In 2007, the wineries located near the Haro train station created the Association for the Touristic Development of the Train Station District, today called the Train Station District Association. The association’s objective is to organize collective wine tourism activities to highlight the history of this unique place and the wineries located here.
Four of the six Train Station District member wineries are more than a century old:
- Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España (CVNE) founded in 1879.
- Gómez Cruzado in 1886.
- La Rioja Alta in 1890.
- Bodegas Bilbaínas in 1901.
The other two members, Muga, founded in 1932, moved its cellars to the Train Station District in 1970 and Bodegas Roda in 1987.
One Passport, Six Wine Bars
One of the Association’s creative initiatives is an official passport that allows holders to visit the wine bars at the six wineries over a period of 12 months after issue. At each wine bar, you can taste one wine and a tapa.
The wine offered at each winery is:
- CVNE – Imperial Reserva
- Muga – Muga Selección Especial
- Gómez Cruzado – Viña Dorana
- La Rioja Alta, S.A. Viña Ardanza
- Bodegas Roda – Bodegas Roda SELA
- Bodegas Bilbaínas – La Vicalanda white
How to get a passport
It’s easy! Visit the Barrio de la Estación website and click on “Comprar Passport”. The cost is 42 EUR. Choose a time of day to pick up the passport and you’re all set!
You then select the date you will pick up your passport at CVNE. From that date you have one year to visit the six wine bars.
The passport does not include a visit to the winery. You can, however book a guided tour by visiting each winery’s website:
The Haro Train Station District Passport is just one of the interesting experiences created by the Association to highlight this historic winery district. You can read about them at barrioestacion.com
Text by Tom Perry, Inside Rioja
Photos: Barrio de la Estación de Haro
Learn more about Bilbao-Rioja Great Wine Capitals