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WINE REGION RIOJA

 

A day trip to La Rioja is a must for wine lovers. From Hedeso, you can get there by car in less than an hour. Many of the wineries can be visited (often by appointment) and the area has some beautiful villages and views.

Laguardia in particular, with its beautiful location atop a hill and its many old wine cellars and 12 wineries, is worth a visit. A visit to the underground wine cellars of Bodegas El Fabulista is, we think, the most special here. There are also two interesting bodegas near this wine capital of Rioja Alavesa, especially for its architecture. First, bodega Ysios, a very special building by world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava. A few kilometres from Laguardia is also the bodega Marqués Riscal, designed by the architect Frank O. Gehry who also designed the Guggenheim in Bilbao.

 

 

Bodegas El Fabulista:
Address: Plaza de San Juan, without number
Telephone: (34) 945 621 192
E-mail: info@bodegaelfabulista.com
Página web: www.bodegaelfabulista.com
Opening hours: Mon to Sat: 11:30, 13:00, 17:00 and 19:00. Sunday: 11:30 and 13:00
Also in English
Entrance fee: €6

 

 

Bodegas Ysios:
Address:Camino de la Hoya, Laguardia
Phone: 34-945-600-640
E-mail: ysios@domecqbodegas.com
Página web: www.ysios.com
Opening hours: Mon to Fri at 11am, 1pm and 4pm (preferably by appointment) Sat and Sun at 11am and 1pm (by appointment)

 

 

Bodegas Marqués Riscal:
Address: C/ Torrea 1, 01340 Elciego (Álava)
Telephone: (34)945 606 000
E-mail: marquesderiscal@marquesderiscal.com
Página web: http://www.marquesderiscal.com
Opening hours: Always book in advance: Mon to Sun (time to be agreed upon reservation).
Entrance fee: €10. Includes visit to bodega and tasting of 2 wines.
Duration of visit: approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours
Languages: English, French, German

 

But Haro, the capital of Rioja Alta, is also worth a visit with its 14 bodegas and the Batalla de Vino (the battle with the wine) during the fiestas in June.

A wine shop with a wide selection of Riojas in all price ranges can be found in the old town just off Plaza de la Paz. Also selling local specialities and, as an encore, a little museum.

 

Casa Quintín, La Catedral de los Vinos
Address: C/ Santo Tomás, 4
Telephone: (34) 941 312 144
E-mail: tienda@cunadelvino.com
Página web: www.cunadelvino.com

 

Navajas

We buy our Rioja wines from several bodegas. However, we have established a special relationship with Bodegas Navajas from Rioja Baja. Navajas is a family business dating back to the middle of the last century where family members are still in charge. Their Crianza Tempranillo is a traditional Rioja Crianza, robust and solid oak notes. The Crianza they make from the Graciano grape is very special in flavour, also does not fit into the old Rioja tradition but has obtained an exemption on the use of this grape by the Consejo of Rioja. Moreover, the Graciano we offer in our restaurant is aged even longer than the period set for Crianza. For Casa la Sonrisa, the wine is aged for an additional year in the bodega. Taste the result and judge for yourself. Navajas’ wines are exported to France, the Netherlands, China, the US, etc.

At Bodegas Navajas, we can organise tours for you. We do need to know a few days in advance so that the bodega can organise it, especially if you want the tour in English.

 

For more information on the Autonomía La Rioja visit: http://www.lariojaturismo.com