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For additional history, visit the Cathedral of the best and most efficient tasting experiences
Santa María de la Redonda, a Gothic classic with individual attention from winery staff,
with an interior ideal for contemplation, sur- and better selections of wines. If you don’t
rounded by colorful relics and religious sym- have a guide, contact wineries directly a few
bols. To engage again with nature, stroll along weeks in advance to arrange tours and tast-
the Paseo del Espolón promenade on the Ebro ings.
River, which meanders through the region and To concentrate your tasting efforts, tour the
is lined with vineyards. Barrio de la Estación wine district. It has sev-
Restaurants to try include Terete, which eral renowned wineries within a block or two
serves beautifully presented dishes showcasing of each other. These include Bodegas Muga,
regional ingredients and has a memorable Bodegas Bilbaínas, CVNE, La Rio Alta, and
wine list. It is popular for Bodegas Roda.
tapas, too. For more ele- Other noted bodegas are:
gant dining, try Tondeluna, López de Heredia, founded
with offers a contemporary in 1877; Gomez Cruzado,
tasting menu with wine founded in 1886; Ysio, de-
pairings, or Ikaro, with signed by Calatrava, the
creative cuisine from chefs winery building itself is a
Marta and Diego Guerrero. work of art; and Bai Gorri,
Haro - Wine Museums, a modern masterpiece
Bodegas and Tastings flowing down the hillside,
Haro is the wine capital where all movement of
of Rioja and is home to grapes and wine is done by
several excellent museums gravity, moving from sort-
that showcase the history ing tables on a top floor to
and culture of winemaking bottling wine on a lower
in the region. We recom- level.
mend visiting the Museo The Vivanco Museum of
del Vino (Wine Museum), Wine Culture is just five
to gain insights into Rioja miles from Haro in the
wine before exploring small town of Briones
Haro's many bodegas. The museum, in the (Museo de la Cultura del Vino Vivanco). Take a
center of Haro, off the Plaza de la Paz, in a preview 3D tour of the museum on the website
beautiful 18th-century manor house, has in- and explore its extensive collection of wine-re-
formative exhibits on the history and produc- lated artifacts and exhibits, themed galleries
tion of Rioja wines, with artifacts including that showcase the art, culture, and science of
glassware, barrels, and tools of the trade. winemaking. It features exhibits on grape cul-
Approximately 90% of Rioja's wine produc- tivation, barrel making, and modern winemak-
tion is red wine, led by Tempranillo at 87.7%. ing techniques. The museum offers guided
White wine is about 9% (Viura, 68.7%; Tem- wine tastings and tours of the museum's vine-
pranillo Blanco, 12.6%; Verdejo, 5.4%). Only yards, in Spanish and English.
about 1% of wine from Rioja is rosé and pri- Laguardia Medieval Town and Vineyards
marily made from Garnacha and Tempranillo For a step back in time, spend a half day in
grapes (For more, see the separate sidebar: Laguardia, a beautiful medieval walled town
Quick Guide to Spanish Wines). just 11 miles from Logroño. The name comes
Arranging for visits with local guides ensures from 'the Guard of Navarre', the defensive bas-
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