Got To Go To Elceigo

On the way to Bilbao we passed through La Rioja, a province that is to Northern Spain what Sonoma and Napa are to Northern California. We stopped for the night in Elceigo.

The Cathedral in Elceigo

The Cathedral in Elceigo

The entire region is dotted with hundreds of wineries. Imagine that in the midst of all this you’d like to separate your business from the riff raff. What do you do? Well, if you’re the Marques de Riscal winery, you take a look up the road to Bilbao and think, “Hey, if the Guggenheim can do it, why not us?’  Then you pick up the phone and call “1800GetFrank” and in one bold stroke you elevate your medium sized vino factory above all comers and transform it into to a world class destination complete with extensive tours, every hour, in 5 languages, a great big gift and wine shop, a five star hotel, café, super spa and a renowned restaurant.

Frank Gehry In Elceigo

Frank Gehry In Elceigo

The Frank Gehry designed building sits at the top of the hill glimmering in the sun. Like a giant magnet it sucks in buses and cars from all over the continent. It is a force of nature, when you see it shining on the horizon you just can’t help but stop. And I don’t even drink wine.

Marques de Riscal Winery

Marques de Riscal Winery

Sundial

Sundial

Marques de Riscal Winery - Detail

Marques de Riscal Winery – Detail

Marques de Riscal Winery

Marques de Riscal Winery

Marques de Riscal Winery

Marques de Riscal Winery

Just be patient

Just be patient

Marques de Riscal

Marques de Riscal

Marques de Riscal Winery and Restaurant

Marques de Riscal Winery and Restaurant

All roads end at the wine tasting.

At the wine tasting

Wendi and our trusty tour guide.

 Bottoms Up

5 thoughts on “Got To Go To Elceigo

  1. Diane Jackson

    What a cool winery and great idea with tours/lodging. The scenery is gorgeous. I am so glad you are enjoying Spain and living the good life! Take care; I am awaiting your next stop and adventure. Thanks for sharing. . . Diane

    Reply
  2. Patty Gage

    Wow that winery is so cool. The weather looks so perfect too. I love the photo of Wendi! Bottoms Up!

    Reply
  3. Blaine

    And why don’t you drink wine? It doesn’t fill you up. It is sexy and expensive when very good, or just good. It… OK. There very good reasons to not get started down this path. 🙂

    Reply
  4. Leslie

    from the looks of the architecture there has been much wine drinking for quite awhile and who did take that poor fellows button I mean is it worth dying over???

    Reply

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