For years our clients have travelled into Bilbao in northern Spain, often staying a night or two to explore the city and the famous Guggenheim museum before heading into the Rioja vineyards to taste renowned reds including those from Muga, CNVE, Marques de Riscal, and many more amazing wineries.

Guggenheim Museum

Recently though, we’ve been exploring the other possibilities, as Bilbao and its surrounding countryside is rich in culture, there is so much to experience. How’s this for a day out…

Meet a private driver/guide at your hotel in Bilbao, and enjoy a 45-minute drive from the city centre out into the spectacular landscape of Biscay; the coastal province is home to mountains, beaches, cosmopolitan cities, and fishing villages – there’s so much to discover…

First stop is to the enchanting Island of Gaztelugate, or you may know it better as the fortress of ‘Dragonstone’ from popular cult series Game of Thrones!  Connected to the mainland by a stone bridge, visitors can meander across the bridge and up the 240 stone steps which zig-zag their way to the summit of the island where a small church is situated. Admire the spectacular views of the Bay of Biscay, and learn a little of the history of this important strategic defensive coastal point or simply enjoy a selfie at a spot made famous by your favourite TV show!

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe

From here, a half hour through the hilltop villages will bring you to a typical Txakoli winery. Txakoli is the typical white wine of the Basque country; dry and lightly sparkling, it makes the perfect aperitif and uses mainly Hondarribi Zuri and Hondarribi Beltza grapes. It’s a diverse wine though, with many experimental wine-makers and the opportunity to use a number of grapes in their blends including Chardonnay, Riesling, Hondarribi Zuri Zerratia, Mune Mahatsa, Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng.

After your tour and tastings, the third and final stop to round off an exciting day is back on the coast, at the first underwater winery of the world! You’ll head out to sea on board a small boat, cruising around the bay where the wines mature beneath you! As well as learning how the wine-makers age their wines in the hidden depths of the ocean, you’ll have the opportunity to taste these unique marine influences during the cruise with a wine tasting paired with some traditional basque pinxtos.

Nearby Fishing Village

Heading back into Bilbao city centre at the end of the day, you’ll be reflecting on the adventures of your tour. A memorable experience, and an area you may never have known existed before…

Have we tickled your travel tastebuds? Get in touch on info@grapeescapes.net to explore the possibilities for your next Grape Escape to Spain!