Rioja

Above all, the Rioja is beautiful. Perfectly preserved medieval villages, rolling hills covered in vines whose leaves paint them in jewel tones every fall, sprawling old wineries full of aged barrels next to psychedelic new complexes. You could come here just to look at it all, but thankfully the wine is as beautiful and diverse as the country itself.

Rioja feels a world apart from the nearby Basque Country. Towns and villages are dominated by ancient castles, churches and monasteries, but most of all wineries. Vineyards are everywhere. The bordering mountains protecting Rioja to the north and south make this region a wine sanctuary. Great wine is everywhere: in the pintxos bars of Haro and Logroño, at the traditional restaurants in Laguardia and Casalarreina, in the cavernous cellars of Michelin star restaurants. The food ranges from rustic to refined, but it’s always hearty.

Lingering over leisurely meals accompanied by the best wines of the region you will find yourself thinking that you have found the perfect food and wine escape.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN RIOJA

Riojan small towns and villages

What to expect

• Luxury hotels & restaurants

• Life-long cuisine

• Utterly quiet streets

Don’t miss

• Marqués de Riscal hotel designed by Frank Gehry

• Undiscovered little wineries tucked away

Logroño

What to expect

• Young chefs opening restaurants

• Pintxos bars forever

Don’t miss

• Calle Laurel

• Roots wine bar

Haro

What to expect

• Slow motion changes

• Old-school pintxos bars

Don’t miss

• The 5-star hotel with Michelin-star chefs manning the restaurant and wine bar

Laguardia

What to expect

• Charming medieval pedestrianized town

• Café time along the pedestrian streets

Don’t miss

• Views over the countryside

• The expansive underground cellars–the town is hollow underneath!