The beautiful region of Rioja hosts some of the most renowned wineries globally. The best way to experience its offerings is by exploring the Best Villages & Wineries on the Unforgettable Rioja Wine Route.
Bodegas Ysios
Located in Laguardia, Bodegas Ysios is one of Rioja’s most iconic wineries. The striking modern building, designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, is a masterpiece that will leave you in awe. The winery is known for its excellent wines, especially its Reserva and Gran Reserva wines. During your next visit to Rioja, book a visit to the winery and learn about its history, taste different wines and savor the stunning majestic views of the Sierre de Cantabria mountains.
Bodegas Riojanas
Rioja wineries are famed for producing some of the best wines in the world. Bodegas Riojanas is no exception. Founded in 1890 by Rafael Carreras, the Spanish-based company has been in the wine business for over a century. Its located in Cenicero, Rioja, and is run by the Artacho family. Bodegas Riojanas’ high-quality wine blends several grapes, such as Tempranillo, Graciano, Verdejo, Mazuelo, Vidueno, Albarino, Macabeu, Godello, Mencia, and Malvasia. You can tour the wine estate and try out the Monte Real Gran Reserva or the Vina Albina Blanco, among other vintages from the master winemaker.
Bodegas Loli Casado
Bodegas Loli Casado is a more than a century-old family-owned winery. Founded by Eseubio, the winery is located in Rioja Alavesa near Logrono. You can book a visit to the wine estate up to an hour before and take a tour of its 20-hectare vineyards and the cellar, where the wines undergo aging in French and American oak barrels. The tour includes tasting the winery’s signature wines made from Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo, and Viura grapes, accompanied by local cheeses and charcuterie. For group visits, Bodegas Loli Casado is happy to receive up to 15 persons per group at a time, meaning you can tag friends and family along.
Bodegas Vina Ijalba
Found in the outskirts of Logrono in 1991, Bodegas Vina Ijalba is a contemporary winery focusing on sustainable and organic winemaking processes. It incorporates the use of renewable energies in its production processes, such as the use of solar panels and geothermal energy. Book at least two days before getting the most out of your visit to the winemaker. You can take a guided tour of its vineyards and the cellar, where the wines are aged. End your visit by sampling the winery’s organic wines, including the signature Maturana Tinta and the Graciano Blanco.
Bodegas Valdemar
Bodegas Valdemar is another must-visit winery in Rioja. It is a family-owned winery that blends traditional winemaking techniques with modern technology. Based in Oyon, the winery has been producing exceptional wine for over 130 years. You can book a visit at the wine company at least 2 days prior and tour its lush vineyards and the cellar, which houses over 6000 oak barrels. The tour can’t be complete without a taste of the winery’s flagship wines, such as the Conde Valdemar Gran Reserva and the Valdemar Inspiracion Rioja + EEUU.
Conclusion
Rioja is a wine lover’s paradise with many wineries. It can be hard to decide which one to visit. Whether you are a fan of modern architecture or traditional winemaking methods, there’s something for everyone in Rioja. Check out some of these top wineries on your next trip to Rioja.
