In early September, my family (including four adults and an 18 month old child) will be driving from Pamplona to San Sebastian as part of an extended auto holiday through northern Spain and southern France. Would the Rioja wine region be too far out of our way to visit on that day's drive? Or, would it be better to drive more directly to San Sebastain and explore the Foothills en route?
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
What is your larger driving route? This circular route makes sense if you can incorporate it ...
Pamplona => La Rioja => Vitoria-Gasteiz => Bilbao => San Sebastian
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Try some time estimates through www.viamichelin.com, which will allow you to add specific midpoints to your route. The A-level main roads are pretty fast. Note that most winery visits require reservations.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
Vitoria Gasteiz isn't too far out of the way. It's considered the capital of the Rioja region.
That said, you will need to pick a Bodega or two and call ahead (ideally two days ahead but one day is often plenty) to let them know you are coming. Bodegas in Spain don't have regular open hours like wineries in the U.S.
If you don't call ahead and make an appointment, you may be able to visit a wine museum, usually a former Bodega converted to a museum. Even then you will have to consider normal siesta hours. It depends on the place, the range can start as early as 1 pm and go to about 5 pm - normally places are closed a couple of hours within that window.
I've driven the road between Donostia-San Sebastian and Vitoria-Gasteiz, it's a good road and takes less than two hours. It's about the same from Pamplona to Vitoria-Gasteiz I haven't driven that road.