Address: Elciego Bodega (Rioja Alavesa) C/Torrea, 1 01340 ELCIEGO – Álava (Spain)
Phone: +34 945 180 880
Website: www.marquesderiscal.com
Open to visits Tuesday to Saturday/ Sundays and Public Holidays
Languages: Spanish, English, French, German and Basque
All tours must be booked in advance.

Herederos del Marqués de Riscal continues to write its history in the 21st century with the “Ciudad del Vino” (City of Wine).  A project that marks a new era in the world of wine.  Ciudad del Vino, located in Elciego (Alava) is a complex comprising the oldest winery of Rioja, the winery of Marqués de Riscal (1858) and a new building designed by the Canadian architect, Frank O. Gehry. The new complex houses a hotel, a spa of wine therapy, an exclusive restaurant, a meeting and conference center and a banquet hall. Undoubtedly, the Ciudad del Vino is a 21st century chateau in which the different experiences that wine can offer may be enjoyed; a world full of living sensations.

The winery also offers world class accommodations at the Hotel Marqués de Riscal and equally acclaimed cuisine at their restaurant.

José Luis Muguiro Aznar, owner of the Marqués de Riscal estate is proud of his winery’s 140-year history but also of its present. ”We are the oldest and most modern winery in Rioja,” he said. The push to modernize has included Marqués de Riscal’s ”City of Wine,” a $100-million winery, hotel and spa in the city of El Ciego by Frank Gehry. In honor of the famed architect, Marqués de Riscal created a ”Frank Gehry Selection” reserve Rioja.’

Wines of the Herederos de Marqués de Riscal has always been a leading and pioneering company in the wine producing sector.

As far back as 1858, it became the first winery in the Rioja to produce wines following the Bordeaux method and in 1972, it was the first winery to promote the Rueda Designation of Origin, where it produced its famous Marqués de Riscal white wines. Marqués de Riscal sells its products in over 70 countries and its wines enjoy the highest international distinctions as well as numerous awards and mentions in the media. In the XXI century, Herederos del Marqués de Riscal is still writing its history with the “Ciudad del Vino”, a project that is a milestone in the way to understand the world of wine.

The main source for producing Marqués de Riscal wines is located in Elciego (Alava). These vineyards, the first planted by this vinery, stretch across approximately 1,300 hectares. The land is spread between Elciego and surrounding villages, from which four varieties of grapes are harvested to make wines with Rioja D.O. C.a. – Tempranillo: predominant variety as well as Graciano, Mazuelo and Cabernet Sauvignon.

One of the major attractions of the Ciudad del Vino is its surroundings. The winery is set in the heart of the town of Elciego (Alava) which features flowing pastures of vines, fine cuisine, and stunning 16th and 17th century churches. Aside from all that the Ciudad del Vino has to offer, visitors can enjoy other nearby attractions:

Briones: a medieval town with an abundance of cultural and architectural attractions. Here you can experience fine dining and you can catch a visit some stunning pieces of sculpture erected in the Riojan Romantic style, an artistic style that was developed in XVI century Spain.

Vivanco Museum: a museum which offers a lesson in the history and culture of wine.

Ezcaray: set in the Sierra de la Demanda, on the banks of the river Oja, the town has an interesting group of historical buildings. One can visit the church of Santa María la Mayor of the XII to the XIV centuries, the Royal Cloth Factory of Santa Barbara of the XVII century, and the dyeing building “El Fuerte”.

San Millan Monastery: first a Visigothic monastery and later a Mozarab one, a visit to this monastery is a great way to take in the historic sites.

Guggenheim Museum: designed by the architect Frank O. Gehry, Bilbao’s Guggenheim museum is a popular attraction, not only for its exhibitions but also for the beauty of the building’s architecture.