La Rioja is synonymous with great wine. The Ebro tributary Río Oja, from which the region’s name is derived, trickles through the countless vineyards and wineries that characterize the region. “Rioja” is an internationally acclaimed family of wines with an 800-year-old tradition; the ’94, ’95, ’01, and ’02 grapes received the highest ratings possible, and since 1991, it has been the only Spanish wine to earn the coveted Calificada rating. The best bodegas (wine cellars) draw from the lands in western Rioja Alta. The region also welcomes countless “peregrinos”—pilgrims—passing through as they hike the long Camino de Santiago. The Camino towns take great pride in their role in the pilgrimage and show hospitality to pilgrims and tourists alike. The smallest of Spain’s provinces, La Rioja offers a relaxed atmosphere and varying terrain—the Sierra mountains, with tranquil fields at the feet of their towering peaks, line the region’s southern border.
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