Destination: La Rioja

Our journey continues to La Rioja, Spain's famous wine country, where our Fall 2022 Collection will take us from each enthralling destination to the next. La Rioja is a world of delightful juxtapositions: sprawling walled villages set against majestic mountain ranges, modern architecture overlooking centuries-old estates, the wide expanse of infinite vineyards built on top of a network of cavernous underground wineries. Join us on an elegant adventure as we eat, drink, and explore our way through magnificent La Rioja.


 

WELCOME TO LA RIOJA

La Rioja, located a short train ride south of Bilbao, offers a bevy of world-class wines, living history, and dramatic scenery, which we can't wait to soak up on this Spanish getaway. Our mix-and-match knit Logan Sweater and London Pants make the perfect set to take us from charming vineyards in the Spanish countryside into town to enjoy the local cuisine for dinner. The capital city of Logroño's winding cobblestone streets lead to Calle Laurel, where we partake in a tapas (or pinxtos) crawl from one bar to the next. Throughout the region, we find other delicious restaurants offering innovative takes on traditional Basque cooking.

THE ART OF WINE

You don't have to be a sommelier to enjoy Spain's incredible wine country. With wine tours aplenty, there's no shortage of options for us to learn about the region's signature wines. For a fun introduction, we seek out the Barrio de la Estación, a historic street near the village of Haro boasting a famous door-to-door wine tasting experience. With so many renowned wineries to choose from, we're delighted to find the perfect glass.


INTO THE VINEYARDS

The wines of the Rioja region are well known for their strict approval and wide variety. Spain's indigenous Tempranillo grapes may be the backbone of Rioja's famed red wines, but the region's Garnacha, Viura, Granacha Blanca, Tempranillo Blanca, and other grape varietals lend themselves to a wide and exciting range of fantastic red, white, and rosé bottlings. We've made appointments at a few of the region's over 500 wineries, called bodegas, many of which still use the same production techniques since their founding.

UNDERGROUND DELIGHT

For a truly awe-inspiring experience, we head to the underground San Pedro wine caves of nearby Laguardia. The locals have mentioned that there's a hidden underground "village" made of tunnels that connect one winery to another. Traditional winemaking is king here, as we learn during a guided demonstration about carbonic maceration deep underground. Our tour is accompanied by tastings, of course, as we continue our adventure through Spain's wine country.

MEDIEVAL MEDITATION

Another rich part of Rioja's culture is its famed medieval architecture, including the UNESCO World Heritage sites of the ancient Monasterio de San Millán, home to the Yuso and Suso monasteries. We find peace and sanctuary on these holy grounds, which have stood at the heart of La Rioja for many centuries. Among its rich history are its preserved relics, including documents with the first evidence of written Spanish language. 

As we wind down our journey through the Spanish countryside, we make sure to document every delicious sip, local bite, and breathtaking view. As always, we're already planning our next elegant adventure—we hope you’ll join us!