Promotional feature
Bodegas Luis Cañas in Villabuena de Álava was the scene on September 29 of the 2017 ‘Best Of Wine Tourism’ awards ceremony for the Bilbao|Rioja partnership in the Great Wine Capitals Global Network.
Bilbao Rioja Best of Wine Tourism
One of the highlights of the early evening event for the 150 guests was the beautiful autumn sunset against the backdrop of a sea of vineyards surrounding the winery.
The 2017 ‘Best of Wine Tourism’ winners are:
Innovative Wine Tourism experiences: Bodegas Ramón Bilbao (Haro)
Ramón Bilbao is a classic winery in Haro, founded in 1924. The company’s wine tourism offer joins tradition and modernity, a sensory experience beginning with the history of the winery’s early years and ending with a virtual reality tour with barrels, bottles and glasses of wine in a world of magic.
Architecture and Landscapes: Bodegas y Viñedos de Páganos (Laguardia)
The winery was founded by the Eguren family and features two spectacular vineyards – ‘El Puntido’ and ‘La Nieta’ and a modern winery sculpted underground like the wineries of the family’s ancestors. In the large underground caves the company ages the wines produced in the vineyards above.
Art and Culture: Bodegas Valdelana (Elciego)
Valdelana’s wine tourism offer is based on the vast artistic and cultural heritage of the world of wine. Its latest creation is a trip through prehistoric times featuring megalithic tombs, archaeological excavations and old hermitages located on the family’s land. The visit continues through 15th century cellars, an ethnographic museum and a 16th century chapel and ends at the ‘Varietal Balcony’, a spectacular vantage point with views of vineyards and the Ebro river.
In addition to these awards, the jury gave a special prize to Wine Fandango, a wine bar and restaurant in Logroño, where a group of young entrepreneurs have created a space to familiarize people their age with wine culture. Activities include wine list featuring over 100 wines, most of which are available by the glass, wine and food pairings created by chef Aitor Esnal, wine and music pairings and ‘vinous voyages’ with tastings of different vintages of the same wine.
About the Great Wine Capitals Global Network
Founded in 1999, the Great Wine Capitals Global Network is an alliance of eight internationally renowned wine regions – Adelaide, South Australia; Bordeaux, France; Cape Town, South Africa; Mainz|Rheinhessen, Germany; Mendoza, Argentina; Porto, Portugal; Bilbao|Rioja, Spain and San Francisco|Napa Valley, USA. The Best Of Wine Tourism awards are an industry benchmark for excellence, recognising leading wineries and wine-tourism related businesses within each Great Wine Capital that have distinguished themselves in areas such as innovation, service and sustainable practices. For more information visit www.greatwinecapitals.com.
-
Editors’ picks: A clutch of great wines to try – April 2026See what our team has been trying recently...
-
Barcelona Wine Week: Trends and perspectivesThe latest edition of Spain’s largest wine fair set the stage for some exciting tastings and discussions, allowing our Spain Editor to take the pulse of the country’s scene and identify the hottest topics driving its evolution.
-
Gavi: Piedmont’s hidden gemSponsored Content Set between the Apennines and the Ligurian coast, Gavi combines medieval charm, distinctive gastronomy and one of Italy’s finest wines.
-
Cuatro Rayas: Past-proofing the futureResponsible for the largest area under vine in Rueda, this forward-thinking wine cooperative has embraced its role as the custodian of an invaluable natural and cultural heritage.
-
Cantina Tollo: Business not as usualSponsored Content In the heart of Abruzzo, Cantina Tollo is proving that cooperatives are becoming a key source of quality wine. The benchmark producer shows how a long-term vision can balance tradition and innovation to create a truly sustainable business – and some very serious wines.
-
Two different faces of Tuscany: Castello di Radda and Cantina Fabio MottaSponsored Content For 50 years the Agricole Gussalli Beretta group has been dedicated to producing wines of the highest quality in Italy’s most prestigious wine-growing regions.
-
Tenuta Il Finale – Shining a spotlight on Piedmont’s land and grapesSponsored Content A friendship forged through the world of business led three wine lovers to the steep hills of Piedmont, where they are championing the region’s local varieties.
-
Bordeaux whites and crémants: Energy, freshness and renewalSponsored Content A deep dive into the new-wave dry white and sparkling wines from a region undergoing a vibrant renaissance creating crisp, lively expressions that blend Atlantic freshness, historical roots, and modern innovation for everyday enjoyment.
-
Explore Spain with Pata NegraSponsored Content Celebrate the exciting diversity of the Spanish wine scene with the pioneering umbrella brand that brings together a selection of top denominations under just one label. The Pata Negra range allows you to explore regions from Rioja to Rueda – and beyond.
-
Dalmatia: Where to enjoy the stillness of fjakaSponsored Content When Dalmatia slows down in the early afternoon, here are some perfect places to enjoy a little dreaminess.
