MARQUES DE RISCAL and YSIOS Architecture Wine Tour with lunch
Visit the Best Winery in the World
In this amazing tour, we will take a full winery tour at MARQUES DE RISCAL, best winery in the world, and we will visit YSIOS, forth best winery in the world, to taste their amazing wines and to admire the awesome building. These are two of the most premium wineries in Rioja and the most iconic buildings of the region. On top of that we will take a city tour in the medieval town of Laguardia.
We recognize the importance of a full wine and food experience, that’s why we’ve included a three course Lunch in our tour, so you can just relax and enjoy the day!
Price and Days
229€
Mon, Wed, Fri
Duration
9+ hours
Semi-Private
Small Group
8 people max.
Departure
7:30 am San Sebastian
8:30 am Bilbao
Cancelation Policy
Full refund if cancelled 72 hours in advance
Tour Highlights
Best Winery in the World: Take a full winery tour in the best winery in the world, MARQUES DE RISCAL and taste 3 of their excellent wines
Astonishing Architecture: Visit YSIOS winery, forth best winery in the world, and enjoy 2 of their premium wines
Taste Premium Wines: Enjoy highest awarded wines of Rioja; 92 points and up
Enjoy a three course LUNCH: We include a three-course lunch, wine and dessert included (please note that this is not a food tour. Lunch is a complement to the wine tour, not the purpose of it. It is not a fancy lunch, it is a “menú del día” style lunch)
Indulge in Local Delights: Enjoy your wine tastings with local delicacies such as Serrano Ham, Chorizo and local Cheese
City tour of LAGUARDIA: Along with delightful wine tastings, you will also have time to visit the town of Laguardia
Enjoy Small Group Setting, max. 8 people: Connect with fellow wine enthusiasts in our friendly small group setting, sharing the joy of wine-tasting together
Hotel Pick-Up: Enjoy the comfort of our convenient hotel pick-up in San Sebastian (meeting point in Bilbao)
Extend Your Stay or get dropped off in a Different City: Extend your adventure with an overnight stay in Wine Country, or request a drop off in a different city: San Sebastian, Bilbao, Logroño, Pamplona, or Vitoria
Pick up info and Price
Price and Schedule:
- Semi-Private tour at 229€ per person, max. 8 people. (On holidays an additional fee might apply for the higher price of lunch)
- On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays subject to availability
- From Bilbao, San Sebastian and the Rioja wine country
- Private Marques de Riscal and Ysios tours check out the prices at our Custom Private Rioja Tours section
- Any day of the week subject to availability. On weekends and holidays an additional fee might apply for the higher price of lunch
- From Bilbao, San Sebastian, Vitoria, Logroño, Pamplona and the Rioja wine country
Payment Methods: We accept Credit and Debit Cards and PayPal. We do not accept cash, transfer, Venmo or any other method
City-to-City Tour Connections: We offer the option to start and end this tour in different locations, seamlessly connecting San Sebastian, Bilbao, and the Wine Country (also Pamplona, Vitoria and Logroño in private tours). This allows you to combine your tour with a convenient transfer to your next destination.
Inquire for competitive transfer rates.
Inclusions
Visits Marques de Riscal, best winery in the world, together other wine enthusiasts in a Group no bigger than 25 people
Enjoy a sitting tasting at the forth best winery in the world, Ysios
Enjoy up to 6 extra-premium wines: crianzas, reservas, and signature wines (5 at the wineries and 1 with lunch)
Local appetizers with each tasting: serrano ham, cheese, chorizo…
Three-course lunch at a local restaurant
Entertaining live narration from your knowledgeable guide, offering insights into the rich history of Wine Country
The opportunity to stay overnight in Wine Country and to be dropped off in a different city
Exclusions
Guide tips: optional and apprecitated
Any other thing not included above
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
150+ 5 STAR REVIEWS
Outstanding tour, highly recommend! Anton’s easy going personality instantly made us feel comfortable and his ability to organize the logistics and his knowledge of the region made the tour an absolute highlight of our trip. The wineries we visited were all amazing, especially the small local one where we got to have a tasting with the owner. A special and unforgettable experience! Adam V. 2022. Google review.
9 HOURS WITH RIOJA WINERIES PLUS THE MEDIEVAL TOWN OF LAGUARDIA
TOUR ITINERARY
7:30 am: Pick up in San Sebastian hotels or residences (meeting point in Bilbao at 8:30), where you will meet your guide and get ready for a great day in Rioja!
Enjoy the scenic views of the Basque Country on our way to the first winery
Marques de Riscal: full winery tour and generous tasting of premium wines
Visit the medieval town of Laguardia, where your tour guide will give you a fun and informative city tour
Ysios winery: sitting tasting of premium wines. Enjoy the amazing building and relax sipping premium wine
Three corse lunch included in your price in a nearby town
Drop-off at your hotel or residence: in Bilbao 5:00 to 5.30, in San Sebastian 6:00 to 6:30
Times might vary depending on availability at Marques de Riscal
Pick up in San Sebastian usually starts at 7:45 am but sometimes we might need to pick up as early as 7:15 am
RISCAL AND YSIOS WINE TOUR DETAILS
Marques de Riscal Winery
Your tour begins with a full visit to Marqués de Riscal, named the best winery in the world in 2025. Established in 1858, this historic estate added a stunning Luxury Collection Hotel in 2006, designed by the world-famous architect Frank Gehry.
