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August has something special to offer on the Rioja Alta Wine Route. The villages come alive with their patron saint festivals, the vineyards begin to change, heralding the approaching grape harvest, and the terraces of the wineries invite you to enjoy long, leisurely after-dinner conversations in the open air. But this year, there is also an event that will make this summer a once-in-a-lifetime experience: the total solar eclipse on 12 August.
It will be one of the most significant astronomical events of recent decades, and Rioja Alta is among the best places to witness it. That’s why several wineries and establishments along the Rioja Alta Wine Route have organised exclusive experiences that combine astronomy, wine, gastronomy and nature in a privileged setting: the vineyard.
The most eagerly awaited eclipse… amongst the vineyards
Rarely does nature offer a spectacle like the one we’ll experience this August. For a few minutes, day will turn to night, and the vineyards of Rioja Alta will be the perfect setting to enjoy this unique phenomenon.
To mark the occasion, our partners have put together some very special events: guided observations with experts, wine tastings, live music, canapés, dinners amongst the vines, visits to wineries and prime vantage points from which to experience the eclipse in an unforgettable way.
Each experience has its own character, but they all share the same aim: to turn an exceptional event into a memory that will last a lifetime.
If you’re thinking of experiencing the eclipse in Rioja Alta, we recommend booking as soon as possible, as many of these activities have limited places.
Summer is also enjoyed in the villages
August is also the month of the patron saint festivals. The town squares come alive with music, the streets are bustling with people, and every village proudly showcases its traditions.
It’s the perfect time to discover charming villages, take a leisurely stroll through their historic centres, enjoy the local cuisine and soak up that warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes every visitor feel like a local.
Because here, the festivals aren’t just watched from the sidelines; they’re lived.
The vineyard begins to herald the grape harvest
Meanwhile, the landscape changes almost every day. The vineyard enters one of the most beautiful stages of the year: veraison, when the bunches begin to take on shades of green, pink and purple, signalling that the grape harvest is drawing ever closer.
It’s the perfect time to explore paths through the vineyards, discover natural viewpoints, enjoy cycle routes or simply stop to admire a landscape in the midst of transformation.
Wine bars, terraces and experiences to savour the summer
Summer also invites you to make the most of the long afternoons. The wine bars at our wineries, the terraces amongst the vineyards, guided tours, tastings and gastronomic experiences continue to offer the best way to discover the region with all five senses.
A glass of wine at sunset, a conversation with no time constraints and the landscape as your dining companion are, more often than not, the best way to spend a summer’s evening.
September is just round the corner… and bookings are flying off the shelves
Following the eclipse, another of the year’s highlights is just around the corner: the grape harvest. September and October are the most eagerly anticipated months for visiting the Rioja Alta Wine Route, and also the busiest.
If you want to experience the vineyards in full swing, learn first-hand about the winemaking process and enjoy the landscape at its most spectacular, now is the time to plan your getaway.
