About this tour
A nine-hour winery tour covering two acclaimed Rioja wineries—Marques de Riscal and Ysios—with full tastings, a three-course lunch, local charcuterie and cheese, and commentary on Basque history and geography. You'll also visit the historic town of Laguardia. Suits wine enthusiasts and culture-minded travellers wanting a structured introduction to the region's wine scene without requiring specialist knowledge or high fitness levels.
Highlights
- Full winery tour and tastings at both Marques de Riscal and Ysios
- Three-course lunch with wine and dessert included
- Ysios winery visit featuring striking contemporary architecture
- Local Basque cheese and cold meats tasting
- Walking tour of the medieval town of Laguardia
- Narration of Basque history, geography and regional context
- Flexible pickup and drop-off across San Sebastian and Bilbao
- Accessible to all fitness levels
What to expect
You'll be collected from your hotel or a central meeting point in the morning—pickup time varies depending on group size and location. The day begins at Marques de Riscal with a comprehensive winery tour, followed by tastings paired with local cheese and cured meats. You'll then travel to Laguardia, the region's historic medieval town, for a walking visit. Lunch—a three-course menu del día style meal with wine and dessert—follows next. The afternoon includes a full tour and premium wine tasting at Ysios winery, known for its distinctive architecture. Your guide will weave in Basque history and regional context throughout. The tour concludes by late afternoon, with drop-off at your requested location.
What travellers say
- Two major wineries and tastings in a single day covers substantial ground
- Ysios architecture alone justifies the visit for design and wine enthusiasts
- Lunch and regional tastings add cultural context beyond wine alone
- Laguardia medieval town break gives pacing variety and historical context
- Flexible scheduling and multi-city drop-off options suit varied itineraries
- Early pickup times can be inconvenient for night owls or late sleepers
- Lunch is casual menu del día style, not gourmet or fine dining
- Minimum group size of four required; small parties risk cancellation risk
- Nine hours is intensive; limited free time within wineries or town
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This suits anyone keen on wine appreciation, architecture and cultural history, whether you're a casual drinker or keener enthusiast. No specialist wine knowledge is required. The tour runs with a minimum of four people; couples should book via the website to confirm availability. Early pickup times (sometimes 7:15 am) are possible if collecting multiple parties. The lunch is described as straightforward and healthy rather than fine dining—it's a practical component of a wine-focused itinerary, not a culinary experience. Suitable for all fitness levels. Optional guide tips are appreciated. Tours in English are standard; check the website if you need Spanish-language narration. Public transport is available nearby as an alternative. A liability waiver applies to all participants.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BookNow summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.