Rioja: Small-Group Wine Tour & Family Wineries with Lunch

Summary

Walk ancient vines, share stories with Rioja winemakers, taste real cellar wines

You’ll walk cool cellars in Rioja Alta & Alavesa with a small group, taste wines poured by family winemakers themselves, share stories over a proper Riojan lunch, and wander vineyards older than memory. It’s not polished or staged — just real people and real wine. If you want to feel part of it for a day, you’ll fit right in.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed wasn’t the view — it was the cool hush inside that old stone cellar. You could smell the barrels, a little sharp and earthy, almost like wet autumn leaves. Our guide (Marta — she grew up here) handed me a glass before I’d even figured out where to stand. She laughed when I tried to pronounce “Tempranillo” the local way. I still think about that moment — just standing there, trying not to look too much like a tourist but failing completely.

We drove through both Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa, which honestly felt like two different worlds even though they’re neighbors. The hills kept changing color as clouds moved — sometimes gold, sometimes almost purple. Marta told us about her uncle’s vineyard and how his hands always smell faintly of grapes no matter what time of year. At one of the family-run wineries (I wish I remembered the name), the owner showed us a photo from 1957 of his grandfather stomping grapes barefoot. He said they still do it for fun at harvest time, just for tradition’s sake.

Lunch was in this tiny village restaurant — nothing fancy, just real Riojan food. There was something about the way everyone talked over each other at the table that made me feel like we’d known each other longer than a morning. The wine tasted different after walking those vineyards; maybe that’s just in my head but… it mattered somehow.

By afternoon, we were wandering between rows of vines older than any of us — quiet except for birds and someone’s distant radio playing something cheerful in Spanish. It wasn’t all perfect; my shoes got muddy and I forgot sunscreen (classic). But yeah, if you want a day trip from Bilbao or San Sebastián that feels less like a tour and more like being let in on something local, this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Full-day Rioja wine and culture tour

• Visit two family-owned wineries
• Explore Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa
• Learn ancient and modern winemaking
• Enjoy authentic Riojan cuisine and wine
• Walk through ancient vineyards

Top questions

How long does the Rioja wine tour last?

The tour is a full-day experience starting in the morning and returning by evening.

Is hotel pickup included on this Rioja wine tour?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from your hotel or meeting point are included.

What regions are visited during this day trip?

The tour visits both Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa wine regions.

Are meals included on the Rioja wine tour?

Yes, lunch featuring local Riojan cuisine paired with wines is included.

How many wineries do we visit on this tour?

You’ll visit two family-owned wineries plus walk through vineyards.

Is this a private or group wine tour?

This is a small group tour for up to 8 people.

Who leads the wine tastings?

A local English-speaking wine expert guide leads tastings and visits.

Are there physical requirements for joining?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels; some walking in vineyards is involved.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation with air conditioning from your hotel or meeting point, an English-speaking wine expert as your guide throughout Rioja Alta and Alavesa, guided visits to three vineyards where you’ll meet winemakers or their families, all entry fees covered, plus lunch “like a native” with authentic local dishes perfectly paired with regional wines before heading back together at sunset.