Rioja Wine tasting

http://vivancoculturadevino.es/en/
We visited the Vivanco vineyards. It was a short drive (like 1 hour, I think) from Bilbao. Very cool museum and vineyard tour. I don't have anything to compare it to, but we really enjoyed ourselves there. Very beautiful countryside, too. Easy to find via gps, too.

We spent 5 nights in the Rioja last spring. It was the start of our trip and we were still getting over jet lag so chose not to make reservations. First off I would recommend discovering what Spanish wines are available where you live. It's always fun to be home and relive the memories! We stayed at the Marques de Riscal hotel so of course had their wine. A tour is included with a stay there and it was great.
Nearby is Finca Valpiedra - Fuenmayor. We had a very spontaneous private tasting which was terrific (they were apologetic because it was not as grand as their group tours). The gal tasted and taught alongside us.
We drove to Valenciso aka Ysios - Laguardia (after someone told us you could go there for a tasting without a tour) found the doors locked, called them, and when we said we were outside they came and opened the doors and gave us a private tasting.
Our favorite was Roda. Completing different setting as it is in town of Haro and not like the others out in the countryside. Would have bought all their wines.
If you do the big mid day meal, (which I encourage) it will include a bottle of wine ... so going to many more tastings lost it's appeal!
Also I found this site very helpful! http://www.maribelsguides.com/maribels-city-and-regional/maribels-guide-to-the-rioja.html

If you have time for a bit of sightseeing in the area, the hill town of Laguardia is worthwhile. It's very atmospheric and has some wine bars, too.

Thanks for all the great idea's.

John