Events all, Meetings among Incentive trips vineyards 1 INDEX 02 Rioja Alavesa Wine District 08 Location and Communications 09 Rioja Alavesa Wine Route with great 12 Your Event in Rioja Alavesa pleasure 16 Meeting Facilities and Venues 17 Accommodation PUBLISHER Rioja Alavesa Wine Route 18 Gastronomy Mayor, 68 • 01300 Laguardia (Álava) 20 Services 21 Shopping (0034) 945 600 710 [email protected] www.rutadelvinoderiojaalavesa.com 22 Leisure, Activities and Incentive Programmes 25 Our Meeting Facilities WINE A PLEASURE CALLED CULTURE AND RIOJA ALAVESA MUCH MORE… short distance from Bilbao Airport, in the Basque Country, A along the banks of the Ebro River and descending along the slopes of the Cantabria Mountain Range, Rioja Alavesa is an immense vineyard speckled with medieval villages; a magical area with a great cultural, gastronomic and natural heritage. It is gifted with a privileged microclimate, ideal for growing vines. This quality has made the region a key player in the wine-making industry in Spain. A TRUE PLEASURE With a population of 12,500 inhabitants, Rioja The short distances between these Alavesa is comprised by 15 municipalities municipalities and the ease of access are RIOJA ALAVESA WINE DISTRICT (Baños de Ebro, Kripan, Elciego, Elvillar, the perfect excuse to wander into stunning Labastida, Laguardia, Lanciego, Lapuebla de landscapes that offer a wonderful scene of Labarca, Leza, Moreda de Alava, Navaridas, never-ending vineyards, dotted with olive Oyon, Samaniego, Villabuena de Alava and trees, millenary dolmens and majestic wineries Yecora) and 4 Administrative Councils that are hundreds of years old next to the he combination of wineries, tourism, cuisine, architecture This innovative Wine Route with its particular itinerary and (Barriobusto, Labraza, Paganos and Salinillas most daring and avant-garde architectural and art is reinventing one of the most attractive regions multiple activities, has consolidated Rioja Alavesa as an essential T de Buradon), all of which have traditionally proposals of the moment. on the international wine-making scene. destination for travellers looking for different aromas, flavours, been linked to wine-making culture, and landscapes and sensations. And all this in perfect harmony. preserve the charm of medieval villages standing amongst vines, treasuring a vast natural, archaeological and artistic heritage. 3 THE LANDSCAPE AND THE PEOPLE iven its moderate dimensions and ease of access, Rioja guidelines of the Qualified Designation of Origin Rioja and that GAlavesa is begging to be travelled from dawn to dusk, enjoy well-deserved international prestige. enjoying nature, art, gastronomy and people who know that The quality of the wines is owed to a great extent to the calcareous conversation, hospitality and a warm welcome are a way of clay quality of the soil, the location of the vines and, above all, to life. But it is also an itinerary packed with events throughout the dedication of the people who combine the historical heritage the year that is creating a new concept in tourism. of wine-making with new technologies. Red wines are the most representative product of the area, although in recent years a Wine-making is the central theme of this territory. taste for white wine has also been increasing. Currently, the region has 13,500 hectares of vineyards and about 300 wineries that produce around 100 The main national brands have wineries in the areas, which million bottles of wine, produced in accordance with the perfectly exemplifies the quality of their products. 5 WINERIES MODERN WINERIES, DESIGNED BY SOME OF THE BEST ARCHITECTS IN WORLD SETTING COLOURS AND SHAPES 13.500 hectares of vineyards his territory contains 13.500 hectares of vineyards and about 300 wineries that 300 wineries Tproduce around 100 million bottles of wine under the supervision and control of 100 million bottles of wine the Control Board of the Qualified Designation of OriginRioja , which guarantees that the grapes are grown locally and that the wine is produced in the region. The varying types of wineries constitute Travellers will enjoy unique experiences in the heart of this destination. From vineyards and wineries, admire the breath- ancestral underground cellars, still taking landscapes, and choose from any preserving the artisan traditional wine- number of popular festivities and activities, making techniques, to the most modern such as trekking, rural tourism, hotels and wineries, designed by some of the cosy, charming venues. Stay the night or best architects in the world for the enjoy a type of cuisine that remains true to most famous brands. The seduction of its ancient traditions, based on legumes, these contrasts combines well with wine vegetables, cured pork, meats and sweets. A as something festive, offering pleasure tradition that has given the popular Spanish and joy. cookbook some of its best dishes. 