Wine Rioja

La Rioja Wine Tour- The McLarin Selection

We are returning to La Rioja for our final wine tour of the year which has always been a popular destination for both ourselves and our supporters. A perfect welcome, good food and wine awaits ,as ever, and we’d recommend early booking to avoid disappointment.

We sail from Plymouth on Sunday at 1745 and after you’ve settled in and sniffed the sea airs we’ll have dinner together in the La Flora restaurant.

On Monday Enjoy the sea cruise as we pass through the Bay of Biscay to Santander where we arrive at 1530. Following disembarkation we set off southwards for Logroño and anticipate arriving around 1800. After checking into the central 4* Hotel Mercure Carlton Rioja where we stay for 7 nights we will have dinner at Restaurante Wine Fandango.

Tuesday today we go east to Rioja Oriental (formerly Rioja Baja) where at Azabache-

We will start with a guided tour of the vineyards, where you will learn about the grape varieties, the growing process, and the history of the area.
Picnic among the vineyards: After the tour, we will enjoy a lovely picnic right in the heart of the vineyards. This will include a selection of local cheeses, cured meats, fresh bread, and, of course, our wines.
Visit to the new barrel room at Viñedos de Aldeanueva: This is a newly added feature to our tour. The barrel room is state-of-the-art, and I believe you will find it fascinating. Here, you will see how the wines are aged and stored.
Visit to Fincas de Azabache: We will then head to Fincas de Azabache for another tour, where you will get an in-depth look at their winemaking process.
Tasting from the tanks: At Fincas de Azabache, you will have the unique opportunity to taste wines directly from the tanks, experiencing the different stages of wine development.
Tasting in the tasting room: Following the tank tasting, we will move to the tasting room where you can sample a selection of our finest wines in a relaxed setting.
Lunch at Fincas de Azabache restaurant: To cap off the day, we will have lunch at the restaurant located at Fincas. The meal will feature local cuisine paired with our wines.

Then it is back to the hotel and another free evening to enjoy the tapas bars of Calle Laurel.

Wednesday - our first visit today is to the important wine village of San Vincente de la Sonsierra to visit Bodegas Classica Hacienda Lopez de Haro situated between the mountains and the River Ebro.
From here we drive to Bodegas Baigorri in the Rioja Alavesa at Samaniego, this astonishing very modern winery sits like a glass box on top of a hill but descends into the ground through seven stories with each floor open at the centre, we will be able to see the whole wine making process from one floor. We will have a classic Riojan lunch accompanied by four of their highly rated wines. Return to hotel for a free evening.

Thursday our first visit today is to Bodega Eguren Ugarte recommended as one of the best vineyards in the World! After tasting we will have lunch on the estate before we resume our travels,this time to Cenicero and Marques de Caceres. Return to hotel for a free evening.

Friday We drive northwards this morning to Haro, generally referred to as the Home of Rioja and our first visit is to Bodegas Bilbainas in the town centre. For lunch we cross to the other side of the main road to Casalarreina and La Vieja Bodega, which is not a bodega but a restaurant where we’ll have lunch.We return to the hotel to rest and freshen up then we visit Bodegas Franco Españolas for early evening drinks.A feature here will be a comparison of Rioja and Ribera wines. Returning to the hotel you'll easily be diverted to Calle Laurel!

Saturday This morning we will visit Bodegas Piscina Ramirez. The afternoon is free for individual sightseeing and shopping. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Sunday A leisurely day with a sightseeing trip to Vitoria, once voted as the most desirable city in Spain in which to reside. It has two cathedrals to attract your interest. Return to Longroñofor dinner and final overnight.

Monday We leave Logroño this morning and set off for the coast. We’’ ll stop in Haro en route to visit Bodegas Ramon Bilbao before continuing to the coast .Our final leg of the tour is to Santander where we catch the 1830 sailing to England. We’ll have dinner together in La Flora restaurant this evening.

Tuesday As ever, enjoy the sea crossing- it's very much part of the holiday.We arrive at Plymouth at 1530 and then the coach will return to the original pick up points.

Departure date

September 22nd	£1825

Online Booking Click Here

What’s included: travel by coach; ferry crossings with a 2-berth cabin; 7 nights accommodation at 4* hotel with breakfast; all visits as described; meals as described at sea and inland; Tour Escort

£300 (Cabin & Hotel room)

Pick up Points: -Exeter-Newton Abbot-Plymouth