Rioja: Marqués de Riscal & Ysios Wine Tour from Bilbao

Summary

Iconic wineries, bold architecture, and Rioja’s timeless villages

You’ll taste legendary Rioja wines at Marqués de Riscal and Ysios with a local guide who knows every twist in the road—and every story behind each bottle. Wander medieval streets before settling in for a tapas lunch where conversation flows as easily as wine. Expect sensory surprises and moments that linger long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed wasn’t the vineyards—it was that wild flash of titanium twisting above the vines at Marqués de Riscal. Our guide, Marta, grinned when she caught me staring. “Gehry’s work,” she said, tapping her notebook. The building almost buzzed in the morning light. Inside, it smelled like cool stone and old oak barrels—sort of earthy and sharp at once. We wandered through cellars older than my grandparents, tasting wine that somehow tasted like the landscape itself: dry air, sun-baked earth, a bit of something herbal I couldn’t quite name.

The drive deeper into Rioja was quieter than I expected. Everyone got a little sleepy after that first glass (or maybe it was just me). When we pulled up to Ysios winery, it looked like someone had folded the mountains into waves of silver and wood. Santiago Calatrava’s design is famous for a reason—I kept squinting at the way the roof seemed to move against the clouds. The tasting here felt different: lighter wines, more mineral notes. One of the staff tried to teach us how to swirl properly; I mostly spilled on my hand but nobody cared.

Lunch happened in a medieval village—can’t remember the name now, but there were cobblestones and these faded red shutters everywhere. We squeezed into a tiny bar where plates of jamón and tortilla kept appearing without anyone really ordering them. I tried to thank the owner in Spanish; he laughed and corrected my accent (I deserved it). There was this easy quiet outside afterward—just footsteps echoing off stone walls and someone’s radio drifting from an upstairs window. I still think about that silence sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Rioja wine tour from Bilbao

• Drive from Bilbao to Rioja region
• Guided visit at Marqués de Riscal winery
• Wine tasting at Marqués de Riscal
• Visit medieval village in Rioja
• Enjoy traditional tapas lunch
• Visit Ysios Winery and admire architecture
• Wine tasting at Ysios Winery

Top questions

How long is the drive from Bilbao to Rioja?

The journey takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes by road from Bilbao to the Rioja wine region.

Are tours at Marqués de Riscal private or group?

Visits at Marqués de Riscal are organized by the estate and may include groups of up to around 20 guests during peak season.

Is lunch included on this Rioja wine tour?

Yes, a traditional tapas lunch with regional food and wine is included during your visit to a medieval village in Rioja.

Which wineries are visited on this tour?

The tour includes guided visits and tastings at both Marqués de Riscal and Ysios wineries in Rioja.

Is there an English-speaking guide throughout?

Yes, you’ll be accompanied by an English-speaking professional guide for the entire day trip from Bilbao.

What kind of wines will we taste?

You’ll sample classic Rioja wines at Marqués de Riscal and newer style wines with mineral notes at Ysios winery.

Do we visit any villages during the day trip?

Yes, you’ll stroll through one of Rioja’s medieval villages with time to explore its narrow streets and squares.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from Bilbao, all entry fees for guided tours inside both Marqués de Riscal and Ysios wineries with tastings at each stop, bottled water throughout, plus a relaxed tapas lunch with local wine served in a medieval village before returning in the afternoon.