Haro is the wine capital of northern Spain. This is where the French went in desperation in the 19th century, when phylloxera devastated their vineyards and the country was left without grapes. It was then that they began to take a chance on developing a quality wine industry in the region. One hundred-plus years later, they’ve succeeded. And wow, have they succeeded.

Malolactic fermentation? Protected Designation of Origin? Young, Reserve or Great Reserve? Vintage? Pituitary? Do any of these words sound familiar to you? Probably not. When the tour ends, if the vapors of the wine allow, you’ll know the meanings of all of them. Rioja is such a rich wine region that it includes many types of wineries: there are classic ones with legendary vintages (we’ll visit them, we’ll taste them); there are small, family-run bodegas who take risks with young and daring wines (we’ll visit and taste them, too); and there are centuries-old winereris, devoted to a traditional wine: is it necessary to say that we will also visit and taste them? You’ll choose the fourth winery according to your tastes: a classic winery, or a young and experimental one? What’s your favorite grape? Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo or Maturana? The choice is yours.

Until a few years ago, Elciego was just another beautiful town in La Rioja Alavesa with a huge Baroque church and many wineries. All that changed in 2006 with the inauguration of the new Marqués de Riscal wineries designed by Frank O. Gehry, a titanium whirlpool that floats over the sea of ​​vineyards.