San Sebastian is surrounded by world-class wine country – take a tour from the city to discover incredible whites and reds that are unique to this part of the world.
(Photo: getyourguide.com)
A visit to San Sebastian is the perfect springboard for exploring the many great wines in Northern Spain. From reds in Rioja to sparkling whites in nearby Getaria, one of the homelands of Txakoli, there is something for every palette. Just a day trip will allow access to one or more of the wine areas, with wineries often nestled in far flung corners of the rolling countryside, apparently lost in time. Book a professional tour and set aside a day to discover the region’s best tipples – here are three of the best San Sebastian winery tours.
Rioja Uncorked – Private Wineries Trip
Rioja is arguably the most famous wine region in Spain, producing wines that are often rich and full-bodied. This tour visits four premium wineries, for a total of 10 wine tastings, as well as visiting the medieval town of Laguardia to see its baroque churches. During the ten-hour private excursion a guide and driver will take you to three of Northern Spain’s regions – the mountainous forests of Euskadi, the flat dry fields of Castile, and the large expanses of vineyards on the gentle hills of Rioja – explaining the history and traditions in each. It’s fascinating stuff and there is even enough food during the pairings to negate the need for lunch. From €375.
Book at Getyourguide.com
Guided Coastal Hike with Winery Visit
(Photo: getyourguide.com)
For anyone who likes to feel like they need to have earned a nice glass of wine, then this is the tour for you. The guided hike takes you along the Basque coastline, visiting two coastal villages and a local farmer’s market to try different breads, cheeses and cider. The tour then visits a txakoli winery, with the chance to sample three local wines, all paired with pintxos featuring tuna, cheese, and salted anchovies from the village. The trip finishes with a visit to the pretty coastal town of Getaria, with alluring narrow streets adorned with medieval buildings and wooden balconies. The good news is you don’t have to walk back from there – the local bus will take you all the way to San Sebastian. From €150.
Book at Getyourguide.com
Getaria Txakoli Wine Tour with Hotel Pick-up from San Sebastian
Txakoli is one of the Basque region’s best known white wines. It is slightly sparkling and can be seen being copiously quaffed in almost every San Sebastian bar. This half-day tour takes you to two Txakoli-producing coastal towns, Getaria and Zarautz, with an in-depth look at what makes this wine so special. Visit vineyards and producers of Txakoli, sampling wines with pintxos and other local delicacies. The tour includes a hotel pick-up and drop-off, so all you need to worry about is picking you favourite wine – and maybe taking a bottle home. From €135.
Book at Viator.com