BILBO CITY TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Glass and Stone: An Architectural Sweep Through Rioja from Bilbo
An 8-hour journey from Bilbo that pairs landmark winery architecture with guided tastings, a pintxo lunch and a stroll through medieval Laguardia—this guide helps you navigate what’s included and what to expect.
Glass and Stone: An Architectural Sweep Through Rioja from Bilbo.
Experience the breathtaking beauty of Rioja in an eight-hour outing that blends standout contemporary architecture, vineyard panoramas, and regional gastronomy. The route highlights two of the region’s most photographed wineries, a curated tasting of local wines with pintxos, and time to roam the medieval streets of Laguardia—an immersive day that balances design, terroir and culture.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Iconic winery design
The tour centers on two celebrated Rioja wineries whose buildings are considered among the most striking in the wine world, created by the likes of Franck Gehry and Santiago Calatrava — an architectural throughline that frames vineyard views and cellar visits.
Curated tastings and local pairings
Expect a structured tasting of multiple Rioja wines during the day, paired with regional pintxos and local cuisine—an introduction to the area’s flavors designed to complement the visits to the cellars.
Medieval Laguardia
A visit to the medieval village of Laguardia provides a historic counterpoint to the modern winery architecture, and includes a stop for lunch in a local bar where pintxos are paired with regional wine.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
From departure to return you move between architectural focal points and tasting rooms, with a private guide shepherding the day's rhythm: winery visits interspersed with curated tastings, a bar lunch of Riojano pintxos paired with wine, and time to photograph and explore the stone lanes of Laguardia—all condensed into a full, eight-hour outing.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this day is for — and who should reconsider.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
This is a full-day outing lasting eight hours.
The operator’s materials do not list specific gear requirements.
The price includes a private guide, visits to two wineries and lunch featuring three pintxos paired with local wine in Laguardia; tastings at the wineries are semi-private and cellars can be in high demand.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the tour?
The outing is eight hours long.
Which wineries are included?
The itinerary visits Ysios and Marques de Riscal; if Ysios is closed to visitors the tour may include a tasting at Carlos San Pedro as an upgrade.
Are tastings and lunch included?
Yes—the day includes tastings at the wineries and lunch in Laguardia with three pintxos paired with local wine; the overall program features multiple wine tastings throughout the day.
Is there an age restriction?
Participants must be 18 years or older.
Are the cellar visits private?
Winery visits are described as semi-private because cellars often experience high demand; the operator provides a private guide for the day.