Rioja Wine Tours: Haro, Laguardia & Day Trips from Bilbao
Rioja wine tours: Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva explained, Haro's historic bodegas, Laguardia's cellars, day trips from Bilbao and San Sebastián, and how to book.
The short version: Rioja is Spain’s most famous red wine region, about 1h20 from Bilbao and 2 hours from San Sebastián. Tempranillo is the star, aged in oak and labelled Crianza, Reserva or Gran Reserva. The best wine tours combine the historic bodegas of Haro’s Station District, the medieval hilltop town of Laguardia with its underground cellars, and Logroño’s pintxos street, Calle Laurel. Here is what to taste and how to book.
At a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Where | Haro, Laguardia, Elciego, Logroño (Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa) |
| Grapes | Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano; white Viura |
| Labels | Crianza (2 years), Reserva (3 years), Gran Reserva (5 years) |
| From | Bilbao (about 1h20), San Sebastián (about 2 hours), Logroño (on the spot) |
| Format | Day trips with 2 or 3 bodegas, single bodega visits, pintxos evenings in Logroño |
Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva
Rioja reds are labelled by how long they age. Crianza spends at least two years ageing, one in oak; Reserva three years, one in oak; and Gran Reserva five years, at least two in oak. The result ranges from juicy and cherry-fresh to mellow, with vanilla, leather and dried fruit. Compare it with Spain’s other great Tempranillo in Rioja vs Ribera del Duero.
Haro, Laguardia and the architecture wineries
In Haro, the Barrio de la Estación is a cluster of historic bodegas built next to the railway in the 19th century. Laguardia, a walled medieval town in Rioja Alavesa, sits on top of hundreds of underground cellars. Nearby, Elciego’s Marqués de Riscal hotel by Frank Gehry and the wave-shaped Bodegas Ysios show Rioja’s modern side. End in Logroño on Calle Laurel, where every bar has its own pintxo; or continue to San Sebastián for pintxos.
Our pick: the Boutique Rioja Wine Tour with Lunch from Bilbao visits two family-run wineries, with a picnic lunch in the vineyards and a stop in medieval Laguardia.
Compare all the regions: the best wine tours in Spain.
Frequently asked questions
Can you do a Rioja wine tour from Bilbao?
Yes. Rioja is about 1h20 from Bilbao, and day trips usually combine Haro or Laguardia with two or three bodegas.
What is the difference between Crianza and Reserva?
Crianza ages at least two years (one in oak); Reserva at least three years (one in oak); Gran Reserva at least five years (two in oak).
Where should I stay for a Rioja wine tour?
Logroño for city life and pintxos, Haro for historic bodegas, or Laguardia for a medieval village among the vines.
Book a Rioja wine tour
Compare Rioja wine tours, or see Ribera del Duero wine tours.
