Rioja, Through Its Wineries

From San Sebastián, you cross green valleys to reach La Rioja, a landscape shaped by centuries of cultivation, where wine has long structured daily life, trade and identity. You visit two boutique wineries selected by your host for their close ties to the land, commitment to quality, and how they still work at a human scale — places better known to locals than to tour groups. Here, winemaking remains rooted in craft and continuity rather than scale. You’ll explore the production process from vineyard conditions and climate to fermentation and aging in oak barrels. Tastings at both wineries highlight different expressions of Rioja, revealing how grape varieties, soils, and methods shape the wines. The day ends in a medieval town, where stone streets and defensive walls speak to Rioja’s long wine history. Here, you’ll enjoy a three-course lunch in a family-run restaurant, paired with local wines and regional dishes such as chorizo and lamb chops grilled over vine shoots.

La Rioja is one of the world’s most renowned wine regions, shaped by a rare combination of geography, tradition, and innovation for centuries. This experience focuses on that continuity, centering on small, family-run producers where quality and connection matter. Ania curates the day around truly boutique wineries, prioritizing estates where meaningful interaction is still possible. While fully private winery visits in La Rioja are rare — especially at high-quality working estates — this experience remains intimate and the visits are thoughtfully chosen. Other visitors may be present, particularly during busy seasons, but the experience is deliberately small-scale and carefully paced. Ania or a trusted colleague remains with you throughout, providing context, guiding conversation, and tailoring the visit to your interests. You might walk through vineyards with roots in medieval cultivation, learning how terrain, soil, and climate have shaped Rioja’s wines over centuries.

Ania is a passionate experience maker who has lived across Europe and the Americas and has called San Sebastián home for over a decade. She works with a small, trusted team of local guides and food and drink experts who craft exceptional experiences rooted in the region’s gastronomy, nature, and Basque culture. Your host for the day will be confirmed by Ania ahead of your experience.

The weather in this part of the world can be temperamental, so keep an eye on the weather forecast, and dress accordingly, ** Please be aware that this tour is not suitable for vegans. Vegetarians should inform the host ahead of time.