The Best Wineries and Vineyards in Rioja Alavesa
The wineries of the Rioja Alavesa are recognized nationally and internationally for offering wines of exceptional quality steeped in tradition. This region, located in the province of Alava, in the Basque Country, is famous for being one of the most outstanding wine regions in northern Spain. From wineries in Laguardia to Elciego, the region offers a rich selection of world-renowned vineyards that attract wine enthusiasts with their wine tourism offerings and specialized tastings.
Rioja Alavesa is a Spanish wine region recognized for the exceptional quality of its grapes due to a unique set of climatic and geographical conditions. The region benefits from clay-limestone soils, poor in nutrients, which are ideal for growing vines that produce high-quality wines. In addition, the Mediterranean microclimate with the Atlantic and continental influences, together with high sunshine and low rainfall, favors optimal ripening of the fruit.
This post presents the five best wineries in the Rioja Alavesa, each with their unique characteristics in terms of renowned wines, profound history and the wine tourism experiences they offer. From the innovative Bodega Ysios to the historic Marqués de Riscal, these wineries represent the best of Spanish winemaking and promise to offer an unforgettable experience to all their visitors.
Herederos del Marqués de Riscal Winery
Marqués de Riscal is one of the oldest and most distinguished wineries in La Rioja, founded in 1858 in the heart of the Rioja Alavesa. Noted for its innovation and quality, Marqués de Riscal has been a pioneer in the region’s winemaking development, adopting techniques that have set a precedent in the industry. In 2023, the winery was recognized for the third consecutive year as the second-best vineyard in the world, a testament to its excellence and commitment to high-level viticulture.
In addition to its rich history, Marqués de Riscal has embraced sustainable and advanced practices to maintain the vitality and productivity of its vineyards. Recently, they have implemented an innovative vineyard rejuvenation system that allows them to prolong the life of their plants, thus ensuring the quality and continuity of their wines. Also committed to organic production, the winery has begun the transition of all its vineyards to organic, a step that reflects its dedication to respect for the environment and sustainability in winemaking.
The architecture of Marqués de Riscal is as innovative as its wines. The winery has the hotel Marqués de Riscal, a Luxury Collection Hotel, designed by one of the world’s most renowned architects, Frank Gehry. This luxury hotel has become an icon of modernity and a symbol of the fusion of art and viticulture. The building’s avant-garde design, with its undulating shapes and bright colours that mimic wine bottle covers, creates a striking contrast with the region’s traditional wine-growing landscape.
Marqués de Riscal’s international recognition is also based on the variety and exceptional quality of its wines. Its flagship wine, Herederos del Marqués de Riscal Reserva, is known for its balance and depth of flavour. In addition, they offer more recent innovations that reflect organic and sustainable techniques, all capturing the essence of Rioja Alavesa wines. Visitors to the winery can explore these wines through detailed tastings and educational tours that offer an in-depth look at the winemaking history and cutting-edge practices of Marqués de Riscal. History, quality, innovation, and a high level of commitment make Marqués de Riscal one of the best wineries in the Rioja Alavesa to visit.
Image by Marqués de Riscal
Ysios Winery
Bodegas Ysios, one of the most exclusive wineries in Laguardia, is recognized as an avant-garde boutique winery. The Ysios vineyards produce grapes of exceptional quality thanks to the area’s privileged natural conditions for vineyards.
Ysios’ wine offering is characterized by its focus on high-quality wines, using winemaking methods that combine traditional techniques with modern innovations. These wines reflect the uniqueness of the winery and are the result of meticulous vineyard care and rigorous grape selection. The winery offers everything from robust and elegant reds to fresh and aromatic white wines, each with its own story to tell.
The winery offers a luxury wine experience in the heart of the Rioja Alavesa. In addition to guided tours of its vineyards and winery, the offer includes tastings of its premium wines, made with meticulous care that combines traditional and modern techniques. These wines are celebrated for their complexity and refinement, reflecting the rich winemaking tradition of the region.
