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?
1 night in Bilbao
At a boutique hotel right near the Guggenheim museum
3 nights in Rioja
In a modern, cubist building with spacious, luxurious rooms
3 nights in San Sebastian
In oceanfront rooms overlooking the famous beach, La Concha
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: We meet at 3 PM for a walking tour of Bilbao. Free time until drinks and then a group dinner
Day 2 Tuesday: After breakfast, we will head to a guided tour for our group of the Guggenheim Bilbao. We will check out of the hotel and head to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, a dramatic islet in the Bay of Biscay that was a hermitage 1,000 years ago (picture, right). Those who want to hike the steps are welcome to do so otherwise the pub at the top has a great view. We transfer to the hotel in Rioja. Group dinner.
Day 3 Wednesday: A visit to two historic wineries followed by traditional Rioja group lunch. Free for dinner.
Day 4 Thursday: Historic winery visit followed by a boutique winery visit and tasting, free for lunch in a medieval hill town, relax after lunch. Group dinner.
Day 5 Friday: 9 AM departure for a guided tour of Pamplona, free for lunch, then to San Sebastian. Check into hotel. Group dinner at a famed seafood restaurant with one of the top wine cellars in Spain.
Day 6 Saturday: Walking tour of San Sebastian in the morning. Free time midday for shopping. Educational wine tasting in the afternoon. Group dinner at a local grill that has local cider as well as wine.
Day 7 Sunday: Meet it the lobby at 9:30 AM for a drive along the Basque Coast to Getaria, a handsome seaside village, stop at the museum of native son Cristóbal Balenciaga, haute couture icon, then visit a top Txakoli winery overlooking the Bay of Biscay (picture above). Then head for a seafood group lunch by the port. We will then head back to San Sebastian (30-minute drive) for free time. Day concludes with tapas grazing in the old town of San Sebastian.
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.
