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I'm so captivated by the Rioja grape-growing appellations and the Basque region of Spain. Perhaps because I first experienced this relatively untouched part of northern Spain through the eyes of my Spanish friends, Angel, Marian and Ignacio. Angel and Marian own the top restaurant in the area, La Vieja Bodega, where we'll have our cooking classes, during which we'll grill baby lamb chops over vine cuttings, smoke pimientos over an open fire and fry crispy golden potatoes in delicious Spanish extra virgin olive oil. Ignacio works with me to organize this extraordinary culinary journey, including visits to the top bodegas, or wineries, for private tastings of the elegant Tempranillo wines! We'll do plenty of tapas-hopping in the local wine villages and the gorgeous city by the sea, San Sebastian. And it wouldn’t be a trip to La Rioja without visiting Dinastia Vivanco, truly the most fantastic wine museum in the world. I'd love to tell you about the last celebration night but I promised to keep it a secret until then. Come with me to experience the real Spain, a trip and a place you will never forget.
Click here to view a BBC video featuring La Rioja's wineries and modern architecture & my friend Angel from La Vieja Bodega |
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Tour of Haro, wine capital of the region, known for its annual "La Batalla del Vino" event, during which locals hold a wine battle by soaking their opponents in wine.
- Visit to Laguardia, a walled medieval village and gateway to experiencing the Rioja wine region.
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Hands-on cooking classes led by Joanne in the restaurant kitchen of La Vieja Bodega, owned by her friends Angel and Marian.
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Visit Dinastía Vivanco Museum of the Culture of Wine near Briones, featuring wine-making artifacts, art, and the world's largest display of corkscrews from 18th Century to present.
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Spend the day in San Sebastián in the Basque Country. City tour, lunch and free time in this beautiful seaside village.
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Tasting of Txakolina - a slightly sparkling dry white wine poured in an exuberant arc from a bottle held high above the shoulder into tumblers to create a burst of bubbles in the glass.
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Wine tasting and tours at Muga or Roda wineries.
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Dinner at the home of Joanne's winemaker friend in the hilltop village of Labastida, between the Toloño mountain and the Ebro River.
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Limited group size to ensure everyone receives lots of personal attention.
Copies of all my Spanish recipes and a beautiful embroidered apron.
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All accommodations, hands-on cooking classes, all meals and wine, excursions, and private tastings during the trip week.
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US $5,000.00 per person, double occupancy
(Airfare not included)
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