Embarking on a day journey to Rioja from Bilbao is an expertise that may linger in your recollections just like the most interesting wine. With an ideal mix of scenic drives, charming villages, and beautiful wine tastings, this tour by Local Experts Tours is a perfect approach to immerse your self within the wealthy tradition and flavors of Spain’s most celebrated wine area.
Explore Rioja in a Day with Local Experts Tours
Our journey started at simply previous 9 AM when Victoria, our pleasant information and driver picked us up from a central level in Bilbao simply steps away from our lodging. As we left the bustling metropolis behind, the landscapes regularly reworked into the rolling vineyards of La Rioja, portray a picturesque scene that hinted on the delights to return. Along the way in which, Victoria supplied fascinating insights into the historical past of Rioja, highlighting its significance as one among Spain’s premier wine areas.
Discovering Rioja Wine Region
Rioja, Spain’s premier wine area, is famend for its high-quality pink wines, predominantly comprised of Tempranillo grapes. The area is split into three sub-regions: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Oriental, every providing distinct traits influenced by their distinctive climates and terrains. This range is mirrored within the wines, making Rioja a paradise for wine lovers.
First Stop: Bodega Hermanos Peciña, a Medium-Sized Winery
After a two-hour drive we arrived at our first vacation spot, the Bodega Hermanos Peciña is an enthralling medium-sized vineyard nestled amidst lush vineyards. Here we have been greeted by Idoia who took us on an informative tour of the premises, studying in regards to the wine-making course of from vine to bottle. The spotlight, in fact, was the wine tasting session on the finish of our guided-tour the place we sampled 5 beautiful wines.
Bodega Hermanos Peciña is a distinguished family-owned vineyard situated within the coronary heart of Rioja Alta, a sub-region recognized for its high-quality wines and favorable rising situations. Founded in 1992 by Pedro Peciña Crespo and his three youngsters, the vineyard has grown from a small operation to a notable producer of a wide range of distinctive wines, producing roughly 300,000 bottles per yr.
What Makes Bodega Hermanos Peciña Special
Traditional Racking Method: One of the distinctive features of Bodega Hermanos Peciña is its dedication to conventional winemaking methods. They make the most of a way often called “trasiego,” or racking, which includes manually transferring the wine from barrel to barrel utilizing gravity. This technique, which is labor-intensive and time-consuming, helps keep the wine’s purity and enhances its getting old potential by naturally clarifying the wine and permitting mild oxygenation.
Diverse Wine Offerings: The vineyard produces a spread of wines, together with Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva. Each wine undergoes a meticulous getting old course of. For occasion:
- Crianza wines are aged for no less than two years in American oak barrels, with a minimal of 1 yr within the bottle, leading to vibrant and fruit-forward wines. The wines bear 4 transfers, from barrel to barrel.
- Reserva wines age for at least three years in American oak barrels, with no less than one and a half years in a bottle, providing a steadiness of fruit and oak with deeper, extra complicated flavors. These wines are transferred six instances.
- Gran Reserva wines, aged for no less than 4 years in American oak barrels, with three years in bottles, are wealthy, clean, and full-bodied, showcasing the vineyard’s dedication to high quality and custom. These wines are transferred a complete of eight instances.
Sustainability and Quality: The vineyard owns 50 hectares of vineyards, permitting for cautious choice and management over the grape high quality. This dedication to high quality is obvious of their wines, that are recognized for his or her lengthy getting old instances and distinctive flavors, far exceeding the minimal necessities set by the Rioja DOCa Wine Board.
En Route to Abalos
As we made our approach to the second vineyard, we stopped on the quaint village of Abalos. This charming locale is famend for its gorgeous medieval structure and serene ambiance. Strolling by way of its slender streets felt like stepping again in time, providing a peaceable respite amidst our wine-filled journey.
Second Stop: Bodegas Ostatu A Modern Small Winery
Our subsequent cease was a contemporary small vineyard that contrasted fantastically with the normal first one. At Bodegas Ostatu, we loved a tasting session of three modern wines paired with idiazabal cheese comprised of unpasteurized sheep milk, every reflecting a recent method to winemaking. Additionally, we had the pleasure of sampling their domestically produced olive oil, a pleasant complement to the wines.
What Makes Bodegas Ostatu Special
Historical Roots and Family Tradition: Bodegas Ostatu is a family-owned vineyard situated within the Rioja Alavesa area, within the village of Samaniego. The vineyard operates in an 18th-century constructing that was initially a rustic inn. The Sáenz de Samaniego household has been cultivating vineyards on this space for the reason that sixteenth century, emphasizing a deep connection to the land and custom.
Innovative Practices and Sustainability: Ostatu combines conventional winemaking strategies with trendy improvements. They apply natural farming and purpose for carbon-neutral operations. Their vineyards, managed by the household, are divided into micro plots that profit from the distinctive microclimate of the Sierra de Cantabria foothills, splendid for rising high-quality grape.
Exceptional Vineyard Management:
The vineyard owns 36 hectares of vineyards, primarily planted with Tempranillo but in addition that includes different varieties like Graciano, Mazuelo, Garnacha, Viura, and Malvasia. The vineyards are situated at elevations between 450-650 meters, benefiting from the convergence of Atlantic and Mediterranean climatic influences. This distinctive location and soil composition contribute to the complicated aromas and flavors of their wines.
Exploring Laguardia
Before heading again to Bilbao, we visited the enchanting city of Laguardia. This medieval gem, established within the tenth century, sits proudly within the Rioja Alavesa area. Laguardia’s well-preserved stone partitions and slender cobblestone streets exude historic attraction.
The city is legendary for its underground wine cellars, or “calados,” nonetheless in use in the present day. Highlights embrace the Church of Santa María de los Reyes with its gorgeous Gothic portal and the Church of San Juan Bautista. Perched atop a hill, Laguardia presents breathtaking views of surrounding vineyards and the Sierra de Cantabria mountains. The city’s medieval streets are lined with charming retailers, historic church buildings, and alluring cafes, making it a pleasant place to discover.
Among the varied points of interest in Laguardia, the bronze statues of sneakers and luggage, often called “Escultura Viajeros,” are significantly intriguing. These sculptures are situated in the primary sq. close to the Church of Santa María de los Reyes. The art work represents the vacationers who’ve handed by way of Laguardia over the centuries, symbolizing the city’s lengthy historical past as a stopover for these journeying throughout the Basque Country. The statues are designed to evoke a way of journey and exploration, connecting guests to the city’s wealthy heritage and the numerous journeys which have woven by way of its streets.
For lunch, we indulged in a hearty meal at an area restaurant, savoring conventional Riojan dishes paired with extra native wines. The mixture of excellent meals, glorious wine, and the city’s enchanting environment made for an ideal ending to our day journey.
Conclusion
As we headed again to Bilbao, we mirrored on a day effectively spent, stuffed with new information, pleasant tastes, and unforgettable experiences. This day journey to Rioja is not only about wine tasting; it’s an important introduction to historical past, tradition, and the gorgeous landscapes of one among Spain’s most beloved areas. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or just searching for a memorable day trip, Rioja from Bilbao guarantees an journey that may captivate your senses.
Tips for Your Trip:
- Book in Advance: Ensure you reserve your spots for vineyard excursions and tastings. You can e-book the identical tour right here. These are small group excursions as much as 8 individuals, and solo vacationers are additionally welcome. The length of the tour is 8 hours.
- Comfortable Clothing: Wear snug sneakers and clothes, because the tour includes strolling and standing.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink loads of water all through the day to remain hydrated, particularly throughout wine tastings.