Are meals included on the tour?

A tapas lunch is included to complement your wine tasting experience.

Is transportation provided between wineries?

Yes, transportation between the three boutique wineries and Laguardia is arranged.

Can beginners join this wine tour?

Absolutely—this tour is designed for both novices and experienced wine enthusiasts.

Are the wineries family-owned?

Yes, the tour focuses on visiting three boutique family wineries emphasizing artisanal processes.

How many wines will we taste?

You will sample over nine different Rioja wines in curated tastings throughout the day.

What is special about Laguardia’s underground cellars?

The cellars are carved into limestone, maintaining cool conditions ideal for wine aging, and offer a unique historical setting.

Boutique Rioja Wine Tours with Northern Spain Gastronomy | Guided Tour | History Tour

Northern Spain’s Rioja region offers more than just legendary vineyards—it’s a living tradition of winemaking that pulses through centuries-old terraced hills and medieval towns. Northern Spain Gastronomy invites travelers on an immersive, 8-hour Sip-To-Sip Tour of 3 Boutique Rioja Family Wineries, crafting a journey that balances refined tasting experiences with authentic cultural insight. This tour is designed for wine lovers eager to taste the nuanced profiles of Rioja’s celebrated varieties without the fluff of typical winery tours. The adventure begins as guests visit three carefully selected family-owned wineries, each representing distinctive styles and histories of Rioja winemaking. Unlike mass-production estates, these boutique wineries emphasize artisanal care and terroir-specific expression, offering tastings of their top-selected wines paired with stories of local viticultural heritage. The opportunity to learn about grape varieties like Tempranillo and Garnacha against the backdrop of Cantabrian geography deepens appreciation for each sip. Capping the tour is a guided walk through Laguardia, a medieval fortress town renowned for its network of underground wine cellars carved into limestone rock. Walking narrow cobbled streets, visitors glimpse architecture preserved from the Middle Ages along with local artisans and charming tapas bars. Laguardia's cellars maintain a near-constant temperature year-round, helping to age the wines traditionally. Northern Spain Gastronomy's focus on sustainability and community connection—partnering with family vintners—is a rare offering in a region saturated with industrial-scale options. This tour’s intimate scale, cultural depth, and sensory richness make it a standout for travelers heading to Cantabria or nearby Bilbao, combining outdoor exploration, heritage immersion, and gourmet indulgence in one distinct itinerary.

Difficulty

easy.

Duration

8 hours.

Fitness level

Suitable for most fitness levels with basic walking on uneven surfaces

Wildlife

Northern goshawks hunting over nearby woodlands
European roe deer grazing near vineyard borders

History

Laguardia dates back to the Middle Ages, with a fortified layout and underground cellars that have been used for wine storage for centuries.

Conservation

Many boutique wineries in Rioja practice sustainable viticulture, balancing traditional methods with environmentally responsible practices to protect the local ecosystem.

Northern Spain Gastronomy is a Bilbo-based tour operator specializing in curated food, wine and cultural experiences across the Basque Country, Rioja and Cantabria. From Bilbao as a launch point, the company organizes guided trips that showcase regional specialties such as Basque pintxos, Txuleta steak, Txakoli wines and traditional dishes like cocido montañes. Highlights include private and guided visits: exclusive access to the Guggenheim Museum with certified guides; wine tours through Rioja visiting family wineries and landmark architecture; coastal excursions to Getaria and the cliffs of Zumaia; and full-day journeys to San Sebastian with cider-house lunches. Several itineraries combine tastings with scenic walks, medieval villages (Laguardia, Santillana del Mar, Comillas) and cultural landmarks including El Capricho and Castro Urdiales. Meals and tastings are integrated into most itineraries, ranging from gourmet restaurant lunches to picnic spreads and multi-pintxo meals in Bilbao’s Old Town. Options explicitly listed include private winery visits, gourmet lunches, cheese farm tastings, and specialized Guggenheim tours. Northern Spain Gastronomy operates from Bilbo, Euskadi, offering experiences that range from 1.5-hour private museum visits to full-day (up to nine-hour) excursions. The operator’s published itineraries emphasize local producers, regional wines and authentic Basque culinary traditions, presenting travelers with focused food-and-wine itineraries that connect culture, landscape and cuisine. Published itineraries list fifteen distinct trips covering Basque wine regions, coastal landmarks, Rioja wineries, San Sebastian excursions and Cantabrian villages. Typical group sizes and booking details are available per itinerary; specific durations and inclusions vary by trip and are stated with each offering. See listings.

Base locationLaguardia, La Rioja

Tours offered14+

Specialtyothers

StewardshipLeave No Trace