Rioja and the Basque Country
Experience the wines and wineries of Rioja and the Basque Country.
Along with food, culture, history and architecture.
An unforgettable weeklong trip led by Tyler Colman, Ph.D., organized exclusively for the Richmond strong friend group!
8 days/7 nights. Limited to 14 guests
A portion of the proceeds goes toward artist scholarships via the Chautauqua Women’s Club
November 2 - November 9 2026
$5,995 per guest (based on double occupancy)
$1,000 single supplement
Rioja: where tradition meets modernity
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Meet winemakers
Talk with some of the leaders in the industry
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Dive into cellars
Go back in time with slumbering bottles
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Taste wines
Sharpen the palate with comparative tastings
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Explore cuisine
Fine dining as well as local grills, seafood and tapas
Where will we stay?
3 nights in San Sebastian
3 nights in Rioja
In a modern, cubist hotel with spacious, luxurious rooms.
1 night in Bilbao
At a five-star hotel right across from the Guggenheim museum
3 reasons to travel with Tyler
Tyler got into wine writing the way so many people do: by writing his Ph.D. dissertation on the political economy of wine in France and the US.
He knows wine
Tyler has written two wine books, contributed numerous articles to places like Food & Wine and the New York Times, and his writing has been nominated for a James Beard award. Tyler taught wine classes at NYU for ten years and at the University of Chicago for five. He has led numerous corporate and private events and organized over 200 wine tastings on Zoom, many with winemakers.
He knows wine people
His deep knowledge of the wine industry means this tour will go to significant wineries and meet the people who are telling the important stories of Rioja wine today. Some of these do not usually receive visitors.
It’s a snob-free zone
Two words that go together frequently are “wine” and “snob.” Fortunately, the tone of this trip is fun and informative. It will be an amazing, immersive opportunity to expand your wine knowledge no matter what level you bring to the start.
Our itinerary
This tour begins in Bilbao, which is accessible via connecting hubs in Europe. It ends in San Sebastian (a little over an hour from Bilbao airport).
Day 1 Monday: 6 PM Meet in the hotel lobby in San Sebastian for drinks followed by a group dinner.
Day 2 Tuesday: Walking tour of San Sebastian with a local guide. Free for lunch. Group activity later in the afternoon. Group dinner.
Day 3 Wednesday: We head down the coast to the handsome fishing village of Getaria. We will have a morning tour and tasting at a leading wine producer (the view is above). There will then be the opportunity to visit the museum of native son Cristobal Balenciaga, haute couture icon. We will have a seafood feast midday as our group meal. Free time in San Sebastian afterword. We will meet up for pintxos (tapas) later in the old town.
Day 4 Thursday: Check out of the hotel in San Sebastian after breakfast. We head to Pamplona for a walking tour followed by a stop on the Camino de Santiago. Check in to Rioja hotel. Group dinner at the hotel.
Day 5 Friday: We will have two incredible winery visits, including one of the most important in all of Spain. Group lunch. Return to hotel — free to explore countryside on foot. (the locals love walking.) Free for dinner.
Day 6 Saturday: Two winery visits and a lunch in a spectacular medieval hill town.
Day 7 Sunday: 9 AM departure from hotel and transfer to Bilbao. 10:30 AM tour of the Guggenheim Bilbao followed by a walking tour. Group lunch. Free after lunch to explore further. Final farewell pintxos (tapas) crawl.
Day 8 Monday: trip ends after breakfast.
***These are placeholders; exact details to follow shortly. Winery visits will include historic cellars as well as smaller producers.
“Tyler set an outstanding tone for the group - knowledgeable, relaxed, humorous and engaging. The group dynamic made every activity superb.”
-Gale
“I would give it 10 stars if I could!”
-Tracy
“It was truly a fantastic two weeks. The accommodations were A+. The size of the group was ideal.”
-Norma
“Thank you for a wonderful experience. Looking forward to the next tour!”
- Frank
Inquire about Rioja and the Basque Country today
Some questions. Answered.
What’s included?
This tour includes six nights at hotels, breakfast at the hotel each morning, one group meal a day (three lunches and three dinners), transportation to events on the itinerary, and all winery and cultural visits. A reasonable amount of wine with group meals is included. There is also no need to tip anyone on this tour.
What’s not included?
Not included: airfare, airport transfers, travel insurance, meals not on the itinerary, wine beyond the set wines with dinner, and personal incidentals such as room service or laundry.
Should I get travel insurance?
We recommend travel insurance. Some credit cards offer limited insurance included or for purchase. Please note that some “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) policies must be purchased within two weeks of the initial deposit. Allianz, AIG or your home insurance company may offer suitable policies that also include medical coverage.
Who’s going?
This trip is put together for a friend group.
Can solo travelers go?
Absolutely! There is a supplement for single occupancy. It is a great way to meet people.
What documents are needed?
Just a US passport that expires after May 2027.
What’s the cancelation policy?
Your initial deposit is fully refundable for 30 days. After that, it is non-refundable. A second payment is due on May 15. That is also refundable for 30 days. The final payment is due July 15 and the trip will be non-refundable after that.
Is this a fund raiser?
A portion of the proceeds will benefit scholarships at the Chautauqua Women’s Club, a 501(c)(3).
Where should we fly into?
The tour starts in Bilbao and ends in San Sebastian (about an hour from Bilbao airport). Bilbao is accessible from the US via connecting flight, either Madrid or London, Amsterdam, or Paris.
How much walking is there?
Travelers should be able to walk two miles a day (5,000 steps), some of it on paths, cobbled streets or in vineyards. Travelers should be comfortable with a couple of flights of stairs.
I don’t know that much about wine. Should I go?
Yes! If you want to learn more about wine, this is an unparalleled way to do it. No advance knowledge is required. Also, there cultural stops and excellent meals.
Where can I get more info?
Feel free to drop Tyler an email with any questions. We will have an informational Zoom in the next couple of weeks.
