Brittany Ferries has launched a new tour in partnership with the Rioja DOCa Control Board, offering UK and Irish travellers the chance to explore Spain’s renowned Rioja wine region.
This four-day immersive journey combines an exclusive winery stay and world-class wines with the opportunity to experience Rioja’s rich culture, landscapes, and gastronomy. Travellers from both the UK and Ireland can now book the Rioja Wine Experience as a package directly alongside their ferry tickets to Bilbao or Santander, creating a seamless, all-in-one travel solution for wine lovers.
Irish passengers can take advantage of regular sailings from Rosslare to both Bilbao and Santander, making the package accessible from Ireland.
The package includes a three-night stay at Bodegas FyA, a boutique winery hotel in the heart of Rioja, where a guided tour offers guests a first-hand look at the art of winemaking. The suggested itinerary allows travellers to discover charming villages such as Sajazarra and Laguardia, visit historic wineries in Haro’s renowned Barrio de la Estación, and enjoy wine-paired meals at the lively pintxo (tapas) bars of Logroño. Optional winery visits can be added with special discounts on tours and wine purchases.
The Rioja Wine Experience offers a flexible, self-guided experience, allowing travellers to explore at their own pace. Whether by car or motorcycle, the trip provides the freedom to tailor the itinerary to personal interests, making it an ideal option for couples, families or groups of friends looking for a memorable adventure.
Íñigo Diez, Tourism Product Specialist Destinations Experiences for Brittany Ferries said: “Northern Spain is an increasingly popular destination for Brittany Ferries passengers seeking authentic cultural and gastronomic experiences. Interest from British and Irish customers has grown significantly, and we now offer up to eight direct sailings a week in each direction between the British Isles and Spain. Rioja, with its rich winemaking heritage, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culinary scene, offers the perfect setting to explore. Travellers have the freedom to travel with their own car meaning they can explore at their leisure – and even stock up on their favourite wines to bring home.”
Recognised as one of the world’s top wine destinations, Rioja attracts close to 900,000 winery visits annually, with around 33% of visitors coming from abroad. The region boasts over 200 wineries open to the public from century-old bodegas to cutting-edge modern wineries, offering a unique blend of tradition and innovation. In the prestigious World’s Best Vineyards Awards last year, Rioja’s Bodegas De Los Herederos del Marqués de Riscal was named the top wine destination worldwide, with a further four Rioja wineries also ranked among the top 50.
This launch coincides with a milestone year for Rioja, as the region celebrates the 100th anniversary of its official designation as a Denominación de Origen (DO) – highlighting a century of winemaking excellence.
The Rioja Wine Experience is available to book now through Brittany Ferries’ website. Packages start from £416 per person from the UK and €429 per person from Ireland, including ferry crossings and accommodation. Ferries operate regularly from Portsmouth, Plymouth and Rosslare to Bilbao and Santander, with options to combine additional travel routes.
To learn more and book the Rioja Wine Experience, visit:
- UK: https://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/offers/hotel-breaks-spain/rioja-wine-experience
- Ireland: https://www.brittany-ferries.ie/offers/hotel-breaks-spain/rioja-wine-experience