While Riscal is a major producer—crafting over 6 million bottles per year—it is particularly renowned for its prestigious Reserva wines. During your private tour, you will discover the secrets of their winemaking process, the specific grape varieties they cultivate, and the historic fermentation and aging cellars. Afterward, you will enjoy an exclusive tasting of three of their premium wines, perfectly paired with local culinary specialties.
Ysios Winery
Ysios is an exclusive boutique winery—recently named the third best winery in the world in 2026—that strictly limits its production to around 100,000 bottles per year. Renowned for its high-quality craftsmanship, the estate produces three Viñedos Singulares (Singular Vineyard) wines—the highest official recognition of quality in Rioja. Among their premium offerings are highly acclaimed labels like Lagunazuri, Las Naves, and El Nogal, all consistently scoring 95 points and above. During your visit, you will enjoy a relaxed, seated tasting of two of their premium wines, beautifully paired with local artisanal cheeses and serrano ham.
Beyond the wine, Ysios has become the iconic visual symbol of Rioja Alavesa. Its breathtaking building, designed by the world-famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava (the visionary behind NYC’s Oculus station), is a masterpiece of modern architecture that simply cannot be missed.
Laguardia Medieval Town
Consistently ranked as one of the ten most beautiful towns in Spain, Laguardia was founded in 908 by King Sancho Abarca of Navarre as a strategic military stronghold. Today, with just over 1,000 residents, this medieval village serves as the vibrant cultural and commercial heart of the Rioja Alavesa wine region. It is famous for its labyrinth of 17th-century underground wine cellars, its perfectly preserved historic defensive walls, and its breathtaking, panoramic views of the surrounding vineyards. Our stop includes a curated walking tour with plenty of opportunities for spectacular photos.
Three Course Local Lunch
We believe the perfect complement to a full day of wine tasting is to sit down and savor an authentic, traditional three-course meal just like the locals do. Rather than an overly formal, stuffy lunch, we feature a wholesome, deeply satisfying menu showcasing regional specialties. Classic Riojan favorites include menestra de verduras (local vegetable medley), hearty Rioja bean stew, Rioja-style potatoes with chorizo, cod poached with peppers and tomatoes, and tender slow-cooked veal stew. For dessert, you can indulge in classic flan, cuajada (sheep’s milk curd), or local pears poached in Rioja red wine—with excellent regional wine naturally included in your tour price. (Note: Lunch is served as a traditional fixed menu. If anyone in your party has specialized dietary requirements or strict gluten-free, vegan, or vegetarian needs, please review our FAQ section below before booking).
“Great honeymoon activity”
“We went on the wine tour during our honeymoon in Spain. The tour was made so easy by picking us up directly from our hotel. Our guide, Anton, was so knowledgeable about the region. We got much more than just wine tasting out of the tour. We’d highly recommend!”
Priscila_P Google Review
“Exceptional!”
“Iñaki was great from get go. We had an awesome wine making tour and tasting at
Marques del Riscal with its amazing architecture! We were another one of a kind
architecture at Ysios winery. We then finished the tour with Basque fare for lunch!”
April_P Google Review
“Wonder tours with North Coast Tours!”
“We had an amazing wine tour with Anton! Can’t recommend this tour enough if you enjoy great wine, beautiful scenery, and even better company! The 3 course meal was wonderful as well, and in a very traditional restaurant”
Marianne_S Google Review
RISCAL AND YSIOS WINE TOUR FAQS
In San Sebastian we pick up in all hotels and residences. In Bilbao, on the other hand, we pick up all our guests by Bertiz Bakery at the intersection of Henao and Heros streets.
The tour lasts between 9 to 10+ hours, lasting a little longer from San Sebastian than from Bilbao.
Yes, we take care of all tasting fees in the wineries, and of wine at lunch!
Visit to both Marques de Riscal and Ysios wineries, with wine tastings in both of them together with local cold meats and cheese, a city tour of the medieval town of Laguardia, and a three course lunch at a local restaurant with wine and dessert. And of course transportation, gas and tolls, pick up and drop off.
Gratuities for your driver, which are optional but gratefully appreciated, and any other thing not included in the tour.
You might want to bring a small bottle of water (if you bring a big one please don’t put it in the pockets of the van’s seats so they don’t get stretched), and your phone to take amazing photos.
The best winery in the world, Marques de Riscal, and the forth best winery in the world, Ysios.
At Marques de Riscal a little less than 2 hours, and at Ysios we will spend 1 hour.
Dietary Restrictions & Lunch Policy: Our tours include a standard menú del día (menu of the day), which often features vegetarian options. We do not manage dietary restrictions with the restaurants in advance; you will select your options directly with the waiter upon arrival.
Additional Expenses: If you require dishes outside of the fixed menú del día (such as ordering a la carte, gluten-free bread, or specialized requests), you will receive a separate check at the restaurant and must pay for your lunch independently.
Liability: While local restaurants are generally accommodating to gluten-free or vegetarian needs, North Coast Tours assumes no liability for any adverse food reactions or allergies during your tour. Managing your dietary restrictions is your sole responsibility.
Drinking water in the van is fine, as for food we prefer if you don’t eat in the van, unless it is some light snack that won’t make the van messy.
We include a Menu de Día style lunch. This is the type of meal that is offered at restaurants on week days with a variety of healthy and local options of first and second courses and dessert; we accompany the lunch with rioja wine. It is not a fancy lunch, but a healthy meal that complements perfectly a day tasting wine.
Some fun moments!
