Just got back from a trip to Spain and no doubt our day of wine tasting with Jenny / Taste Rioja…read morewas a highlight. This is NOT a tour bus experience. Jenny keeps groups small so you can get the most out of your day. Our first of three wineries on the Architecture & Wine tour was Campo Viejo, a large producer who ships worldwide (found them in my local supermarket once home). The tour was very educational, in a beautiful location, and a great start to the day. Next was Bai Gorri, the place of the "glass cube." Because Jenny worked there before starting her business, we met the winemaker and she was able to give us the full tour, which concluded with a fantastic 5 course lunch, and of course 5 wines. Shared liberally. Our last stop was Marques de Riscal which boasts a recently added Gehry-designed hotel along with wine caves a few hundred years old. This was the only "big tour" on the list but Jenny was able to add valuable information along the way. Now for Jenny - what a fun, vibrant, and knowledgeable guide. Felt like we were with an old friend from the start of the day. And before we left her, Jenny shared more on other wineries to visit throughout La Rioja area and even a few tasting rooms in Haro, which is something you often hear you can't find in this region of Spain. Booking was a breeze, her team is quick to respond to all questions by email or phone. Really enjoyable and highly recommend for your trip to the region!

I've been on many wine tours in my time - Napa, Tuscany, Bordeaux, etc. - and I must say, this tour…read morewas truly something special. Inma, our guide for the day, was the best tour guide I've ever had; yes, THE BEST. She's truly an expert when it comes to Rioja - we found she often knew more than the wineries' own tour guides! And, importantly, she caters the experience to each client (and I should mention she speaks absolutely perfect English). Sure, she'll take you to the bigger, more commercial wineries like Marques de Riscal & Bodegas Ysios, which are both visually stunning and worth going to - but, because she takes the time to learn your tastes she'll introduce you to wineries right up your alley that you'd never otherwise know about, many of which aren't open to the public. And thanks to her local roots & connections, the vintners quite literally give her the keys to their private operations (Gontes comes to mind). Inma caps the day with a delicious late lunch in a private wine cave at Castillo de San Vicente - again, not something you can just go and do; only the locals have access. The cherry on top: her tortilla de patatas is absolutely delicious. All in all, one of the best single days I've had on vacation my entire life. A fantastic experience that I'd recommend to absolutely anyone.

Incredible Rioja Wine Experience with Inma-…read more My boyfriend and I did the Unusual Suspects private tour with Inma. This experience was the highlight of our trip to Spain and a huge part of that was Inma. She taught us about Rioja wine and the region without overloading us with information, made us feel so comfortable, and the experiences at the incredible wineries were due to her relationships with each of the owners, which is a testament to her as a person. We visited three different wineries and had the best lunch that Inma prepared herself with fresh ingredients from our own garden. My boyfriend still talks about her Tortilla de Patatas. We had an additional day in Logrono before heading to San Sebastian and Inma sent us a detailed list of recommendations and even helped us book a bus to San Sebastian, which was a much better option than the train we had booked. I cannot praise Inma and this experience enough.

Small operation with no tasting fee. No tour fee. Really helpful people who worked with us on our…read moreschedule. Idoia was our tour guide and tasting manager. One of the best tours in three weeks of touring la Rioja. Spectacular wines. Nearly the best we tasted among the 30 wineries we visited. They age their wines longer than the required for the la Rioja DOC designation. It results in very special wines at a great price point. Examine the photos for the story of this 90 minute visit. Included is a way you can acquire these wines in the USA.

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.

The Village of Elciego (6 km SE of Laguardia) is the home of the historic Marqués de Riscal Winery…read moreComplex (AKA La Ciudad Del Vino) and founded way back in 1858. Gayle and I took the Tour and for 10 Euros each, it was worth every Peseta. This is a first class operation all the way, starting with the Frank Gehry (of Bilbao Guggenheim Museum fame) designed visitor complex, proceeding onto various Winery operations, finishing up with a few tasting room pours, and not "letting" us leave until I found a cool item at the Gift Shop. This Winery Tour was one of the overall highlights of our Spain trip, and we only wish that we had more time to explore the Rioja Area and certain other places (like Ysios). The Frank Gehry design is an amazing sight and somehow all those modern titanium ribbons blend in well with the rest of the stone-aspects of Marqués de Riscal Winery Complex and the surrounding Village of Elciego. The silver, gold, and "dusty rose" sheets are Gehry's response to the unbroken landscape of vineyards and the associated rich tones. There is also a Luxury Hotel and Spa within the Complex. One part of the tour featured the Reserve wines that have been laid down for years. Our guide (we took the Spanish language tour) pointed out that the Winery honoured Frank Gehry by pouring a bottle of wine that was bottled the year he was born (1929) and showed us the old direct flame way the wine bottles used to be opened. This illustrates the fact that the Winery may be modern, but at the same time remains faithful to the Bodega's "old fashioned" rigorous tradition of quality. and of course those who wish to aspire to a sophisticated nose and refined palette.

