Why Wine Lovers Are Quietly Swapping Tuscany for Rioja: 6 Wineries You Need to Visit

Why Wine Lovers Are Quietly Swapping Tuscany for Rioja: 6 Wineries You Need to Visit

For many Australian wine lovers, Italy is the first choice for a European wine holiday. You picture long lunches in Tuscany, family-run vineyards in Piedmont or cellar doors tucked into medieval villages.

But just over the border in northern Spain lies one of Europe’s great wine regions, and surprisingly, it’s still under the radar.

La Rioja is Spain’s most celebrated wine region, home to more than 500 wineries and the country’s highest wine classification, DOCa Rioja. Yet unlike some of Europe’s better-known wine destinations, it remains wonderfully relaxed. Medieval villages sit among rolling vineyards, family-run bodegas stand beside striking contemporary architecture, and exceptional wine is part of everyday life.

Whether you’re discovering Rioja for the first time or adding it to a wider journey through northern Spain, these are six wineries that deserve a place on your itinerary.

1. Casa Primicia: Wine with 500 Years of History

Set within the fortified village of Laguardia, Casa Primicia is believed to be one of Rioja Alavesa’s oldest wineries. The historic stone building once collected tithes for the local church before becoming a winery centuries ago.

Today, tradition remains at the heart of every visit. As you wander through ancient underground cellars before tasting their elegant Tempranillo wines, it’s easy to appreciate how deeply wine has shaped this region’s identity.

Take time afterwards to explore Laguardia itself. Its cobbled streets, medieval walls and vineyard views make it one of Rioja’s most charming villages.

2. Bodegas Lecea: Step Inside Rioja’s Underground Cellars

Image from Bodegas Lecea

Image from Bodegas Lecea

Image from Bodegas Lecea

Image from Bodegas Lecea

If you want to understand how Rioja wines were made long before modern wineries, Bodegas Lecea offers one of the region’s most authentic experiences.

Family owned for generations, the winery still uses its original underground cellars carved beneath the village of San Asensio. Walking through these tunnels feels like stepping back in time, while hearing directly from the family adds a personal connection that larger wineries often can’t match.

It’s one of those visits that reminds you wine is as much about people and tradition as it is about what’s in the glass.

3. Gómez Cruzado: A Boutique Winery in Rioja’s Historic Wine Quarter

Image from Bodegas Lecea

Image from Bodegas Gomez Cruzado

Image from Bodegas Gomez Cruzado

Image from Bodegas Gomez Cruzado

In the heart of Haro’s famous Barrio de la Estación sits Gómez Cruzado, one of Rioja’s oldest boutique wineries.

Founded in 1886, it combines traditional Rioja winemaking with a fresh approach, producing elegant wines that express the distinct character of Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa vineyards. The experience feels intimate, with a strong focus on the vineyards and the stories behind each wine.

For anyone wanting to understand classic Rioja, this is an essential stop.

4. Eguren Ugarte: Wine with One of Rioja’s Best Views

Image from Eguren Ugarte

Image from Erugen Ugarte

Image from Eguren Ugarte

Image from Eguren Ugarte

Few wineries enjoy a setting quite like Eguren Ugarte.

Overlooking endless rows of vineyards beneath the Sierra de Cantabria, it’s the kind of place where you’ll want to linger over lunch with a glass of wine long after the tasting has finished.

The family has been producing wine for generations, and a visit combines underground cellars, premium tastings and panoramic views that capture the beauty of Rioja Alavesa.

5. Marqués de Riscal: Where Architecture Meets Winemaking

Even if you’ve never heard of Marqués de Riscal, you’ve probably seen photographs of it.

Designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, the titanium ribbons that wrap around the winery have become one of Spain’s most recognisable buildings. Behind the striking architecture lies one of Rioja’s most historic wine producers, founded in 1858 and recognised for helping shape modern Rioja winemaking.

The combination of history, innovation and architecture makes it one of Europe’s most memorable winery visits.

6. Ysios: A Modern Rioja Icon

With the Sierra de Cantabria rising behind it, Ysios is impossible to miss.

Designed by Santiago Calatrava, the wave-shaped winery mirrors the mountains that frame it, creating one of Rioja’s most photographed landmarks. Inside, the focus is equally impressive, with small-production wines showcasing the character of Rioja Alavesa’s vineyards.

It’s a reminder that Rioja continues to evolve while remaining deeply connected to its winemaking heritage.

Don’t Miss the Vivanco Museum of Wine Culture

If there’s one place that brings Rioja’s story together, it’s the Vivanco Museum of Wine Culture in Briones.

Widely regarded as one of the world’s leading museums dedicated to wine, it explores more than 8,000 years of winemaking through archaeology, art, history and interactive exhibits. Beyond the galleries, you’ll find a remarkable collection of grape varieties in the Garden of Bacchus and a winery that continues the Vivanco family’s long connection to Rioja.

Even for seasoned wine enthusiasts, it’s a fascinating way to understand how wine has shaped cultures across the world.

Experience Rioja with Ormina Tours

The beauty of La Rioja isn’t found in visiting just one famous winery. It’s in wandering medieval villages between tastings, meeting passionate winemakers, and discovering how every valley, vineyard and cellar tells a different story.

If Rioja is your main reason for travelling to Spain, our La Rioja Regional Wine Discovery is dedicated entirely to the region. Spend your days exploring celebrated wineries, historic villages such as Laguardia and Haro, and the landscapes that have made Rioja one of Europe’s great wine destinations.

If you’re looking to combine Rioja with the cultural highlights of northern Spain, our Northern Spain: Basque Country, Rioja and Madrid journey pairs exceptional wine experiences with San Sebastián, Pamplona, Burgos, Salamanca and Madrid, creating the perfect introduction to northern Spain’s food, history and wine.

Or, for travellers wanting to combine Rioja with Spain’s celebrated Basque coast and neighbouring France, our Best of the Basque Country, Rioja & the French Coast blends world-class wineries with coastal villages, Basque gastronomy and the elegance of southwest France.

Whichever journey you choose, you’ll visit carefully selected wineries, meet the people behind the wines, and experience Rioja the way it should be discovered: slowly, thoughtfully and with a glass of Tempranillo never too far away.

Want a bespoke tour? Plan your tailored session with our wonderful Europe Tour Advisors here.