Vineyard rows alternating between walled villages and cellars are the characteristics of the best known part of Alava, where good wine with the Denominación de Origen Rioja label of quality is produced. Tempranillo grape, together with the region's geological and climatological conditions, is responsible for the excellent quality of the wines that play such an important role in local life.

Under the shelter of the Cantabrian mountain range, 12,000 ha of vineyards spread up to the Ebro valley, covering the landscape with an intense green colour in spring, but with a golden-reddish colour in autumn. Its lands are privileged for vine growing. Thus, two hundred wineries produce delicious wines that will satisfy the most refined palates.

In addition to this, Rioja Alavesa adapts to new ages and combines tradition with the most modern technological advances when producing the wine.

Besides, over the last years new cellars have been erected. Some of them are really appealing for tourists due to their modernist architectural lines, such as Ysios and Baigorri by Santiago Calatrava and Iñaki Aspiazu, or Frank Gehry's Marques de Riscal. Undoubtedly, wine tasting and visits to cellars have turned into one of the main tourist demands in the area, along with the valuable artistic and architectural heritage hosted by the region in the shape of walled villages, ancestral houses and prehistoric remains.

Region with history

Laguardia is one of the 15 municipalities of the Rioja Alavesa that stands out. Located on a hillock, it was a village of enormous military and commercial importance in the Middle Ages. Nowadays, it still offers the odd stretch of wall and the entrance gates to its fortified town, in addition to numerous stately homes dating fom the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. The Gothic doorway of Santa María de los Reyes is the only one in the State still perfectly to conserve its polychromy.

Many are the prehistoric remains that bear witness to the early human presence in the area. On the feet of Rioja Alavesa's capital we will find the prehistoric municipality of La Hoya, whereas in the municipality of El Villar we'll see the outstanding dolmens of "El Encinal" and "La Chabola de la hechicera."

Although Laguardia is the most important borough in the area, other including Leza, Elciego, Oyón-Oion, Lapuebla de Labarca or Labastida are also highly interesting for tourists. Labastida, sheltered by the Toloño Mountain, is a very frequented summit by mountaineers due to its attractive silhouette. On the top, the location gives an excellent view of the Ebro valley and its river flowing through the Rioja Alavesa. Smaller villages, such as Salinillas de Buradón, still house the originally walled village centres that witnessed the intensive history of its prosperous winemaking region of Alava.