Wine fairs and en primeur weeks in Rioja worth planning a trip around, by month.
Wine fairs and en primeur weeks in Rioja worth planning a trip around, by month.
On 29 June, San Pedro's day, the people of Haro follow the mayor on a seven-kilometre procession up to the Hermitage of San Felices in the Bilibio cliffs, then drench one another in red wine from jugs, buckets and bottles. Declared of National Tourist Interest in 1965.
Host: Ayuntamiento de Haro
Tip: Wear white, bring a change of clothes and a wine-proof bag for your phone; the 7am climb to San Felices is the heart of it, not the town square.
Held in June in Haro's station district, the world's densest cluster of century-old bodegas, this ticketed tasting opens the cellars of CVNE, Muga, La Rioja Alta, Roda, Gomez Cruzado and Bilbainas Vina Pomal in a single day with tapas by leading chefs. The 2026 edition falls on 13 June.
Host: Asociacion Barrio de la Estacion de Haro
Tip: Tickets are limited and the early-bird allocation sells fastest; the introductory-price tier opens in September the year before.
Logrono's patronal festival around 11 June commemorates the 1521 defence of the city against French troops. The signature ritual is the distribution of bread, fish and wine at the Revellin walls, with Rioja poured free to the crowd as part of the historic vow.
Host: Ayuntamiento de Logrono
Tip: Catch the bread, fish and wine handout at the Murallas del Revellin on the morning of 11 June; it is the most wine-soaked moment of the week.
Logrono's harvest festival peaks on 21 September, San Mateo's day, with the pisado de la uva grape-treading in the Paseo del Espolon: two costumed treaders crush the first grapes and the new must is offered to the Virgen de Valvanera, patron of La Rioja, to mark the start of harvest.
Host: Ayuntamiento de Logrono and Gobierno de La Rioja
Tip: The grape-treading and first-must offering happen at the Concha del Espolon on 21 September; arrive early for a clear view of the vat.
Peak wine-travel season in Rioja is spring through autumn, with harvest the standout window.
classified-growth and grand-cru estates require booking days to weeks ahead; smaller family domaines often take walk-ins midweek.
most estates open 10:00 to 17:00 by appointment, often closed Sunday and Monday.
tipping is not expected at tastings; buying a bottle from the cellar door is the customary thank-you.
Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Rioja rewards trust.