Bilbao: La Rioja Wine Tasting & Laguardia with 2 Wineries

Two wineries, one afternoon, and why Rioja tastes different at the source

You visit two contrasting wineries in La Rioja with a professional guide, taste wines at each stop, and learn to identify the flavors that define the region. Then you explore medieval Laguardia on foot and sit down to a traditional lunch with wine pairing. Hotel pickup and drop-off from Bilbao are included, and the group stays small enough that you're not rushing between stops.

Step-by-step itinerary

Wine tasting and Laguardia visit

• Visit first winery
• Wine tasting at first winery
• Stop at Marques de Riscal viewpoint
• Visit second winery
• Wine tasting at second winery
• Arrive in Laguardia
• Lunch in Laguardia

The experience

Hands tilt the glass, swirling the wine to catch the light before the first sip, and that's when your guide, a local who's spent years reading these vineyards, points out the notes you're about to taste. This is a La Rioja wine tour from Bilbao, and it starts the moment you leave the city, heading south into terrain that's been growing grapes since Roman times. The drive takes you past terraced slopes and stone villages, and by the time you arrive at the first winery, you're already thinking about soil, altitude, and why this particular corner of Spain became synonymous with serious red wine.

The first stop is a smaller operation: the kind of place where you walk past the actual barrels being aged and the owner might be in the cellar that morning. Your guide walks you through the process: how they select the grapes, how long the wine sits, what happens in the oak. Then you taste, and it's not a rush. You're learning to identify red fruit, vanilla, spice: the things that separate one Rioja from another. The second winery is mid-sized, more modern in its approach, and the contrast is deliberate. You see how tradition and innovation coexist in the same region, sometimes even in the same family. Two tastings, two completely different philosophies, same wine region.

After the wineries, the tour moves to Laguardia, a medieval town perched on a hilltop with cobbled streets so narrow you have to walk single file in places. The vineyard views from up there are the kind that make you understand why people settled here centuries ago. There's time to wander, and then lunch arrives: traditional pintxos paired with a glass of local wine. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available if you need them. Just mention it when you book. The whole day is built around small groups, which means you're not herded through with thirty other people, and hotel pickup and drop-off from Bilbao are included, so you don't have to figure out the drive yourself.

A minimum of two adults is required for the tour to operate. If your booking falls short, the operator contacts you at least two days ahead to offer an alternative date or refund. The experience works for solo travellers too. You'll just be paired with others. If you're bringing children, the operator will email three days before to confirm their height and weight for the car seat. Dress for the weather. La Rioja can be warm in summer and cool in winter, and the tour runs regardless of conditions.

What’s included

• Your day includes a professional guide fluent in the region's wine history, visits to two different wineries with guided tastings at each, hotel pickup and drop-off from Bilbao in an air-conditioned vehicle, a traditional pintxos lunch in Laguardia paired with a glass of local wine, and time to explore the medieval streets of Laguardia on foot.
• Vegetarian and gluten-free meal options are available upon request at booking.
• Small group and private experience options are both available.

Options for this experience

5 options

Bilingual groupGuide in English or Spanish · 09:00No hotel pickup: meet your guide at the Puppy, the floral dog sculpture outside the Guggenheim Museum, at Mazarredo Zumarka. Our tour leader speaks Spanish and English at the same time, and travelers who speak both languages are welcome. The minimum group size is 4 adults and the maximum is 30 adults. Food and drinks include 2 glasses of wine paired with 2 tapas. The vehicle depends on demand and may be a bus or a minivan. On this tour you visit one winery and Laguardia, with a stop at the Marques de Riscal viewpoint.

Small group (English)09:00Small-group tour for up to 8 participants. Lunch features traditional dishes and a glass of wine. The tour is conducted in English using private transportation in a minivan. Pickup is included.

Small group (Spanish)09:00Small-group tour for up to 8 participants. Lunch features traditional dishes and a glass of wine. The tour is conducted in English using private transportation in a minivan. Pickup is included.

See 2 more options

Private group (English)09:00Private experience: a private guide accompanies you throughout, offering tailored insights and explanations. Winery visits may be shared with other guests. Lunch includes traditional dishes and a glass of wine. The tour runs with private transportation in a minivan. Conditions: solo travelers are welcome, but they must pay the equivalent of a minimum of two adults. Pickup is included.

Private group (Spanish)09:00Private experience: a private guide accompanies you throughout, offering tailored insights and explanations. Winery visits may be shared with other guests. Lunch includes traditional dishes and a glass of wine. The tour runs with private transportation in a minivan. Conditions: solo travelers are welcome, but they must pay the equivalent of a minimum of two adults. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (under 12)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Local Experts Tours

Is this one for you?A good fit if you want to understand Rioja wines at their source without arranging transport or navigating the wineries yourself. The guide handles the tasting education and the logistics, which is what lets you focus on the flavors and the landscape. Plan for a full day out of Bilbao. That's what makes visiting two wineries and exploring Laguardia possible in one trip.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (under 12).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the tour?

The itinerary spans a full day. Exact duration depends on your hotel location in Bilbao and traffic, but plan for roughly 8–9 hours from pickup to drop-off.

Is lunch included?

Yes, a traditional pintxos lunch with a glass of local wine is included. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available upon request at booking.

Can I do this tour if I don't know anything about wine?

Yes. The guide explains everything as you go: no expertise needed, just curiosity. The tastings are designed to teach you how to identify flavors and understand what makes Rioja wines distinct.

What if I'm traveling alone?

Solo travellers are welcome. A minimum of two adults across all bookings is required for the tour to operate. If your solo booking doesn't meet that threshold, the operator will contact you at least two days ahead to offer an alternative date or full refund.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off in Bilbao are included in the tour price.

Can I book a private tour instead of a small group?

Yes, a private experience option is available. Contact the operator for pricing and availability.

Are there vegetarian or gluten-free options?

Yes. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available for the lunch. Indicate your preference in the comments section at booking so arrangements can be made in advance.

What if the weather is bad?

The tour operates in all weather conditions. Dress appropriately for the season: La Rioja can be warm in summer and cool in winter.

Is this tour suitable for people with reduced mobility?

No, this tour is not recommended for people with reduced mobility due to the walking involved in the wineries and medieval Laguardia.