September is an Exciting Time in La Rioja, Spain

In northern Spain, in the Iberian Peninsula, you will find one of Spain’s best wine destinations in La Rioja.  This area of Spain sits below the Cantabrian Mountains in the Ebro valley and is a great region to spend time in nature and exploring the many family-owned vineyards. The region is approximately an hour and a half from Bilbao, Spain.  

​The region is where you will find the Sierra de Cebollera Natural Park.  In the park, you will find a diverse ecosystem where you can explore the many forests and high mountain peaks.  One of the UNESCO World Heritage sites is in this region is the San Millan Yuso and Suso Monasteries.  This community was founded in the mid 6th century and is a popular pilgrimage site.  This monastery is famous since it was the site of the first book written in Castilian, which was the language that spoken Spanish was derived from.

September is an exciting time in La Rioja, Spain. It marks the beginning of harvest – when just ripe grapes are plucked carefully from the vines where they will undergo a magic transformation over the next several months—the end result – a delicious Rioja wine that showcases the unique terroir of the region.

While visiting the region, we recommend booking a winery and vineyard tour at Bodega Dehesa de Luna. This 15-year-old vineyard has been designed with a deep respect for nature and is farmed organically. The vineyard has been designed to embrace nature. In the tasting room, you can try a sample of unique wines and enjoy locally sourced pintxos (tapas) like Iberian ham with your wine tasting.

A great spot to rest your head after a day of wine tasting in the area is in Bilbao, the Gran Hotel Domine Bilbao. The Gran Hotel Domine, newly renovated, is an oasis of luxury. Its spacious ambiance, extraordinary service, passion for art and design, and elegant and cosmopolitan style are sure to please. Situated in Bilbao´s art district, opposite the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and close to the city´s main attractions, this hotel offers the only suites in the city with private terraces and breathtaking views of the city and the museum.

On the seventh floor of the hotel, there is the rooftop terrace, a perfect place to enjoy breakfast in the morning or cocktails in the evening. This incredible space offers panoramic views of Bilbao and the cities amazing architecture. Beltz restaurant is a fine dining restaurant with a weekly Chef’s menu and provides the freshest market to table Basque cuisine. At this time, this fantastic property is currently closed due to Covid19 but is waiting to welcome back its guests to enjoy the hotel that is the perfect place for wellness, culture, and cuisine.

Whether you are into adventure or wine, the La Rioja area is a great destination to stop on your Spain vacation. ​To bring a taste of Spain home, check out this amazing Tempranillo from La Mancha, Spain.