PRICES: FROM €1559.00
WHEN: On request
DURATION: 3 days
NEAREST AIRPORT: Bilbao
Tour Summary
A carefully designed excursion into the delights of Rioja: a journey through the history and the great wines of Rioja, plentiful meals to taste one of the best gastronomies in Spain, delicious local dishes with unique flavours and innovative nouvelle cuisine at your award-winning hotel., Marques de Riscal.
A manageable pace will allow you to enjoy the unique scenery as well as the pleasures of the good food and fine wine. Your incomparable accommodation will make you feel privileged, a well deserved break to celebrate any special occasion.
The Marques de Riscal Hotel, a Luxury Collection hotel designed by Frank O. Gehry. A masterpiece between the Rioja Alavesa vineyards whose doors opened in October 2006 . Winegrowing tradition and avant-garde art: luxury, vineyards and relaxation: discover Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa.
PLACES
Modern Bilbao, home of the Guggenheim Museum with its lustrous exterior and collection of modern art. Haro is a graceful town on the banks of the River Ebro. It has a lively old quarter where elegant wine mansions meet lively pavement cafees. Laguardia is a medieval hilltop fortress city with narrow cobbled streets flanked by bodegas and tapas bars.
WINES
To set the scene, you will be guided through the world's largest wine museum, The Dinastia Vivanco, this museum will pleasantly surprise you. On to a chateau-styled Remelluri Estate embracing the cultures of Bordeaux and Burgundy in a modern Riojan context, and to two exclusive wineries by the Cantabrian mountains where you will experience the passion of two reputable winemakers including a tasting of their acclaimed wines. You will tour the distinguished Marques de Riscal Estate, pioneer of the region and master of the tempranillo grape. This winery continues its innovative reputation exemplified by its flamboyant Frank Ghery hotel where you will be staying. You will also discover the unique cellar construction of the Palace of the Samaniegos.
FOOD
Gastronomy plays an important role in our thrilling wine journey. Locations play a major part in creating just the right ambience for both wine tasting and dining on the region's extraordinary variety of ingredients and culinary styles. A memorable lunch experience is set in a mansion-hotel next to the town hall whose wine cellar and restaurant provide fine examples of Basque and Riojan cuisine.
Day One - Bilbao-Elciego
You are welcomed and escorted by our guide to the one and only Marques De Riscal, Luxury Collection, in the heart of wine country. Extraordinary guided tour of the world's largest wine museum, Dinastia Vivanco, experiencing the wine culture of centuries.
A unique experience learning the history of wine not only in Spain, but in Europe. After this wine-history journey we will visit the charming village of Briones and walking above the meander of the River Ebro surrounding the village with spectacular views (if time permitted). Free evening. Time to relax at your hotel Marques De Riscal.
Optional in Bilbao: Guggenheim museum visit in Bilbao, subject to arrival time.
Day Two - Elciego
Our morning visit has emerged as Spain's most significant and innovative wine estates founded in the past 25 years. It is at near the top of almost everyone's list of the greatest wines of modern Spanish era. It has accrued substantial track records with more than 15 vintages. Their wines have balance and style and more important they are delicious to drink. These wines are hard to top when put into the hands of one of the most talented winemakers in Spain. Wine tasting including two of the best extra virgin olive oils in Spain.
Visit to a fabulous Wine Estate, one of the most important wineries in La Rioja for Its successful style of blending the modern technology with the wine-making traditional methods. It is located at the foot of the Cantabrian Mountains with breathtaking views of a valley of vineyards. It produces only reserve wines and it has one of the best whites ever tasted (made of 7 varieties) unusual for La Rioja wine region.
After a fascinating visit full of history you will have a superb typical lunch from the area, overlooking the vineyards and accompanied by the much acclaimed wines from this unique Wine Estate. An excellent traditional lunch with fresh and first quality products including meat grilled over vine-branches.
Return to Marques De Riscal where you can enjoy the spa with its wine-treatments or perhaps relax in the library with views of the countryside.
Day Three - Elciego-Laguardia
Guided tour of the one and only Marques de Riscal, Pioneer in La Rioja wine region Its wines have earned some of the most distinguished international awards including the amazing Hotel Marques De Riscal designed by world renowned architect Frank Ghery. You will experience the amazing combination of a traditional centenary winery with state of the art wine-making.Wine tasting.
Private guided tour conducted by local expert of one of the most astonishing medieval towns in Spain. Hill-top picturesque village surrounded by vineyards with the backdrop of the Cantabrian Mountains. Spectacular views.
Privileged visit to the first chateaux-style Wine Estates in La Rioja. The winery architecture consists of several stone rustic houses next to the River Ebro meander surrounded by their own vineyards. They have a small production of high quality, producing modern wines with their own personality. They produce only Reserva and Grand Reserva wines and have mastered one of the best mono-varietal wines in La Rioja made of 100% Graciano grapes. Wine tasting.Gourmet lunch held at renowned restaurant-hotel in Laguardia. Mansion-hotel conversion and restaurant providing superb dishes as fine examples of Basque and Riojan Cuisine, based on fresh ingredients and excellent service. You will be attended by the owner, a dear character in the area.
