Architectural Rioja Wine Tour: Marqués de Riscal & Ysios (Bilbao)

Discover the perfect introduction to Rioja by exploring both its legendary wineries and its exciting new generation of winemakers. Visit three contrasting wineries, including the architectural icons Marqués de Riscal and Ysios, plus a family-run boutique winery where you'll experience Rioja's modern wine movement. Taste at least 8 exceptional wines, from world-famous labels to small-production gems, while learning about the region's history, terroir, and winemaking traditions. Complete your day in the medieval village of Laguardia, where you'll enjoy a light tapas lunch, stroll its charming cobbled streets, and capture unforgettable photos of vineyards, spectacular architecture, and breathtaking landscapes. A perfect blend of iconic wineries, authentic culture, and unforgettable scenery.

Itinerary

1. The tour starts from Bilbao and includes a scenic drive along the dramatic ridge of the Sierra de Cantabria mountains on our way to the Rioja wine region — a beautiful journey of approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
2. Marqués de Riscal is one of Rioja’s most historic and influential wineries, founded in 1858 and known for combining tradition with bold innovation. Its wines helped put Rioja on the world map, and today the estate is instantly recognisable thanks to the spectacular titanium-and-steel hotel designed by Frank Gehry. During your complete guided visit, you’ll explore one of the region’s pioneering wineries, learn about its winemaking legacy and enjoy a tasting of some of their emblematic wines. (1h 30min) Admission included
3. Our next stop is Ysios Winery, one of the most striking architectural landmarks in the world. Designed by the celebrated Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, the building sits dramatically at the foot of the Sierra de Cantabria, its long, undulating roof mirroring the mountain range behind it. Calatrava — known for his sculptural, light-filled works across the world — created Ysios as a kind of “temple to wine,” combining engineering precision with graceful, wave-like forms. Here we will enjoy a tasting of 2 to 3 wines while admiring the winery both inside and outside. The exterior plays with rhythm, curves and changing light, while the interior offers a calm, linear space designed to showcase the winemaking process and the ageing rooms. (1h 15min) Admission included
4. We will also visit a medieval village in Rioja, with its narrow cobbled streets, stone houses and quietly charming squares. Here you’ll enjoy a tapas lunch, included in the tour price — a relaxed way to taste regional bites while soaking in the atmosphere of this historic setting. (1h 0min)

Meeting & end point