábados y festivos, Zapiain abre las puertas de su bodega a amigos, clientes y visitantes en general, de 8 de la tarde en adelante, para que en ambiente único puedan disfrutar bebiendo la nueva Sagardoa directamente servida de las kupelas por el propio bodeguero. Se cena de pie en la misma bodega, con los platos tradicionales que acompañan a la Sagardoa: tortilla de bacalao, bacalao frito, chuleta, queso y nueces. Se puede adquirir Sagardoa embotellada todo el año.