Gayle and I arrived in Laguardia mid-day one recent October Sunday. This is a charming "Village On…read moreThe Hill" deep in the Rioja Wine Country. We came here to walk around, have Lunch, and possibly tour one of the Bodegas that are contained underneath. Things didn't go entirely to plan as we got lost coming here and the Bodegas close early on Sunday. We were also happily delayed by our serendipitous discovery of Juanjo San Pedro's abstract, yet very inviting artwork. Plus it was a pleasure and a privilege to talk with this most kind and talented man himself. Juanjo San Pedro's work stands by itself and after the warm welcome and conversation, I was seriously rethinking the Family Art Budget. He has a separate book of his works, which unfortunately wasn't for sale with an associated purchase. I think he sensed our limitations all along, but was happy to engage (and compliment) Gayle's Spanish and chat about generational things that we all shared. He also showed us completely around his Studio and his various abstract paintings. We eventually left very impressed, and I'm pretty sure that his Studio isn't done with us yet.

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.

Came back to Bodegas Roda after a few years. Luckily we are able to get their wine at our home, but…read moreit was still fun to revisit the winery. Both the "Sela" and the "Roda Reserva" are really good wines at great value. But - if budget allows - you should try and get the "Roda I", very smooth, yet powerful wine. Fair priced. We always have a bottle or two on stock at home. The "Cirsion" - which is available by the glass here as well - is their biggest player. And it really is the best one. But breaks our budget by a bit. But the Roda I makes us happy as well. Staff here was as great as last time, friendly and helpful. Luckily we were able to bring the wine outside to the table, since we've had our Bulldog with. And there's another reason to come here. Their Olive Oil (they got two kinds) is divine. Especially the "Aubocassa". Hands down the best olive oil we've ever had. And we've had many.... So smooth and so so fruity. You could just drink it. But put on some bread or crackers with some sea salt....there's heaven. Bought 12 bottles this time. Well priced too. All in all a Bodega we really love. Great wine - the olive oil as well. Fair prices, great looking wine cellar, friendly staff. The whole package. We will be back.

We visited Haro for some wine tasting and stopped by this winery…read more We didn't have a tasting reservation but they were more than willing to accomodate us. The woman (I forgot her name) was extremely knowledgable about the wines. We tasted Roda and Roda I and she also let us taste the olive oil they sell. If you are looking for time to kill before your next tour stop in here. They have a contemporary design and are very hospitable.

By far the best wine we tasted in La Rioja. Many Yelp reviews start out the same way, but not from…read morea person who tasted wine at 23 Bodegas in the Rioja Alta and Alavesa DOC. Having now tasted wine at over 225 wineries around the world, I can say that the three red wines we tasted here are spectacular representations of Tempranillo. All were showing great fruit, perfumed nose and rich color. We tasted a beautiful white wine that Miguel makes in limited quantities and not every year. We tasted 3 reds: 2012 Reserva, 2012 Gran Reserva and the 2015 Vina Jovenes. The price range was between 10 - 14 Euros. Wines of this quality at these price points have made the region wildly popular, spoiled the Europeans and simultaneously frustrated the US market with the high cost of shipping/distribution and marketing. Our tasting was hosted by Miguel himself. His son Miguel, daughter-in-law, Erika joined in along with 8 friends who were from Spain. We were especially happy for Miguel and his new grandchild. If you have limited time in La Rioja, visit Miguel. Going anywhere else could be a huge disappointment and a large waste of your time. Contact him before your visit to make sure someone is there for your tasting. We found him very responsive on email. His Bodega is right outside the walls of the medieval village of Briones. We wished Miguel a long and happy life in his new role as grandfather. The USA source for Bodegas Miguel Merino is K&L Wine Merchants. They have various locations. The representative is Shaun Green in the Redwood City office.

We did the english tour of Cune, and it was amazing! Our…read moreguide was Ruy, and he was knowledgeable, friendly and made the tour even better. We got to see all aspects of the Cune wine making process, from fermentation to the bottles aging. We even got to go into the Cune "cemetery" bottle vault, where the 50+ year ole bottles are stored. We saw the 2004 Cune Imperial Grand Reserva, which was named the worlds best wine... After the tour we had a sample of a Reserva Vino Tinto and a Monopoli Blanco. After our tour and tasting, we hung out trying many other wines made by Cune. It was a great tour and afternoon of wine .

CVNE is a company that has multiple wineries in their group. In Haro, they provide a cross-section…read moreof their products to taste: Cune, Contina, Imperial and Viña Real wineries. We did not like the Cune Gran Reserva. We were impressed with the Imperial Gran Reserva, but after seeing the high price, we thought better to avoid it. We tasted Gran Reservas from Contina & Viña Real and thought the Viña Real had some good points.

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.

Absolutely love this winery right in the train station area. You have to try the Viña Araña Gran…read moreReserva 2015. What a beautiful wine! Lovely tasting room, too!

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.