Rioja and the Basque Country
Experience the wines and wineries of Rioja and the Basque Country.
Along with food, culture, history and architecture.
An unforgettable weeklong trip led by Tyler Colman, Ph.D., organized exclusively for your small group.
7 days/6 nights
Limited to 12 guests
Spring and fall departures
Rioja: where tradition meets modernity
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Meet winemakers
Talk with some of the leaders in the industry
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Dive into cellars
Go back in time with slumbering bottles
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Taste wines
Sharpen the palate with comparative tastings
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Explore cuisine
Fine dining as well as local grills, seafood and tapas
Where will we stay?
4 nights in Rioja
In a restored building dating to the 16th century on the banks of the Ebro river
2 nights in San Sebastian
In oceanfront rooms overlooking the famous beach, La Concha
3 reasons to travel with Tyler
Tyler got into wine writing the way so many people do: by writing his Ph.D. dissertation on the political economy of wine in France and the US.
He knows wine
Tyler has written two wine books, contributed numerous articles to places like Food & Wine and the New York Times, and his writing has been nominated for a James Beard award. Tyler taught wine classes at NYU for ten years and at the University of Chicago for five. He has led numerous corporate and private events and organized over 200 wine tastings on Zoom, many with winemakers.
He knows wine people
His deep knowledge of the wine industry means this tour will go to significant wineries and meet the people who are telling the important stories of Rioja wine today. Some of these do not usually receive visitors.
It’s a snob-free zone
Two words that go together frequently are “wine” and “snob.” Fortunately, the tone of this trip is fun and informative. It will be an amazing, immersive opportunity to expand your wine knowledge no matter what level you bring to the start.
A sample itinerary
This tour begins in Bilbao—please plan on arriving the day before. (Suggested hotel: The Artist.) It ends in San Sebastian (a little over an hour from Bilbao airport).
Sunday: We meet in Bilbao in the morning. We will then head to a private tour of the Guggenheim Bilbao museum designed by Frank Gehry. After a chance to explore Bilbao’s numerous lunch options, we head to Rioja. We will have a welcome to Rioja with a winemaker joining us at dinner.
Monday: A visit to two historic wineries (the wineries are across the street from each other) followed by traditional Rioja group lunch. Free for dinner.
Tuesday: Historic winery visit followed by a garage winery visit and tasting, free for lunch in a medieval hill town, relax after lunch. Gourmet group dinner.
Wednesday: Boutique winery visit + winery visit + group lunch at a local grill. Free for dinner.
Thursday: 9 AM departure for a guided tour of Pamplona, free for lunch, then to San Sebastian. Gourmet group dinner.
Friday: late morning departure for a Txakoli winery visit overlooking the Bay of Biscay (picture above). Then will head down the hill to Getaria, a handsome seaside village. We will stop at the museum of native son Cristóbal Balenciaga, haute couture icon, then head for a seafood group lunch by the marina and port We will then head back to San Sebastian (30-minute drive) for free time. Day concludes with tapas grazing in the old town of San Sebastian.
Saturday: trip ends after breakfast.
***These are placeholders; exact details to follow. Winery visits will include historic cellars as well as smaller producers.
“Tyler set an outstanding tone for the group - knowledgeable, relaxed, humorous and engaging. The group dynamic made every activity superb.”
-Gale
“I would give it 10 stars if I could!”
-Tracy
“It was truly a fantastic two weeks. The accommodations were A+. The size of the group was ideal.”
-Norma
“Thank you for a wonderful experience. Looking forward to the next tour!”
- Frank
Book Rioja and the Basque Country today
Reserve your spot now for $500 per traveler, fully refundable for 30 days.
The remaining balance is due January 30, 2024.
Got a question? Don’t hesitate to ask.
Terms & Conditions are here.
Some questions. Answered.
What’s included?
This tour includes six nights at hotels, breakfast at the hotel each morning, one group meal a day (three lunches and three dinners), transportation to events on the itinerary, and all winery and cultural visits. A reasonable amount of wine with group meals is included. There is also no need to tip anyone on this tour.
What’s not included?
Not included: airfare, airport transfers, travel insurance, meals not on the itinerary, wine beyond the set wines with dinner, and personal incidentals such as room service or laundry.
Should I get travel insurance?
We recommend travel insurance. Some credit cards offer insurance included or for purchase. Please note that some “cancel for any reason” policies must be purchased within two weeks of the initial deposit.
Who’s going?
This trip is offered exclusively to your group.
Can solo travelers go?
Absolutely! There is a supplement for single occupancy. It is a great way to meet people.
What documents are needed?
Just a valid US passport.
What’s the cancelation policy?
Your initial deposit is fully refundable for 30 days. After that, it is non-refundable. A second payment is due on October 30. That is also refundable for 30 days. The final payment is due January 30 and the trip will be non-refundable after that.
Where should we fly into?
The tour starts in Bilbao and ends in San Sebastian (one hour from Bilbao airport). Bilbao is accessible from the US via connecting flight, either Madrid or London, Amsterdam, or Paris.
How much walking is there?
Travelers should be able to walk two miles a day (5,000 steps), some of it on paths, cobbled streets or in vineyards. Travelers should be comfortable with a couple of flights of stairs.
I don’t know that much about wine. Should I go?
Yes! If you want to learn more about wine, this is an unparalleled way to do it. No advance knowledge is required. Also, there cultural stops and excellent meals.
