Rioja Bike Tour

Your DuVine guides will greet you in downtown Bilbao, and then we’re off to our luxurious hotel designed by iconic architect Frank O. Gehry. After a safety review and bike fitting, we’ll head out on our first ride through the Tempranillo vineyards of La Rioja before returning to Elciego for lunch at our hotel’s wine bar. Tonight we’ll get to know each other over an apéritif, then kick off the week with a classic Rioja-style feast at our hotel.

Meals: Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Bilbao, Elciego
Accomplished: 16 miles / 26 km, elevation gain: 1,309 feet / 399 meters
Longer Option: 20 miles / 35 km, elevation gain: 1,650 feet / 500 meters
Accommodations: Hotel Marqués de Riscal or Palacio de Samaniego or Hotel Echaurren

Today, take your pick between an easygoing or more challenging route. We’ll ride out of Elciego along a ridge high above the vineyards, then meet the Ebro river after descending through the town of Lapuebla de Labarca. Our destination is the medieval town of Laguardia, which sits upon a warren of 300 cellars carved from rock in the Middle Ages. These cellars—called calados—were once hideaways to protect townspeople in times of turmoil, but they’ve since been re-purposed as subterranean wine storage. The ancient calados are a striking contrast to the many ultra-modern wineries that have cropped up since Spain joined the European Union. We’re headed to one of these high-design wineries for a tapas-style lunch overlooking the Sierra Cantabria mountains. Tonight, our friend Irene hosts us at her family-run winery for a homemade dinner of vine wood-barbecued tuna, which pairs beautifully with a selection of her estate wines.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Lapuebla de Labarca, Laguardia, Elciego
Accomplished: 24 miles / 38 km, elevation gain: 2,000 feet / 615 meters
Longer Option: 29 miles / 47 km, elevation gain: 2,600 feet / 797 meters
Accommodations: Hotel Marqués de Riscal or Palacio de Samaniego or Palacio Tondón

Today we cruise south to the 11th-century UNESCO World Heritage Monastery of Yuso, considered the birthplace of the Spanish language. We’ll pass pilgrims as they hike this section of the 500-mile Camino de Santiago, stopping for our own visit at this historic monument. Right across the road, break for lunch and a glass of fruit-forward local wine (or an ice-cold cerveza). Choose to bike back to our hotel, or transfer by van for more relaxation time by the pool or at the spa. Dinner tonight will be at your leisure—our guides are happy to escort you to the nearby city of Logroño for an authentic tapeo along the famous Calle del Laurel. Try out the local tradition of hopping between your choice of the 50-plus tapas bars, sampling different interpretations of appetizer-sized bites.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch
Destinations: Najera, San Millan de la Cogolla
Accomplished: 23 miles / 37 km, elevation gain: 1,594 feet / 486 meters
Longer Option: 46 miles / 73 km, elevation gain: 2,300 feet / 700 meters
Accommodations: Hotel Marqués de Riscal or Palacio de Samaniego or Palacio Tondón

The day begins with a ride to Bodegas Vivanco, a family winery that’s also Spain’s largest private museum of wine accoutrements and art. Back on our bikes, we’ll pedal to the wine town of Haro for lunch at a historic winery, located in the heart of the railway-station quarter. Inaugurated in 1863, the railway was built to transport Rioja wines to Bilbao and beyond, bringing them to export markets around the world—many of the region’s best-known wine houses established a home base here. Afterwards, opt to complete the ride to our next hotel or take it easy with a van transfer. Return to Haro for tonight’s dinner at a family-owned restaurant that’s been serving its famous slow-roasted lamb since 1870.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Briones, San Vicente de la Sonsierra, Haro, Briñas
Accomplished: 27 miles / 44 km, elevation gain: 2,250 feet / 686 meters
Longer Option: 24 miles / 39 km, elevation gain: 1,970 feet / 600 meters
Accommodations: Palacio Tondón or Hotel Marqués de Riscal or Palacio de Samaniego

Bid farewell to the charming village of Briñas as we bike back through Haro and into the open countryside. Along the way, we’ll encounter a 2,000-year-old Roman bridge, sleepy medieval villages, and the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage town of Santo Domingo de la Calzada. Our route follows the Rio Oja—the river which gives this region its name—to the charming village of Ezcaray. After a light lunch, choose to add some extra miles into the hills beyond town or stick with the short ride that takes us to our boutique Relais & Châteaux hotel. This afternoon, stroll into the village, enjoy a glass of wine in the main square, or visit a luxury scarf and blanket weaver to pick up some special souvenirs. Celebrate our week together with tonight’s show-stopping dinner at El Portal, the hotel’s two-Michelin-star restaurant, created for us by Chef Francis Paniego and accompanied by a selection of hand-picked Rioja wines.

Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Haro, Ezcaray
Accomplished: 29 miles / 46 km, elevation gain: 1,725 feet / 526 meters
Longer Option: 44 miles / 71 km, elevation gain: 2,800 feet / 860 meters
Accommodations: Hotel Echaurren or Hotel Marqués de Riscal or Palacio de Samaniego

Bid farewell to La Rioja, its wines, medieval architecture, sumptuous gastronomy, and stunning landscapes. We transfer back to Bilbao where your guides will take you to your post-trip hotel or Bilbao airport.

Meal: Breakfast