A guide to La Rioja region of Spain

Wine tourists in La Rioja make their way straight to Haro. Several bodegas are situated right outside of town, within easy distance for a country bike ride or walk, and each with its own tours and tastings. Virtually every road out of Haro runs through vineyard and winery country. The best time to be in Haro is for the June 29th festival of Batalla Del Vino. The locals turn out dressed head-to-toe in white, go to church, and then fling wine at each other until not a splotch of white remains. The "battle of wine" dates back to a medieval land dispute. In terms of fun and drink to be had, the festival ranks with running with the bulls in Pamplona, and is a lot safer to boot!

In terms of sights, La Rioja offers Ezcaray, a small town with a lot of scenery. It's riverfront is dotted with old stone bridges, the surrounding hillsides are occupied by quaint hamlets, and the town has a good hotel with a fabulous restaurant in Hotel Echaurren and El Portal. For a getaway in the country in a truly off-the-beaten track location, it does not get much better than that.

For hikers, the capital of La Rioja at Logrono sits squarely on the Way of St. James, the medieval pilgrimage route that ends at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, where the remains of James the Apostle rest. Logrono also has a lovely, small medieval core and the surrounding countryside boasts more of the region's famous wineries.

As a small region that was incorporated early into the Kingdom of Castille, La Rioja is not famous for its food. However, some of its culinary traditions have made their way into the larger world of Spanish cooking. Spanish salsa fritada, for example, is of La Riojan origin. Try patatas a la Riojana while you are there. This is a local, hearty potato stew made with peppers, chorizo and spare ribs.

Deepening La Rioja's isolation is its lack of good air connections. While there is an airport at Logrono, it is serviced only by Iberia through connections to Madrid. There is no budget airline service. However, the region is convenient from Madrid and other surrounding regions by road and rail.

La Rioja Wine Escape of Charming Wine Towns and Fine Cuisine
Description: A private chauffeur driven wine tour visiting La Rioja. Enjoy strolling around small wine towns, exclusive winery visits, historic sites, fine cuisine...more...

La Rioja and Ribera del Duero Biking Wine Tour
Description: If you enjoy biking through the countryside, fine cooking and wine, this is the bike wine tour for you. On this tour we ride through famed wine regions of Rioja and Ribera del Duero...more...

Haro the Heart of Rioja Wines and Tapa Tour
Description: Half Day private walking to of Haro, the hear of Rioja wines. Visit a winery and then enjoy a tapa tour of quiant wine tavernsmore...