Echaurren (see our list of options and menus in the appendix).

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2 In medieval times, Rioja lay on the borders of powerful kingdoms-aragon, Navarra, the Basques and León, who all fought over it. Beautifully preserved, walled hilltop towns like Briones, San Vicente and especially Laguardia testify to the struggle for control. But the way of St. James, the pilgrimage route from the rest of Europe to the apostle s believed burial site in Galicia, also runs through the valley, and over the years it brought an influx of monks and pilgrims, bringing ideas and culture from the world beyond. Rioja s winemakers have been actively seeking out pilgrims of a different sort for more than a decade now. As Spain s wine industry modernized and looked to foreign markets, Rioja s producers built gleaming bodegas, employing top architects like Frank Gehry and Santiago Calatrava to redefine what a winery can look like. As for the local cuisine, Rioja is currently at a crossroads. Spain s gastronomic revolution has just begun to trickle down here. A new generation of chefs, many of whom have trained in top kitchens in San Sebastián, are experimenting with new techniques. The best-known and most promising is young Francis Paniego, just 39, who studied under Ferran Adrià and won the region s first Michelin star at his family s quiet inn, Echaurren (see our list of options and menus in the appendix). As for the local cuisine, Rioja is currently at a crossroads. Spain s gastronomic revolution has just begun to trickle down here. A new generation of chefs, many of whom have trained in top kitchens in San Sebastián, are experimenting with new techniques. The best-known and most promising is young Francis Paniego, just 39, who studied under Ferran Adrià and won the region s first Michelin star at his family s quiet inn, Echaurren. Others are following his example, but most of Rioja s best restaurants continue to focus on more traditional local fare. This is a rich farming region, known for sheep and for fresh vegetables. Fresh artichokes, white asparagus, roasted red peppers, mushrooms-the best chefs find good ingredients like these and prepare them simply. Fabulous Ibérico ham is a staple. And local grilled lamb is not only delicious, but a perfect accompaniment to a bottle of Rioja, whether it s several decades old or from a more modern, cutting-edge bodega. Rioja is a year-round destination, with a pleasant climate. The best months to visit are April, May, September and October. This a traditional Spanish region-lunch is generally served from 1:30 pm to 3:30 p.m., and shops close for a siesta. Dinner begins at 9 p.m. Many restaurants and wineries are closed in August, and most wineries require that you make reservations for tours.

3 The anchor villages are Logrono, Haro, Lagaurdia. Haro has a concentration of wineries to visit (detailed in the winery section). Everything is about minutes from where we are staying in Elciego: WINE ROUTE 1 km. 0.6 miles LAGUARDIA VILLAGE 5.2 km. 3.2 miles LOGROÑO CITY 24 km miles WINE MUSEUM 20 km miles (Haro) GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM IN BILBAO 110 km miles

4 Logrono Note: hard to navigate by car - suggestion on sites to park outside and walk. Sights: architecture, bridges, Calle Laurel Tapas bars

5 HARO Sights: Activities: wineries, the wine museum, and the Basilica de Nuestra Señora de la Vega shopping, wineries, Hot Air Balloon Rides

6 Laguardia (Guardia) Capital of Rioja Sights: wineries, Santa María de los Reyes, Plaza Mayor, Paseo del Collado

7 Roda - FABULOUS WINE - HIGH REC Architect: Llimona Ruiz-Recorder Location: Haro, Spain 10:00 and 12:00 Monday Sat Luxury Visit - 50E/person 2 hours Winery visit 10E 10am and 12 pm López de Heredia - so so wines. lovely tour, but could miss. Architect: Gustav Eiffel and Zaha Hadid (tasting room) Location: Haro, Spain Monday Sat tours must reserve (2 hours visit) Wine tasting in the shop Monday sat 10-7

8 Bodegas Baigorri DO THE LUNCH - AMAZING Architect: Iñaki Aspiazu FOOD AND WINE Location: Samaniego, Spain 11 and 1 Vina Real Architect: Philippe Mazieres Location: Cerro de la Mesa, Rioja Alvesa, Spain 10, 11:30, 12, 13, 16:30, 17 (no sports costumes! :)) 60 minutes / 10E // reserve ahead

9 CVNE Location: Gaurdia, Spain VERY GOOD GRAN RESERVA 10, 11:30, 12, 13, 16:30, 17 (no sports costumes! :)) 60 minutes / 10E // reserve ahead Bodega Ysios NOT TO BE MISSED Architect: Santiago Calatrava Location: Laguardia, Spain 11am, 1 pm, and 4 pm

