Bespoke Journeys in Northern Spain
A Journey Through La Rioja and Northern Spain at Harvest Time
This is where Northern Spain reveals its deepest character.
Where vineyard rows ripple across golden hills, medieval villages stand watch over centuries of winemaking, and life unfolds at the pace of the land. A place where wine is not simply poured, but shared and where every meal, every walk, every encounter connects you to something enduring.
Barrels & Friends is an immersive journey into the cultural and culinary soul of Northern Spain. Timed around the harvest season, this experience invites you beyond the surface into family wineries, mountain villages, ancient monasteries and landscapes shaped by generations. Along the way, you’ll discover not just exceptional wines, but the people, traditions and quiet rituals that give them meaning.
When
February, December, January
Price
From €5,200pp excl. flights (based on 2 ppl sharing)
How long
6 nights
Navarre
Wild Landscapes & Living Wine Heritage
Crossing into neighbouring Navarre, the landscape becomes more rugged and expansive. A walk through the Lokiz mountain range offers open views and a deeper connection to the natural rhythms of the region.
At Propiedad Arínzano, one of Spain’s oldest estates, a private visit and relaxed vineyard lunch provide a window into centuries of winemaking continuity.
By evening, you arrive in Pamplona. Walking through its historic streets, you trace the path of the famous Running of the Bulls before settling into the old town, where informal pintxos and local wines offer a lively and authentic experience of northern Spanish social life.
Arrival into Wine Country
Your journey begins in La Rioja, one of Europe’s most revered wine regions and a landscape defined by its balance of beauty and tradition.
Based in the historic hilltop village of Briones, you’ll settle into life among vineyards that have shaped this region for centuries. Walking through quiet stone streets and overlooking endless rows of vines, you begin to understand that wine here is not simply produced, it is lived.
Visits to family-run wineries offer personal insight into multigenerational traditions, where each bottle reflects both land and lineage. In Haro, the historic heart of Rioja, you’ll sit down to a traditional lunch centred around regional specialities, paired naturally with exceptional local wines.
A visit to the Vivanco Museum of Wine Culture deepens the experience further, revealing wine’s influence across art, history and identity.
Evenings are unhurried, allowing time to absorb the stillness of the countryside and the rhythm of vineyard life.
Vineyards, Castles & Hidden Cellars
The landscape reveals itself best on foot. Walking alongside the River Ebro, you’ll pass vineyards that glow in amber and crimson during harvest season, with medieval castles rising quietly above the valley.
Private visits introduce you to contrasting interpretations of Rioja, from intimate family estates rooted in tradition to architecturally striking modern wineries redefining the region’s future.
In Laguardia, a medieval village perched above hundreds of underground wine cellars, history surrounds you, beneath your feet and in every stone.
Lunch is enjoyed in an unexpected and refined setting, where regional cuisine is elevated through simplicity, quality and care.
Navarre
La Rioja
La Rioja
Monasteries, Mountains & Craft Traditions
Following ancient paths once walked by pilgrims and scholars, today’s journey leads to San Millán de la Cogolla, home to the twin monasteries of Yuso and Suso, widely considered the birthplace of the written Spanish language.
After lunch at a Michelin-recommended restaurant, the journey continues into the mountains to Ezcaray, a village long known for craftsmanship and quiet elegance. Here, traditional workshops and local makers reflect a deep connection between landscape and livelihood.
Dinner draws from regional recipes shaped by generations, offering a final taste of La Rioja’s mountain culture.
Wild Landscapes & Living Wine Heritage
Crossing into neighbouring Navarre, the landscape becomes more rugged and expansive. A walk through the Lokiz mountain range offers open views and a deeper connection to the natural rhythms of the region.
At Propiedad Arínzano, one of Spain’s oldest estates, a private visit and relaxed vineyard lunch provide a window into centuries of winemaking continuity.
By evening, you arrive in Pamplona. Walking through its historic streets, you trace the path of the famous Running of the Bulls before settling into the old town, where informal pintxos and local wines offer a lively and authentic experience of northern Spanish social life.
Forests, Mythology & Culinary Legacy
Your journey culminates in the Basque highlands, where forests of ancient beech trees and quiet mountain paths lead to the Romanesque Sanctuary of San Miguel, a place where landscape and legend intertwine.
A visit to a local free-range farm introduces one of the region’s most prized culinary traditions, followed by a multi-course tasting experience celebrating the depth and precision of Basque cuisine.
The journey concludes in San Sebastián, where the evening is yours to explore at your own pace, perhaps moving between pintxo bars, discovering small wines, and reflecting on a journey shaped by land, people and time.
Farewell
After breakfast, a private transfer will take you to the airport for your onward journey.
As you leave Northern Spain behind, you’ll carry with you more than memories, but a deeper connection to its landscapes, its people, and the timeless culture of sharing wine at the source.
Cantabria
Asturias
Make It Yours
Each Northern Spain Travel family journey is carefully designed and fully customizable, ensuring experiences remain engaging, comfortable and meaningful for travelers of all ages.
This is northern Spain — experienced together, through discovery, connection and shared adventure.
Extend Your Barrels & Friends Journey
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