Laguardia: Solar de Samaniego Winery Tour & Traditional Lunch

Summary

Solar de samaniego’s art filled cellars wine tasting rioja lunch

You’ll wander through Solar de Samaniego’s art-filled cellars in Laguardia with a local guide, taste three distinct Rioja wines among books and murals, then settle in for a long traditional lunch overlooking vineyards—think lamb chops grilled over vine shoots and Riojan potatoes. It’s warm, sensory, quietly surprising—a day that lingers long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the echo—soft voices bouncing off stone and wood, somewhere between old barrels and these huge murals that almost felt alive. We’d just stepped into Solar de Samaniego in Laguardia, and our guide (I think her name was Marta?) grinned when she saw me gawking at the walls. She told us about Guido van Helten’s work—faces and stories painted right onto the old warehouses. It smelled like wet earth and something sweet I couldn’t place. Maybe fermenting grapes? Or maybe just my brain playing tricks because I was already thinking about the wine tasting.

We wandered through rooms that looked more like libraries than cellars—books tucked between bottles, sunlight catching on glass. There’s this reading room where you can actually sit with a glass of red and thumb through battered poetry books if you want. Marta laughed when I tried to pronounce “Félix María de Samaniego” (I definitely butchered it). The whole place has this literary thing going on, which I didn’t expect but kind of loved. It’s not just about wine here; it’s stories layered over stories.

I’m still thinking about those lamb chops grilled over vine shoots—the smell alone made my stomach growl before we even sat down for lunch. We had Riojan potatoes too, all hearty and spicy, plus these starters that changed with the season (ours had roasted peppers, ridiculously good). Three glasses of their own red wines during the tour—each one tasted a bit different depending on where we were standing or maybe just how much sunlight was coming through the window. The dining room overlooks rows of vines stretching out toward Laguardia’s hills. I kept glancing outside between bites, not wanting to miss anything inside or out.

By dessert (rice pudding—simple but perfect), everyone at our table had loosened up. There was laughter from a couple next to us trying to guess what spices were in the potatoes. Coffee came last, strong enough to jolt me back from my food coma. I left with stained fingers from swirling my glass too much and a weird urge to read more Spanish poetry when I got home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Winery visit, tasting, and traditional meal

• Discover winemaking process
• Learn winery history
• Explore wine-literary spaces
• Visit tasting and reading room
• See library among bottle racks
• View mural by Guido van Helten
• Taste three glasses of wine
• Dine with traditional menu

Top questions

How many wines do you taste during the Solar de Samaniego winery tour?

You taste three glasses of red wine during the visit.

Is lunch included on this Laguardia winery tour?

Yes, a traditional set menu lunch is included at the end of the tour.

What dishes are served for lunch at Solar de Samaniego?

The menu includes two seasonal starters, Riojan-style potatoes, lamb chops with vine shoots and salad, rice pudding for dessert, and coffee.

Are vegetarian options available at this winery lunch?

The standard menu focuses on regional meat dishes; vegetarian options aren’t specified in the description.

Is this winery experience suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Who leads the winery tour in Laguardia?

A local guide leads visitors through the winery spaces and shares their history.

Does this tour include any unique artistic features?

Yes, you’ll see monumental murals by Guido van Helten and interior design by Lázaro Rosa-Violán inspired by literature.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided walk through Solar de Samaniego’s art-filled cellars in Laguardia with three tastings of their red wines along the way; then you’ll enjoy two seasonal starters followed by Riojan-style potatoes, lamb chops grilled over vine shoots with salad, rice pudding for dessert and coffee—all paired with their Crianza wine as you look out over vineyard views before heading home satisfied.