10 Marques de Riscal, Hotel Marques de Riscal At the Michelin star and Repsol sun-awarded restaurant Marques de Riscal, exquisite dishes created by the prestigious Chef Francis Paniego can be tasted. (Paniego appears to be the Tom Colicchio of Rioja) menu: AMAZING HOTEL AND LOVELY RESTAURANT - VERY GOOD Dinastia Vivanco, wine museum restaurant, Haro Echaurren Tradición is nowadays a part of the La Rioja s traditional cuisine and the merit comes from our mother, Marisa Sanchez. She has recollected and transmitted to the restaurant s menu a handfull of unforgettable receipts, which are the best legacy, and better heritage that a mother can give to their sons. Simple receipts, elegantly resolved, and overall, tasty. The croquettes, the chickpea stew, the red beans, the purée or the vegetable stew, the fish soup, the legs of lamb, the parmentier meatball o el corderito en salsa, with many others, are dishes that makes our loyal clients come once and for ever, as they feel this house as their own. possibly good lunch spot FUN VISIT - menu: there s a gastropub or various packages which may be a good idea: this menu: yum: MENU_RESERVAS.jpg

11 Las Deulas, Haro Chef: Juan Nales Rückauer One of the most renowned figures in modern Riojan cuisine. After years of experience and training under great professionals, such as, among others, Luis Irízar and Pedro Subijana, he has embarked upon the pleasant task of providing his guests with top quality and professionalism. Always using the region s typical products as a base, the Chef makes dishes with a clear regional reference adapted to today s techniques. A clean, conceptually simple cuisine where the priority is well-defined, refined flavours. do not recommend - very mediocre menu: Echuarren Traditionel or El Portal, Modern, Ezcaray Chef: Marisa Sanchez or Francis Paniego (2 stars) same chef as hotel - amazing Echaurren Tradición is nowadays a part of the La Rioja s traditional cuisine and the merit comes from our mother, Marisa Sanchez. She has recollected and transmitted to the restaurant s menu a handfull of unforgettable receipts, which are the best legacy, and better heritage that a mother can give to their sons. Simple receipts, elegantly resolved, and overall, tasty. The croquettes, the chickpea stew, the red beans, the purée or the vegetable stew, the fish soup, the legs of lamb, the parmentier meatball o el corderito en salsa, with many others, are dishes that makes our loyal clients come once and for ever, as they feel this house as their own. menu traditionel: menu El Portal:

12 Tondeluna, Logrono Chef: Francis Paniego with David Gonzalez (not that one :)) architect: Arquitectura Picado y de Blas de Madrid Francis Paniego s gastro-bar, with David Gonzalez as chef de cuisine, strives to bring haute cuisine to everyone, and everyone into the kitchen. There are only six tables (with ten seats each), and all have views into the kitchen. Coming out of the kitchen are creative morsels as well as old favorites such as the croqueta de jamón from Echaurren or La Zapatilla, a grilled open ham canapé from Bar Mengula in the nearby Travesía del Laurel. Eating here is a stylish, intimate, and memorable menu: DIC-2014.pdf food images: yum: Restaurante la Galeria, Logrono Chef: Jose Felix Rodriguez and Raul Martinez No info in English, but highly recommended, modern food. menu: nothing in English reviews on tripadvisor are worth reading: Reviews-La_galeria-Logrono_La_Rioja.html Asador Arino, Labastide no website but recommended on multiple websites this is a steak and potatoes and traditional Riojan fare restaurant possibly good Lunch spot

13 Taberna Herrerrias, Logrono An alternative to doing the Tapas thing in Logrono or perhaps for lunch. no info in English, but it s recommended across various articles and sites. Reviews on trip advisor: menu: Youtube: Hector Oribe, Laguardia Chef: Hector Oribe The restaurant has been chosen as a Bibi Gourmand selection in the Michelin Red Guide and earns a 7/10 rating in the Gourmetour Guide. This eponymous restaurant created by 35-year old Basque chef Héctor Oribe has only a dozen or so tables, and it s charmingly decorated, very inviting, sophisticated yet cozy. The chef trained with Basque chef greats Juan Mari Arzak, Hilario Arbelaitz and Karlos Arguiñano. He offers a fantastic price to quality ratio short menu of Riojan classics presented in a modern, updated style. He also offers a bargain lunchtime menú del día for E18 Tuesday-Friday (you may need to ask for it specifically since it s not presented to non-locals). And the chef s full tasting menu is available for only E33. menu:

14 Major Sights: wineries (far more than selected on preceding pages) cathedrals and various religious sites castles Shopping specialties: wine wool (Ezcaray) - mohair, cashmere olive oil Activities Wine tours Drives through villages Horseback riding through vineyards Hot air balloons Bicycling Spa

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