After sampling local dishes with wines from La Rioja we head back to Bilbao or to your next destination.
Guided Itinerary
Price Per Person: 1559.00 EUROS (*)
Selfdrive Package Prices
Price Per Person: 890.00 EUROS (*)
Duration - 3 days / 2 nights.
(*) SPECIAL PRICES for groups.
Marques de Riscal Price Policy: prices vary during the weekends and depending the time of the year,
please request price for your dates.
Hotel Supplements
Check for single supplement
Departures
From April to October- Every Week.
From November to March- On request.
We can also organize a similar tour subject to your requirements of number of people and days, budget etc,
please e-mail us on [email protected].
BOOK NOW e-mail us at [email protected] with the departure date and number of people.
Price Includes - Guided Itinerary
Transport throughout the breakaway.
Transfers from and to Bilbao Airport.
Personalised English/Spanish speaking expert guide throughout the tour.
Two nights' Accommodation based on double occupancy with private bath at the one and only Marques De Riscal.
Two full breakfasts.
Four exclusive and unique wine estate visits.
Four wine tasting.
Two lunches including wine.
Visit to the world largest wine museum.
A medieval village guided walking tour.
Bottle of wine: Marques De Riscal.
Entrance to the Spa.
All taxes.
What is not Included - Guided Itinerary
Travel insurance.
Flights.
Tips.
Meals not specified.
Personal expenses.
Optional visits.
Selfdrive Package Prices
Price Per Person: 809 EUROS (*)
Duration - 3 days / 2 nights.
(*) SPECIAL PRICES for groups.
Marques de Riscal Price Policy: prices vary during the weekends and depending the time of the year,
please request price for your dates.
Hotel Supplements
Check for single supplement.
Departures
On request.
Prices Includes - Selfdrive package
Marques De Riscal accommodation for two nights.
Wineries carefully selected by us including wine tasting.
Bottle of wine Marques De Riscal.
What is not Included - Selfdrive package
Transport.
Lunches.
Private guides.
On request we can hire a car at your chosen destination with GPS (Golf TDI, Audi A4 etc)
Note: If any of the published accommodation, range of wineries or restaurants in the tour becomes unavailable,
others of similar category will be allocated.
Note: Upgrade of wineries and/or restaurants will have a supplement. Please request
We can also organize a similar tour subject to your requirements of number of people and days, budget etc,
please e-mail us on [email protected].
BOOK NOW e-mail us at [email protected] with the departure date and number of people.
By booking your trip with The Unique Traveller you agree to our Terms and Conditions
The Marques de Riscal
Luxury Collection hotel designed by Frank O. Gehry
A masterpiece between the Rioja Alavesa vineyards whose doors opened in October 2006 . Winegrowing tradition and avant-garde art: luxury, vineyards and relaxation.
About Vinos de Los Herederos de Marques de Riscal...
Vinos de los Herederos de Marques de Riscal has always been a pioneer in its field. In 1858 it became the first winery in Rioja region that produced wine using French system. In 1972 Marques de Riscal was the first winery to promote the D.O. where the famous Marqués de Riscal white wines are made. It was also the first winery to create a wine of a new age: Baron de Chirel. Marques de Riscal products can be found in more than 70 countries and its wines have earned some of the most distinguished international awards and acclaim as well as media recognition from professionals.
About Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa..
CAUDALIE, the French cosmetic niche brand was created in 1995 by Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas in collaboration with Dr. Vercauteren from the University of Bordeaux and President of World Polyphenol Group. In 1999, CAUDALIE offered its products a beautiful showcase creating the first Vinotherapie Spa in the world, in the middle of Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, Bordeaux, France. The adventure continued with the inauguration of leading Spas: in Paris in the palace Le Meurice, in Sonoma Valley, in California and in Taiwan. In 2003 the firm opened a beautiful Spa in the Relais Chateau San Maurizio, in the Vineyards of Piemont, Italy.
Implemented today in 25 countries all over the world, Caudalie sells millions of products of its more than 40 references, which efficiency (scientifically proven) is due to patented molecules from the grape-seed Polyphenol that are, 10,000 times more powerful than Vitamin E in fighting free radicals; the Resveratrol that stimulates cell renewal by 25 % and Viniferine, the most powerful anti dark spot on the market.
About Francis Paniego, Chef-advisor of the Gastronomic Restaurant...
Francis Paniego, together with his mother Marisa, is in charge of the cuisine of both, the Echaurren and El Portal Restaurants, situated in the historic centre of the beautiful town of Ezcaray. After five generations of the family focused on the highest standards of traditional Riojan cuisine, the creativity of Francis Paniego, more based on the avant-garde cuisine, was awarded in 2005 with one Michelin Star.