Published on Sep, 2024
I could not have asked for a better tour through Rioja! Traveling alone, most tour guides are hesitant to do such a small (one person) tour due to not being economical. Michael, however, went above and beyond not only to accommodate me but to ensure the tour was exactly what I wanted. He quickly picked up on my genuine interest in wine and went about designing a tour where each stop captured a different component of wines from the region. Given the nature of what he does, he has many contacts throughout the region that he’s able to leverage to curate these types of experiences.
Our first stop was to a winery with a more traditional approach. They have multiple wines that have received incredible ratings from the likes of Robert Parker (including at least one that received 100 points), so quality was top notch. Despite plenty of reason to be pretentious, the visit was anything but. Michael was able to arrange for a private tour, and we were able to see the entire process from the grapes arriving all the way to bottles aging in the cellar (and, of course, a spectacular tasting).
The next stop was to a winery that is right in the middle of their vineyards, which is quite uncommon for Rioja. The geographical location of this specific plot of land lends itself to unique notes in the wine, and the tour highlighted the importance of those factors in wine making. This enabled me to see and understand a part of the process that is oftentimes harder to experience on typical tours given that this is atypical of the region. The tasting at this vineyard highlighted the connections between geography and the end results we could observe in the wines.
Our last stop was to an urban winery where Michael again arranged for a private tour that enabled me to experience the varietals that are usually mixed with Tempranillo but make up a much smaller percentage (<20%) of the wines. This winery produces single varietals of these grapes, and the experience provided a forum for Michael to discuss how each specific grape plays a different role in the end product (color, acidity, body, etc.).
I had initially thought I wanted to visit some of the bigger name wineries, but I ultimately realized that I was better off letting Michael plan a tour using his extensive knowledge (and connections) in the region. I could not be happier with what I got! I came out having learned a tremendous amount that I never would have known had Michael not been my guide. From the outset, Michael worked with me to build an itinerary that catered to my own interests. His extensive knowledge allowed me to confidently rely on him to show me the best of Rioja through a lens I otherwise would have never experienced.
Even with the incredibly personalized tour, Michael provided a very fair price (less than half of what others quoted me). But let me be clear, the quality and level of personalization was far superior to the other itineraries I was exploring. Michael does these tours because he has a genuine passion for sharing his interest and knowledge in wines, and it’s clear that he values sharing that passion just as much as he values the actually money he earns. At the end of the tour, Michael even invited me to a sherry bar in Madrid (not as a tour) just to expose me to something I had yet to experience.
As a wine snob, I can confidently say that this is a top-notch tour that I will recommend to everyone I know heading to Spain. I’m already looking forward to visiting another region and having Michael take me along again. My advice: book now before it sells out, and let Michael build an itinerary based on his knowledge. You will not regret it!
Free Cancellation
