La Rioja is an incredible destination for people looking to experience the authentic wine culture of Spain. One of my best friends I met in Spain lived in Logroño for her first year as an Auxiliare (she is on her third year as an Auxiliare now and lives in Jaén- this is where I met her). Logroño is the Capital of La Rioja, the world renowned wine region in Northern Spain. Of course after living there for a year, she made amazing friends she kept in contact with and had been wanting to go back to visit. She invited me and another girlfriend Nadia to tag along with her and we had the most incredible weekend! We had another “puente” (long weekend) in the beginning of December and we rented a car and drove from Andalucía to La Rioja. It was about an 8.5 hour drive and we pretty much drove across the entire country, which is crazy to think about coming from the US where it would maybe take a week to drive across the entire country. If you are a food and wine lover, La Rioja is the place for you! One of the things I absolutely love about Spain is that the bar and restaurant scene is a family affair. Babies, abuelitos, niños – the whole family is out and about – day drinking in the streets, staying out at the bars until 3am – it doesn’t seem like anyone has a bed time in Spain.
There is a famous street in Logroño called Calle Del Laurel and it is known for their “pinchos” bars. Pinchos are Northern Spain’s version of tapas. Usually little appetizers on a tooth pick or skewer. Normally, they are all lined up behind the bar and when you order a drink you choose a pincho to go with it. They cost between 2-5 euros each. We spent a lot of time on Calle Laurel because our Airbnb was one street over. It is such a lively and fun area and we got the full experience being right in the center of it all. This area is always packed with people eating and drinking in the streets and there’s often live performances – singers, dancers on every corner (except during siesta time when everyone rests up to go back out again). At one point during one of our nights out, Carla and I did a salsa performance in front of a big crowd, I wonder how many instagram stories we ended up on haha…
On our first day we did a beautiful walk over the bridge to our first winery - within the city of Logroño - called Bodega Franco Españoles.
We went on a private tour and had a tasting in the retail shop. The wines were incredible - especially at 11am!
Calle Laurel.
We made our way to Calle Laurel for lunch and pinchos! Veggie skewer with some magical green sauce.. the flavors were unreal!
And more wine
And more food! The most amazing patatas bravas I've ever had. Bar Jubera is a MUST!!! We went back again the next day for more.
Change of scenery to Wine Fandango.. super cute spot to drink or eat.. and they had live music.
More wine, what a surprise!
Streets of Logroño.
Day 2, we did a wine tasting and tour at Bodegas Casa Primicia SA in Laguardia, just outside of Logroño - it was a nice drive through the vineyards to get there. They have an ancient cave where wine is stored and is the oldest building of the village.
Standing over one of the caves (in my "new"leather vintage find boots - I found them the day before for 15 euros - score!)
After wine tasting we had a reservation at a restaurant (we were with friends of the chef/owner) where the chef prepared a special vegan wine & food pairing for us. Artichoke hearts to start with ^
The restaurant is called Mesón Jabugo en barra. Chef Domingo, we love you!
Salmorejo - tomato garlic deliciousness.
Mushroom risotto!
More patatas!
We literally didn't stop eating or drinking this entire trip. Bar Soriano has the best mushrooms (Setas).
Mushroom party!
Carla with a different type of mushroom than above- smothered in garlic, olive oil, served over a piece of fresh baked bread. I would do anything to eat one of these mushrooms right now. Carla is so cute!
Every Spanish city has a beautiful Catedral :)
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