Among the experiences of this winery in Laguardia, the Winecar Exclusive Tour and the Solo Para Ti are the two most luxurious. The first allows visitors to explore the winery and its vineyards in-depth. They can enjoy a tasting of all the wine collections along with a selection of gourmet appetizers, in a tour that culminates with breathtaking views from an exclusive lounge. The Solo Para Ti offers a more intimate and personalized experience, including a private tour of the vineyard and a special wine tasting accompanied by selected appetizers. This experience is ideal for those seeking an exclusive experience in a luxury winery in Spain.
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BAIGORRI Wineries
One word that defines Bodegas BAIGORRI is harmony. Located in Samaniego, this winery stands out for its commitment to sustainable practices, including environmentally friendly cultivation methods, and an architectural design that seeks the minimum alteration of the natural environment, integrating harmoniously with the natural landscape.
BAIGORRI wines are produced under the gravity vinification technique, a method that allows winemaking without the use of mechanical pumps, favoring a smoother process that respects the natural qualities of the grapes. In addition, the careful selection of grapes and their manual harvesting reinforce the winery’s commitment to quality and sustainability.
Each wine from this winery in the Rioja Alavesa is a reflection of the unique terroir of the region. They range from robust, structured reds to fresh, vibrant whites. The winery employs sustainable practices to ensure a reduced environmental impact, focusing on quality without compromising ecological responsibility.
In addition to its wine production, BAIGORRI offers wine tourism experiences that capture the essence of wine and its creation process. Visitors can enjoy detailed tours of the facilities, tastings led by experts and paired meals in the restaurant, where they can enjoy panoramic views of the vineyard and surrounding landscapes.
With such a diverse and committed offer, Bodegas BAIGORRI is positioned as an essential destination for those who visit the Rioja Alavesa, looking for an experience that combines luxury, culture, and nature.
Image by BAIGORRI Wineries
Izadi Winery
Izadi Winery is a winery that combines tradition and modernity in the elaboration of its wines. Founded in the late 1980s, the winery focuses on producing wines that reflect the unique terroir of this prestigious wine region of Spain. Izadi wines are known for their balance and quality, standing out for their expressive red wines, made mainly with the Tempranillo variety.
The winery is not only famous for its wines, but also for its commitment to sustainable winemaking. Izadi offers a wine tourism experience that includes guided tours of its modern facilities and vineyards, where visitors can learn about the meticulous winemaking process and the importance of sustainability in viticulture. These visits usually culminate in wine tastings that allow attendees to sample the range of wines they produce, from young wines to their reserves and special selections.
In addition, Bodegas Izadi has a singular vineyard “El Regalo”, in the D.O. Ca. Rioja, planted in 1936 during the beginning of the Spanish Civil War and registered in 1940. Nearly 100 years old, it has been cultivated with respect and minimal intervention, allowing its grapes to produce wines of unparalleled quality and deeply rooted in the history and tradition of the region.
Valdelana Winery
This prestigious winery is noted for its rich family history dating back to 1583. Bodegas Valdelana is recognized for its award-winning wines, its commitment to innovation and sustainability, and its rich cultural and wine tourism offerings.
One of its most emblematic wines, Centvm Vitis, represents the legacy and resilience of a singular vineyard that survived the devastating phylloxera plague thanks to unique geographical conditions. Planted in 1936 in Santa Cruz, on a soil with clay-limestone and poor permeability, this vineyard not only resisted the plague, but continues to produce grapes of exceptional quality almost a century later. This wine, aged in French Allier oak barrels and enhanced with edible gold petals, celebrates the history and survival of these centuries-old vines.
Valdelana offers not only excellent wines, but also a complete wine tourism experience. With facilities such as a wine museum, a varietal garden and a tunnel of the senses, the winery provides an educational and sensory environment. Visits include personalized tastings along with tours of the museum and the varietal garden, allowing visitors to delve deeper into the history and winemaking diversity of La Rioja. In addition, Valdelana offers lodging in a picturesque setting for guests to have an unforgettable experience on their wine route.
Private Chauffeur for Wine Tourism in La Rioja Alavesa
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Enjoy the scenery, history and exquisite wines of the region while we take care of the logistics of your travels, ensuring an experience of luxury and comfort that perfectly complements your wine adventure. Contactus to customize your itinerary and transform your visit to the wineries into a memorable tour.