Marques de Riscal is a large production winery that makes delicious wines in the Rioja region. What…read moremakes Marques de Riscal a winery worth checking out is that it is one of the oldest Rioja wineries, also you get a close up view of the cool hotel designed by Frank Gehry. Marques de Riscal does offer English tours, but definitely do your research beforehand and book the tour online, because there may only be one per day. During the tour, we got to taste tempranillo grapes as we watch the grapes get sorted, and crushed by the grape crushing machine. Our guide was very informative and there was moderate walking to be done since the Marques de Riscal site is huge. At the end of the tour, we tasted two wines, a verdejo and the crianza. These are everyday, easy drinking wines to enjoy and are well made. They also put out delicious, sliced sausage, chorizo and breadsticks you can help yourself to, which was great as we missed breakfast and were really hungry. Marques de Riscal takes security very seriously, they give you a badge when you arrive and you have to follow the guide at all times during the tour. When you do finally leave, someone needs to buzz you out of the facility. Marques de Riscal feels commercialized but their wines are undeniably good. There are also more impressive, limited production wines that they make as well so this is really a good place for wine lovers of all levels to check out.

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.

Enjoyable tour of a large production winery. The barrel room and bottle room are absolutely huge…read more The winery sits in middle of the grape vines and they offer a great place to sit outside to enjoy a small bite and a glass of wine. I took the English tour. The tour guide was super friendly and very knowledgeable. The winery is one of the most sustainable wineries in Spain, possibly at top the the list. I highly recommend a visit when in the Logroño area.

What a place and what an experience at Campo Viejo. The number one thing was service service…read moreservice. We basically closed down the winery that afternoon and we left because we wanted to, because they would have continued to serve us, that's how great the staff was. Now let's talk wine, I love wine but don't knwo much about specific wines, however I didn't need to know the staff was knowledgeable for both of us. The tour was great and the tasting even better. They were not shy with the portions. The tasting also includes some snacks, they do not serve food so make sure you are not expecting to eat there. The views were phenomenal. We didn't get to do a walk of the vines because of the heat. Would have been added bonus to so that, nonetheless they allowed us to get near and see them and take photos which was perfect for us. Overall a great experience!!! Would go back when visiting that area or Spain. Will be buying the one state side as well!!!

In April of 2018 a friend recommended to contact Celia. We visited wiith a couple of friends and…read morewe loved her! All the plans that she suggested were incredible, including unique wineries that we would have never visited otherwise. We had an amazing experience, thanks to her. Highly recommendable!

From the owner: First we were globe trotters, now we are hosts. And we feel lucky showing you our homeland, Rioja…read more Over 15 years of experience on the tourism and wine industry to understand that the perfect tour it is the one made right for you. We know the history, the wine producers, the secrets, only as locals can do. Let us become, not your guide, but better your host, taking you to YOUR Rioja experience.

The winery began in the second half of the 19th century. At the present time, it is still a family…read morewinery in Rioja Alavesa, owned by Juan Pablo De Simón and Milans del Bosch, great-grandson of the founder of the winery. Now, the 5th generation: Pablo, Jaime and María de Simón are assuming the different responsibilities in the company. Our visit was coordinated by email and hosted by the family member, María de Simón Baranda. Maria explained the family history and the decision to bottle their wine under the name of Valserrano. They also have one wine that is labelled El Ribazo which is from a single 35 year old vineyard. We tasted two whites: 2017 Blanco, 2013 Blanco Gran Reserva. Not being white wine fans, we did find the Gran Reserva most pleasant and would recommend it to white wine people. In the reds, beside the El Ribazo, we tasted 2014 Valserrano Finca Monteviejo which is another single vineyard wine from 60 year old vines. Next to those two reds, we tasted their 2011 Gran Reserva, 2015 Graziano and 2016 Mazuela. We found the Mazuela super-dry. The overall winner on this tasting was the 2011 Gran Reserva. Produced from 90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano from their best and oldest vineyards. After fermenting at a low temperature to preserve the fruit aromas, it has spent 2 and a half years in American (40%) and French (60%) oak casks and over 3 further years maturing in the bottle cellar. It is a spectacular wine and a great representation of Tempranillo from La Rioja. Once at home, we found it for $35 at Total Wine along with its younger brothers Reserva and Crianza which we did not taste during our visit. We believe from the experience we had, the Crianza and Reserva at much lower prices would be value purchases.

This was so amazing!!! This was my first stop in the Rioja region and a great way to start my…read moreoverall experience. The authenticity of this winery and their love for wine makes the experience. As someone who lives close to Napa and have gone to many wine regions, I love the intimacy, passion and dedication to keeping truth to wine making here at this winery. Had a wonderful one on one tour and tasting. I personally am coming home with 6 bottles all of which are not sold at the states. They partner with Total Wine (who I currently work for) and now I understand why! Pablo de Simón, a son of the owner, made this experience outstanding for me. The whole team welcomed me and were so proud to share their story, HIGHLY recommend!!!

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.