Rioja and Ribera del Duero: 11 Wine Tours to Book

1.From Bilbao: Rioja Wine Region with Winery & Vitoria-Gasteiz

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 60 reviews · 9 hours · from $82Our pick

Travel from Bilbao into Rioja for vineyard views, a traditional cellar beneath Laguardia, and a tasting of local wines. Walk Laguardia’s medieval streets, then join a guided visit through Vitoria-Gasteiz and finish with Basque chocolates. The tour runs about nine hours in English or Spanish, with guides such as Paula, Borja, and Xabi appearing on recent departures.

“We enjoyed a wonderful day with guide Paola and driver Alfredo on our day trip to the Rioja wine region and Vitoria-Gasteiz. With so much history, Laguardia was such a beautiful spot to spend a good portion of the day, and the wine tasting was very informative--and delicious. The tour of Vitoria-Gasteiz, the capital of the Basque Country, was a great way to end the day.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Rioja Wine Route with winery owner

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 54 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $356Top rated

José leads a small-group Rioja wine tour from Logroño and nearby towns, visiting three wineries plus his family’s restored bodega from 1881. Expect vineyard lessons, generous tastings, Rioja wine history, and a home-cooked lunch served inside a converted wine barrel. Pickup, transport, and selected wines are included.

“José (guide) has created a remakable experience, truly raising the bar of wine tours...it is a complete dive into Rioja wines and its history....the highlight is the Lunch experience (I won't give a spoiler though!)... absolutely worth every penny...Gracias Pepe!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Full Day Tasting The Unknown Rioja Wine Region

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $510

Leave San Sebastian with a private Basque guide such as Jon Gurrea for a nine-hour Rioja wine day. Visit Haro, Laguardia, and three wineries, taste reds, whites, olive oil, and local food, then lunch in a medieval wine town. The route can be adjusted for special winery requests.

“We had a wonderful time. Gorka picked us up from our hotel and drove us about 1.5 hours to Haro. Along the way, he shared some history of the Basque region with us. He also was kind enough to stop at gas station so my husband could get a cup of coffee. Once in Haro, we sampled 9 different wine varieties between the two wineries. We also had the opportunity to sample some delicious olive oil at Gomez Cruzado along with our wine. After leaving Haro, we continued on to Laguardia. It’s an adorable medieval town. We sampled three wines in a wine cave at Vinasperi before heading to lunch.…”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Rioja wine region with visit to winery & Vitoria-Gasteiz

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 32 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $84

Leave Bilbao at 9:20 a.m. for a nine-hour guided trip through Rioja and the Basque Country. Walk the medieval streets of Laguardia, enjoy free time for lunch, visit a family-run winery for two wine tastings, then tour Vitoria-Gasteiz with a stop for traditional sweets. Guides may include Josu, Paula, Borja, or Jesús.

“Wonderful tour in all ways - great guide Jose and terrific information. The countryside is stunning & the winery distinctly different”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.From Bilbao: La Rioja a journey to the vineyards & tradition

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 19 reviews · 9 hours · from $88

Travel from Bilbao into Rioja Alavesa with a bilingual guide such as Borja, visit two very different wineries, taste local wines with an appetizer, and tour the walled village of Laguardia. You will have free time for lunch, but the day includes long drives and walking on uneven streets.

“Our tour and tour guide were excellent! It ended up being somewhat of a private tour which was great. Relaxing and enjoyable day as we went through wine country. The wineries were thoughtfully chosen and eager to have us there.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Ribera del Duero: Experience, vineyard, and 4×4 ride, plus an aperitif and tasting.

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 17 reviews · 2 hours · from $41Best value

At Viñas del Jaro, sommelier Miguel leads a small-group tour across the 65-hectare Finca del Quiñón in a 1964 Mercedes UNIMOG 4x4. You’ll stop at Mount Jaro for views, taste wine at different stages of production, and finish with three wines, local cheese, and Iberian cold cuts.

“Pese a no tener casi idea de vino nos encantó la visita. Miguel nos abrió los ojos y nos explicó con mucha simpatía las distintas partes del viñedo (distintos tipos se suelo, distintas edades y tipos de vides, etc.) todo ello paseando en un 4x4 y con paradas estratégicas muy chulas para ir haciendo catas y picoteo entre explicaciones. La parte final de la visita se realiza ya en la bodega y también las pinceladas explicativas fueron muy interesantes. En esta última parte se analiza el proceso de fermentación del vino y los distintos procesos que ello conlleva. Se nota mucho como va cambiando el sabor y los matices del…”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Ribera del Duero Winery Tour & Wine Tasting Near Valladolid

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 10 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $44

At Finca Villacreces, your guide leads you through 15 Ribera del Duero vineyard plots, organic growing methods, fermentation rooms, and oak-aging cellars. Finish with two wine tastings and an individual gourmet pairing. English is available on selected dates, but Saturday and Sunday visits are Spanish only.

“Vinícola muy linda, conservadora de grandes vinos, vale la pena conocerla y consumir sus vinos que en mexico tenemos accceso”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.From Madrid to Ribera del Duero: Hidden Vineyards and Towns

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 10 hours · from $152

Travel from Madrid with guide Adrián into Ribera del Duero for historic towns, vineyard views, Peñafiel Castle, and optional visits to two wineries. Expect a long but rewarding day in a small group, with modern winemaking, family cellars, and tastings available at an extra cost.

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Ribera del Duero wine region private tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4 reviews · 10 hours · from $412

Travel privately from Madrid into Ribera del Duero for two winery visits, cellar tours, and tastings focused on Tempranillo. Your English or Spanish-speaking guide explains the region, from a modern winery with barrel samples to a 16th-century family cellar. Guides including Enrique and Jaime have led the route, which also includes a full Castilian lunch.

“la atención del Chófer Jaime, excelente, lo que si no me parece bien es que en las fotos se.coloque la bodega de Protos y la de Emilio Moro, y se crea la expectativa o se entiende que esas son las que se visitarán en el recorrido, pero no es asi, ninguna de las 2, y eso me parece algo mal, como publicidad engañosa”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.From San Sebastián: Private Rioja Wine Region Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 9 hours · from $383

Travel from San Sebastián into Rioja Alavesa for three winery tastings, a medieval village walk, olive oil, snacks, and a traditional three-course lunch. Your English- or Spanish-speaking guide handles the driving and explains Rioja’s past, present, and future. Martin is one guide associated with the tour.

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Mastering The Rioja Wine Region with a Sommelier (With Cheese Pairings)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $66

Meet Irene and the Gastronomía Bilbao team at 11:30 am for a 90-minute tasting of five Rioja wines and local cheeses. You’ll learn about authorised grape varieties beyond Tempranillo, Rioja DOCa rules, and Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva ageing. The group is capped at 12 in a Bilbao wine bar and tasting room.

Check availability →Read our full review