Who said wine culture is only for adults? In the stunning Great Wine Capital Bilbao-Rioja, Spain, you’ll find wineries to visit with kids that cater to the entire family. Imagine exploring lush vineyards, learning about winemaking, and indulging in delicious wines and food while your kids embark on engaging activities designed just for them!
In this blog post, we will introduce you to some of the best wineries in Rioja that offer family-friendly experiences.
Photo: Vivanco Wine Culture.
Villa Lucía – Where Wine Meets Fantasy
Nestled in the beautiful and postcard-perfect medieval town of Laguardia, Villa Lucía is a captivating winery that blends wine culture with gastronomy and enchantment. As soon as you step foot into Villa Lucía, you’ll be transported into a world of fantasy.
This multisensorial center offers not only an interesting wine museum and a plethora of opportunities to taste the best wines and food of Rioja Alavesa, but also a range of activities for children, including the 4D Experience “In a Dreamland”. Kids can explore the magical journey of wine production through interactive displays and entertaining stories.
In addition to the educational experience, Villa Lucía features an enchanting playground with gardens and terraces where children can unleash their imagination. The younger members of the family will find a place where they can play once they have finished their meal, event or picnic.
In addition, they can also enjoy other activities: the Pásalo de Fábula Experience (Fable Experience), or the “tapas gymkhana” food workshop. So, indulge your senses and let the magic of Villa Lucía captivate your entire family.
Photo: Villa Lucía.
Vivanco – A Cultural Wine Adventure
Vivanco Wine Culture in Briones, La Rioja, is not just a winery; it’s a cultural experience that celebrates the art, history, and tradition of winemaking. The family-friendly approach of Vivanco makes it an ideal destination for wine enthusiasts with kids. The winery offers a variety of activities tailored to different age groups.
Start your journey with a visit to the Vivanco Wine Culture Museum, where you’ll find an extensive collection of wine-related artifacts. The museum offers interactive exhibits and workshops that engage children in the world of winemaking.
The workshops are particularly popular, allowing kids to develop their senses while learning, especially during harvest time, a precious opportunity to get close to the aromas and vineyard landscape in Rioja.
Vivanco Kids offers a unique experience for children to discover how far their senses can reach in a fun way, with their family or friends.
The gymkhana The genie in a bottle invites the youngest to investigate Wine Culture through clues hidden in the vineyard, thousand-year-old pieces, barrels and contemporary works of art.
Afterward, take a stroll through Vivanco’s picturesque vineyards, where children can run freely and explore the stunning surroundings. To complete your visit, head to the family-friendly restaurant and enjoy a delicious meal paired with Vivanco’s exceptional grape juices and wines. Vivanco is a true celebration of wine, culture, and family togetherness.
Photo: Vivanco Wine Culture Museum.
Valdemar – The Family’s Wine Legacy
Bodegas Valdemar is a winery that proudly embraces its family heritage and welcomes visitors of all ages in Oyón-Oion, Rioja Alavesa. With its commitment to sustainability, and quality winemaking, Valdemar provides a unique experience for families in Rioja: a family tour.
The winery offers guided tours that cater to children, allowing them to discover the winemaking process in a fun and interactive way. Kids can participate in grape-stomping activities, learn about fermentation, and even try their hand at blending wines. Valdemar’s knowledgeable guides ensure an educational yet entertaining experience for the whole family.
Following the clues found on the tour of the winerie and overcoming fun challenges, the youngsters will help Pedro, the little Count of Valdemar, to recover his magic grapes.
By participating in a gymkhana the children will have fun learning; there will be a game of aromas, must-tasting, a hunt among the barrels with a torch… a hugely fun activity they’ll never forget.
They’ll also have a great time in the play area only for them and will take away special gifts including the “Magic Grapes” story. Meanwhile, the adults, who will take the same route as the children, will taste 3 wines matched to an aperitif while having fun watching how the youngsters have a great time learning.
Photo: Bodegas Valdemar.
Eguren Ugarte – Nature, Wine, and Adventure
If you’re looking for a winery that combines the beauty of nature with wine tastings, look no further than Eguren Ugarte. Nestled amidst stunning vineyards and rolling hills, this family-owned winery offers a range of activities for visitors of all ages on the outskirts of Laguardia, Páganos, Rioja Alavesa.
Visit the underground caves, up to 2 km in length, excavated by hand by the family for more than a century and a half. Smell and feel where their wines mature. Embark on a tractor tour through the vineyards, where children can learn about grape cultivation and the importance of the land in winemaking. The winery also features a charming miniature train ride, providing a delightful journey through the picturesque estate.
For a truly immersive experience, Eguren Ugarte offers the opportunity to become a winemaker for a day. Children can participate in a hands-on workshop, where they’ll learn the art of wine blending and create their own unique concoctions.
