In the heart of northern Spain lies Rioja, a region where rolling vineyards, medieval villages, and cutting-edge wineries create a perfect landscape for a wine-focused road trip.
Known worldwide for its Tempranillo-based reds, Rioja is also a place of history, architecture, and hospitality. Driving through this region allows you to explore at your own pace, stopping for tastings, walking through ancient cellars, and enjoying meals that pair perfectly with the wines you discover along the way.
The adventure begins in Logroño, the lively capital of Rioja. The city is famous for Calle Laurel, a street lined with tapas bars where you can sample traditional bites paired with glasses of crianza or reserva wines. Spending a night here allows you to soak up the atmosphere before heading into the countryside.
In the morning, visit the Museo de la Rioja to gain context about the region’s history, then hit the road. Within minutes, the city gives way to vineyards stretching toward the horizon, with the Cantabrian Mountains as a dramatic backdrop.
The town of Haro is often considered the heart of Rioja wine country. It is home to several of the region’s most historic bodegas, many of which are within walking distance of each other. This makes Haro an ideal place to park the car and spend a day touring wineries on foot.
Bodegas such as López de Heredia, Muga, and CVNE offer tours of their century-old cellars, where oak barrels line the tunnels and the scent of aging wine fills the air. Tastings typically include a flight of young, crianza, reserva, and gran reserva wines, giving you a full picture of Rioja’s range and complexity.
Continuing along the wine road brings you to picturesque villages like Briones, with its cobblestone streets and hilltop views. Briones is home to the Vivanco Museum of Wine Culture, one of the most comprehensive wine museums in the world, featuring everything from ancient presses to wine-related art.
Not all Rioja wineries are traditional — some are architectural landmarks in their own right. Marques de Riscal, designed by Frank Gehry, looks like a shimmering ribbon of titanium and houses a luxury hotel and spa. Ysios, designed by Santiago Calatrava, resembles a wave rising from the vineyards. These stops add a striking modern contrast to the medieval surroundings.
One of the pleasures of a Rioja road trip is the food. Local cuisine is hearty and flavorful, featuring lamb chops grilled over vine cuttings, slow-cooked stews, and Riojan potatoes with chorizo. Many bodegas offer multi-course meals paired with their wines, turning lunch into a leisurely affair that can last most of the afternoon.
In smaller villages, look for rustic asadores and mesones where locals gather. Ordering a bottle of wine from the same vineyard you visited earlier in the day is a special way to connect the experience from vine to glass.
Rioja is not just for drivers — it is also a paradise for cyclists. The quiet roads that wind through vineyards are perfect for bike touring, and many Spain cycling tours include Rioja as a key stop. Riding from village to village allows you to slow down and appreciate the landscape in a more intimate way, with plenty of opportunities to stop for tastings along the route.
Part of the magic of a Rioja wine road trip is spending the night in the countryside. Vineyard hotels and rural casas rurales offer cozy accommodations where you wake up to views of the vines and the distant mountains. Some stays even include wine tastings, cooking classes, or guided walks through the vineyards at sunrise.
After several days of tastings, scenic drives, and leisurely meals, you will leave Rioja with a deeper appreciation for Spanish wine and culture. Whether you focused on the classics in Haro, sought out avant-garde wineries, or biked through the valleys, Rioja offers a road trip that is both delicious and memorable. It is a journey that invites you to slow down, sip slowly, and savor the essence of northern Spain.
