Bilbao-Rioja Celebrates 2026 Best Of Wine Tourism Awards

The Great Wine Capitals Global Network has announced the Best Of Wine Tourism 2026 Bilbao-Rioja Awards winners in a spectacular ceremony held at Bodegas Bilbaínas, located in the historic Barrio de la Estación de Haro -Station District of Haro, La Rioja, Spain.

In its 23rd edition, seven outstanding wine tourism projects have been recognized across different categories, with an additional special mention awarded to Bodegas Amador García. The ceremony brought together over 250 professionals from innovative wine tourism companies.

Best Of Wine Tourism 2026 Bilbao-Rioja Winners

Architecture and Landscape: Bodegas Faustino (Oyón, Álava)

Recognized for the reinterpretation of an existing winery with discreet interventions that enhance operational efficiency and sustainability in Bodegas Faustino. The new visitor center stands out as a “Planet 1.0” building with industrial-inspired architecture, earth tones that integrate seamlessly with the landscape, and exceptional energy efficiency.

Art and Culture: Hotel Viura (Villabuena de Álava)

Hotel Viura has been awarded for creating an immersive experience that transforms a journey through the hotel into an itinerary of moments centered on art and beauty. Through self-guided tours, guests explore intentional perspectives that invite them to see and feel beauty with fresh eyes.

Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices: Palacios Vinos de Finca-Nivarius-Proelio (Nalda, La Rioja)

Honored for defending the territory as the origin and philosophy of wine and wine tourism. Palacios Vinos de Finca, Bodegas Nivarius and Proelio revive ancestral heritage while embracing innovation, featuring architecture that integrates into the landscape and a new wine bar and event venue where visitors can experience the Rioja territory with respect and authenticity.

Culinary Experiences: Las Lías Bilbao (Bilbao, Bizkaia)

Led by Mikel García, Las Lías Bilbao bar-restaurant offers outstanding product-driven cuisine with a continuously evolving selection of wines and pairings. The young, enthusiastic team provides warm, professional service with the simple intention of connecting with guests.

Mikel García (owner of Las Lías, Bilbao) receives the Best Of award from José Ignacio Zudaire, President of the Bilbao Chamber of Commerce.

Accommodation: Hospedería de Los Parajes (Laguardia, Álava)

Hospedería de Los Parajes is a palace-hotel with 18 rooms, two restaurants, a 16th-century wine cellar, wine shop, spa, and additional spaces embodies wine tourism’s capacity to foster friendship and establish emotional bonds between people, representing the vocation of hospitality that brings life and energy to the Bilbao-Rioja area.

Wine Tourism Services: Brittany Ferries (Bilbao, Bizkaia)

Recognized for bringing the territory closer to thousands of travelers through direct connections between Bilbao and Portsmouth, Plymouth (UK), and Rosslare (Ireland), while providing eco-responsible transportation certified by Green Marine Europe. Brittany Ferries introduces arriving travelers to the region’s main tourist, culinary, wine, artistic, and cultural attractions through their online vacation planner.

Íñigo Díez Cereceda, Commercial Manager of Brittany Ferries Spain, receives the Best Of Award from José Luis Pérez Pastor, Counselor of the Government of La Rioja.

Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences: Ramón Bilbao (Haro, La Rioja)

This century-old winery, which celebrated its first century in 2024, was awarded for its innovative character that constantly provokes new perspectives on wine and wine tourism. Ramón Bilbao offers new public spaces, a sensory journey, immersive experiences connecting with the Rioja landscape essence, and artistic installations offer visitors an emotional journey to the soul of wine.

Zaida Semprún, Wine Tourism Director at Bodegas Ramón Bilbao, receives the Best Of Award from Eduardo de Luis Olloqui, President of the La Rioja Chamber of Commerce.

Special Mention: Bodegas Amador García (Baños de Ebro, Álava)

Recognized for the quality and variety of wine tourism experiences, particularly original experiences designed for families that highlight education for young people around vineyard and wine, Bodegas Amador García is seeking to generate responsible future consumers through playful experiences.

Rosa García and Pilar Niso, Wine Tourism Directors at Bodegas Amador García, receive the Best Of Award from Saray Zárate, Provincial Deputy for Economic Development and Innovation in Álava.

A Historic Venue and Prestigious Organization

The ceremony was hosted by Bodegas Bilbaínas, triple winner of the Best Of Wine Tourism 2025 awards (regional, international, and People’s Choice Award), located in Haro’s Station District—a neighborhood of immense historical significance that became the birthplace of Rioja’s modern wine industry in the late 19th century.

Best Of Wine Tourism 2026 Bilbao-Rioja Awards gala was organized by the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services of La Rioja, in collaboration with the Government of La Rioja, continuing the tradition of excellence in recognizing outstanding wine tourism projects across the Bilbao-Rioja region.

The ceremony was attended by prominent authorities including the President of the Government of La Rioja, Gonzalo Capellán; the Regional Minister of Culture, Tourism, Sports and Youth, José Luis Pérez Pastor; the Provincial Deputy for Economic Development and Innovation in Álava, Saray Zárate; representatives from the Chambers of Álava, Bilbao, and La Rioja; Bilbao City Council; and the DOCa Rioja Regulatory Council, among other distinguished guests from across the region.

Juan M. Sáenz de Buruaga, President of the GWC Bilbao-Rioja Committee, highlighted the exceptional work of the jury, which evaluated 31 applications representing creativity and business excellence in the region. “Each project reflects the unique character of our destination and deserves to be celebrated,” he stated, emphasizing that all winners share “passion for wine as the connecting thread of unforgettable experiences.”

Next Steps: International Competition

Best Of Wine Tourism 2026 Bilbao-Rioja regional winners will now advance to compete for the prestigious International Best Of Wine Tourism award at the Great Wine Capitals Global Network Annual Conference in Bordeaux, France, from November 2-6, 2026. Following this, the People’s Choice Awards will be announced through public voting.

The Best Of Wine Tourism Awards recognize companies providing the best wine tourism services across the eleven leading wine regions of the world: Adelaide (Australia), Bilbao-Rioja (Spain), Bordeaux (France), Hawke’s Bay (New Zealand), Lausanne (Switzerland), Mainz-Rheinhessen (Germany), Mendoza (Argentina), Porto (Portugal), San Francisco-Napa Valley (United States), Valparaíso-Casablanca (Chile), and Verona (Italy).

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