Non Wine Related Activities
Black Grape are happy to recommend some of our favourite activities in the area:
Hiking
The Sierra de la Demanda is one of the oldest mountain ranges in Spain providing a natural frontier to La Rioja and Castile y León. The twisted ancient forests, extraordinary black lakes and sense of isolation here give it a magical Harry Potter air that makes exploration all the more rewarding. Combined with visits of the various monasteries that lay hidden here such as the lonely Monastery of Valvanera, and the Yuso and Suso monasteries (birthplace of the modern Spanish language) hiking these parts gives a true taste of old Castile.
Spa
The opening of the Marques de Riscal Spa set a new precedent for luxury wine travel in La Rioja, offering the Bordeaux-based Caudalie vino-therapy package in sexy design surrounds. Treatments include wine-based scrubs and baths, massage, wraps, facials and other beauty treatments as well as an elegant wet-room with views over the vineyards.
New for 2009, the Hotel Villa Laguardia opens its olive oil and wine Spa also with fantastic views and hip décor, but aimed at a more budget conscious traveller.
For a back-to-nature experience where dinosaurs used to roam there are natural hot springs (52.2ºC) in Arnedillo
Skiing
The Valdezcaray Ski Resort is arguably the least well-known in Spain and yet it boasts 12 runs (1 black, 3 red, 4 blue, 4 green) making it ideal for day excursions to mix in with the wine-tasting. At over 2000 metres snow cover is reliable, though there are 85 snow cannons if the weather lets you down. Open from Nov-Apr.
Tapas Tours
La Rioja is one of the best places in Spain to indulge in the ultra-trendy mini-cuisine known as tapas, and it’ll cost you a fraction of what you’ll spend in San Sebastian or Madrid. Because town centres are also relatively small, it’s easy to get to all the best bars in a night, bearing in mind tapas’ eating diplomatic protocol: one drink, one tapa per place to ensure everyone gets a share of the wealth.
In most places the tapas are displayed beneath glass counters so it’s easy to just point at what you fancy. However, it’s always worth lurking around the bar a while to see what comes out fresh, and hot, from the kitchen. Throwing your napkins and toothpicks on the floor is all part of the etiquette (the dirtier the floor the better the place), it all gets swept up at the end of the day. Standing is more de rigueur than sitting, and locals love a chat: no matter what language you speak.
Golf - Club de Golf Sojuela
Numerous golf courses are located in the area. Club de Golf Sojuela Opened less that 10 years ago near Logroño so it’s easy to get to and pristine. Manicured greens contrasted by oak forest and wild pines ensure plenty of challenge without completely flooring you. 18 holes. Green fee (non members) €35 a day.