The Rioja Wine Experience, a promotional package designed by Brittany Ferries and the DOCa Rioja Regulatory Council, offers passengers from the United Kingdom and Ireland arriving at the Port of Bilbao a four-day package trip to Rioja.
The package includes three nights at a winery in the heart of Rioja, a suggested itinerary around the region including visits to wineries and villages such as Sajazarra, Laguardia and Haro. Also included is the renowned Haro Train Station Experience where visitors can visit six historic Rioja wineries.
Participants are free to explore on their own, visiting wineries, eating in Rioja’s wide range of restaurants, from family eateries to Michelin-starred gastronomic landmarks. Savoring tapas in Logroño’s calle Laurel, the Herradura in Haro and in other villages in the region are other popular activities.
Íñigo Diez, Tourism Product Specialist Destinations Experiences for Brittany Ferries adds, “Northern Spain is an increasingly popular destination for Brittany Ferries passengers seeking authentic cultural and gastronomic experiences. Interest from British and Irish customers has grown significantly, and we now offer up to eight direct sailings a week in each direction between the British Isles and Spain. Rioja, with its rich winemaking heritage, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culinary scene, offers the perfect setting to explore. Travellers have the freedom to travel with their own car meaning they can explore at their leisure – and even stock up on their favourite wines to bring home.”
Brittany Ferries received a Best Of Wine Tourism 2026 award for Wine Tourism Services from the Great Wine Capitals Global Network for its Rioja Wine Experience package.
Íñigo Díez Cereceda, Commercial Manager of Brittany Ferries Spain, received the Best Of Award 2026 from José Luis Pérez Pastor, Counselor of the Government of La Rioja. Photo credit: Cámara de La Rioja.
Interesting facts:
- The United Kingdom is Rioja’s leading international market.
- 300,000 passengers travel to northern Spain every year on Brittany Ferries via Portsmouth and Southampton in the UK and Rosslare in Ireland.
- Almost 900,000 wine tourists visited over 200 wineries in Rioja in 2024, with 33% international visitors.
___________
Text by Tom Perry, Inside Rioja
Featured photo: Brittany Ferries
Learn more about Bilbao-Rioja Great Wine Capitals