Rioja Wine Tour from San Sebastian: 3 Wineries, Lunch

Taste three sides of Rioja in one day without arranging the drive

A private day tour from San Sebastian into Rioja's wine region, visiting three carefully chosen wineries (one with a full guided tour, two with tastings) plus the medieval town of Briones and a traditional lunch with local wines. Your local guide explains Rioja's history, styles and evolution at an easy pace, with no lectures or jargon. Door-to-door pickup and drop-off from San Sebastian included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Rioja wineries and local cuisine

• Walk Briones medieval town
• Visit modern winery in Cenicero
• Taste wines at family winery near Villabuena
• Taste traditional Rioja in Haro
• Enjoy traditional lunch in Labastida

The experience

You start in Briones, a medieval town perched on a hilltop above the vineyards, where a walk through quiet streets and a stop at the Rioja lookout frames the landscape: the surrounding mountains, the wide valley, and the Ebro River that shapes the region's climate and wines. This is the foundation before you head into the cellars: understanding what makes Rioja distinct before tasting it.

The three wineries follow a deliberate arc. In Cenicero, you explore a small modern project inside a 15th-century cellar, tasting natural wines made from vines over 100 years old and learning how the region is evolving. Near Villabuena de Álava, a family-owned winery teaches you to read Rioja labels and recognize different styles through tastings that reflect both tradition and everyday life. In Haro's Barrio de la Estación, a classic winery founded in the late 19th century shows you traditional Rioja aged in American oak: the style that became influential across Spain and beyond. Each stop builds on the last. Your guide connects the dots without jargon.

The day ends in Labastida with a relaxed traditional lunch at a small restaurant run by two sisters, popular with locals and winemakers from the surrounding villages. The menu centers on classic Rioja dishes made with local produce, paired with village wines. Transportation, all tastings, and lunch are included. Your guide handles the route and timing so you focus on tasting and conversation.

What’s included

• Premium transportation for the full day.
• pickup and drop-off from your San Sebastian location.
• one guided winery visit with cellar access.
• two guided wine tastings at carefully selected wineries.
• traditional lunch with local wines.
• all tasting fees.
• a private local guide in English or Spanish.
• visit to the medieval town of Briones.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (10 to 17 years) · Infant (under 10)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Ikusnahi Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're based in San Sebastian without a rental car and want to understand Rioja's wine styles and history in a single day. The private format and local guide mean the pace and conversation adapt to your questions, and the three wineries show you how the region spans from modern natural wines to classic aged styles.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (10 to 17 years); Infant (under 10).

I'm staying in San Sebastian for one day, how does the pickup work?

Door-to-door pickup and drop-off from your San Sebastian location is included in the tour price. Your guide arrives at your hotel or accommodation, and you return there at the end of the day.

What exactly happens at each of the three wineries?

The first winery in Cenicero is a full guided tour of the cellar plus a tasting of natural wines from old-vine vineyards. The second and third stops, near Villabuena de Álava and in Haro, are guided tastings where you learn to read labels and understand Rioja's classic style, without a cellar walk.

Is lunch included, or do I pay separately?

Lunch is included in the tour price. You eat at a traditional family-run restaurant in Labastida with classic Rioja dishes and local wines paired with the meal.

What's the pace like, is this a rushed day or relaxed?

The tour is designed at an easy pace with time to learn, taste, and ask questions. Your guide shares stories about Rioja's history and how the region is changing, but keeps the conversation personal and informal, without lectures.

What is Briones, and why do we stop there first?

Briones is a beautiful medieval town on a hilltop overlooking the vineyards. The stop gives you a view of the landscape (the mountains, valley, and Ebro River), so you understand the geography and climate that shape Rioja's wines before you taste them.