While the kids engage in their wine adventure, parents can sample Eguren Ugarte’s award-winning wines and take in the breathtaking views. Eguren Ugarte is a winery that combines adventure, nature, and the world of wine, creating an experience that the whole family will cherish.
Your wine tourism experiences can be completed in its delicious restaurant and the family can relax in the Eguren Ugarte charming hotel.
Photo: Eguren Ugarte.
Franco-Españolas – Tradition and Playfulness
Located in the heart of Logroño, five minutes walking from the old town, Bodegas Franco-Españolas is a winery with a rich 125 years old history and a playful spirit. This family-friendly winery invites visitors to explore its historical cellars while engaging in activities designed to captivate young minds.
The children will learn about the grape harvesting process and will do fun activities specially designed for their age, while their parents enjoy the place for an hour and a half. The children will make crafts with corks, learn to tread the grapes and many other activities to enjoy to the fullest.
Grape harvest with the family, winemaker for a day, Hallowine or the outdoor summer cinema are other interesting activities. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the perfect blend of tradition and playfulness at Franco-Españolas.
Photo: Bodegas Franco-Españolas.
Bohedal – A Sensory Wine Experience
Bohedal is not just a winery; it’s a sensory delight that will captivate the entire family. Situated in the picturesque village of Cuzcurrita de Río Tirón, La Rioja, this boutique winery offers a unique sensory experience for visitors of all ages.
Begin your visit with a guided tour, where children can learn about the winemaking process through interactive exhibits and captivating stories. Engage their senses with the “Wine Aromas” workshop, where kids can identify different aromas and develop their olfactory skills.
Bohedal’s idyllic vineyards provide the perfect backdrop for a leisurely stroll, allowing children to connect with nature while parents indulge in the winery’s exquisite wines. A visit to Bohedal is an immersive sensory adventure that will leave lasting impressions for the whole family.
Photo: Bohedal.
Bodegas Lozano – A Blend of Tradition and Innovation
Bodegas Lozano is a winery that seamlessly blends traditional winemaking techniques with innovative approaches. Located in Leza, Rioja Alavesa, this family-run winery offers a warm welcome to visitors of all ages.
Children can embark on a guided tour, where they’ll discover the winemaking process from grape to bottle. The winery also features a hands-on workshop, allowing kids to become mini-winemakers and create their own grape juice.
The Guess That Aroma Game/Tour is an enjoyable experience where kids will explore every single “hidden” corner in the winery from their experimental vineyard to the vintage wine cellar, discovering the secrets of cork making and origins of the barrels. Do you know the aromas hidden in a wine? Guess that aroma! is a fun, family game to find out.
While the kids embrace their winemaking adventure, parents can savor Bodegas Lozano’s exceptional wines and food, characterized by their depth of flavor and exceptional quality. Bodegas Lozano offers a perfect blend of tradition and innovation, making it an excellent choice for a family-friendly winery visit.
Photo: Bodegas Lozano.
Bilbao in a fun way!
You’ll find plenty of activities to entertain the kids also in the Basque city of Bilbao, only an hour and a half’s drive from Logroño. From fascinating museums to boat tours, beautiful beaches, nature parks and aquariums, there’s more than enough here to fill a whole week of exploring.
The city’s Itsasmuseum (Bilbao’s Maritime Museum) is one of the best for kids in Bilbao, with plenty to keep them fascinated and entertained. Housed in an old shipyard, there’s lots of space here for them to play, as well as many interactive exhibits and large ships to see and climb onto. Kids and adults alike will enjoy learning how Bilbao turned into an important shipping city.
Activities in wineries can be combined in Rioja with other exciting family experiences, such as nature walks (almost a quarter of the territory of La Rioja is a biosphere reserve) or the world of dinosaurs in Barranco Perdido in Enciso. The fossilized footprints of these prehistoric animals are spread over 110 sites, most of which can be visited, in twenty municipalities in La Rioja.
Photo: Itsasmuseum Bilbao.
Let the magic begin
Bilbao-Rioja Great Wine Capital offers a treasure trove of wineries that provide family-friendly experiences, combining the world of wine with interactive activities for children. From the enchanting Villa Lucía to the cultural adventure at Vivanco, and the sensory delights of Bohedal, each winery offers a unique experience that caters to the entire family.
So, pack your bags and embark on an unforgettable journey to Rioja and Bilbao, where both adults and children can revel in the joys of wine culture and the joy of the landscape of wine. Let the magic of these family-friendly wineries create memories that will last a lifetime!
Text by Liz Aldayturriaga
Learn more about Bilbao-Rioja Great Wine Capitals