7 RIOJA ALAVESA LOCATION AND WINE ROUTE AN ORGANISATION AT YOUR SERVICE COMMUNICATIONS ince the Rioja Alavesa Wine Route was created in 2005 with institutional support, Sthe Association for the promotion of tourism in Rioja Alavesa has worked to secure Rioja Alavesa´s rightful place as a top destination in the tourism and conference sectors. ioja Alavesa is the southernmost region of the Basque Country. RThe international airport of Bilbao is one hour by car and The basic purpose of the Rioja Alavesa Wine Route Convention Department, a specialized connects Rioja Alavesa by air with. programme of the Rioja Alavesa Wine Route, is to promote the region as a venue for congresses, conventions and incentive trips. The Rioja Alavesa Wine Route represents more than 140 major national and international MAIN AIRPORTS: companies that offer their services in areas such as: • Loiu - Bilbao - 124 km. • Wineries with facilities for meetings and tourism activities. • Barajas - Madrid - 345 km. • Accommodation. • Zaragoza - 195 km. • Restaurants and catering. • Santander - 210 km. • Transport. DISTANCES FROM LAGUARDIA TO: • Incoming travel services. • Event planning and management. • Bilbao - 110 km. • Leisure companies and guided tours. • Vitoria-Gasteiz - 50 km. • Tasting hall and activities. • Donostia-San Sebastián - 160 km. • Logroño - 18 km. The Rioja Alavesa Wine Route has two distinct functions: Advisory services for business • Madrid - 360 km. planning and the organization and promotion of activities geared to promoting the organization of meetings in Rioja Alavesa. • Barcelona - 500 km. 9 SEVERAL YEARS SEVERAL YEARS EXPERIENCE OF • Information and assistance in selecting a Venue, accommodation and suppliers for your congress, meeting or incentive trip, activity programmes for incentive trips, Cultural and recreational programmes for delegates and SERVICES their companions, Wine tours and trips outside the region. • Provision of region and village maps as well as tourist information brochures for participants. FOR EVENT • Liaison with the region’s organisations and institutions for public and protocol services. • Coordination of inspection trips. ORGANIZERS • Logistic support for congresses and events. he Rioja Alavesa Wine Route Convention Department has two distinct functions: Advisory Tservices for business planning and the organisation and promotion of activities geared to promoting the organisation of meetings. Our team of professionals will be at your disposal to provide With several years of experience in the world of meetings and incentive trips, you can rely on the Rioja Alavesa Wine Route to assist you. any details and information you may require 11 Do you have to organize a meeting or event for your company and you are looking for an innovative proposal? f you believe that work can be combined with leisure and wine culture, you have Imade the perfect choice. Hold your conference, event, meeting or incentive trip in Rioja Alavesa. RIOJA ALAVESA. THE PERFECT CHOICE ioja Alavesa offers the possibility of organizing events, conferences, meetings Rand incentive trips in a unique destination, a huge vineyard dotted with medieval villages and wineries, which also offer the most modern and complete facilities. A wide range of hotels and restaurants, rooms and spaces, plenty of leisure activities as well as singular and unique wine-related experiences together with the professionalism YOUR EVENT and expertise of the people will make your event a success that everyone will remember. Rioja Alavesa wineries now provide the opportunity of combining “business and leisure” Organizing the perfect event in a unique setting. Our multi-purpose rooms and halls with different capacities and IN RIOJA ALAVESA is always a challenge. first class technical means will facilitate the smooth running of any event. 13 WHAT RIOJA ALAVESA HAS TO OFFER Get to know Rioja Alavesa: its medieval towns and its history. Enjoy a unique and pure landscape with the Rioja Alavesa Wine Route. eel the pleasure of sleeping among barrels A true pleasure. Fand vineyards. The wide range of hotels in Rioja Alavesa will enable users to hold business Visit its many famous wineries on a journey from tradition to modernity; meetings in comfortable multipurpose rooms, taste its excellent, prestigious wines. equipped with the necessary technical means Eno-gastronomic gymkhanas, vineyard experiences, tasting sessions, music and with accommodation for the participants. and wine pairings and much more... Relax with tempranillo on your skin in the Enjoy its excellent cuisine. wine spas. Enjoy themed leisure activities: from