Apply for the Best Of Wine Tourism Awards 2026, open call for entries

The Bilbao-Rioja Committee of the World Network of Great Wine Capitals has opened the application period for the Best of Wine Tourism 2026 awards, which can be submitted until June 30th. This is an opportunity for wineries, accommodations, restaurants, and other stakeholders in the wine tourism sector to showcase their most outstanding projects.

These awards recognize excellence in wine tourism within the Bilbao-Rioja region, which brings together companies from La Rioja, Álava, and Bizkaia. There are seven categories available: Accommodation, Gastronomic Experiences, Architecture, Parks and Gardens, Art and Culture, Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences, Wine Tourism Services, and Sustainable Practices.

These are well-established awards within the sector, serving as a platform for the most unique, creative projects committed to quality and innovation. The applications will be evaluated by a jury composed of professionals from the fields of tourism, communication, art, and wine culture. The goal is to highlight those proposals that contribute to the development of a tourism model based on authenticity, sustainability, and a connection to the region.

Interested companies can consult the rules and register through the institutions that are part of the organizing committee: the Chambers of Commerce of La Rioja, Bilbao, and Álava, the Regulatory Council of the DOCa Rioja, and the Bilbao City Council. More information can be found at this link.

The Rioja Alta Wine Route, in the Best of Wine Tourism

In recent editions of these awards, several partners of the Rioja Alta Wine Route have taken center stage. In 2025, Bodegas Bilbaínas won the award for Best Architecture, Parks, and Gardens, while Natura Resorts was also recognized in the innovative experiences category.

In the 2024 edition, Bodegas FyA was recognized for its cultural offering; the Barrio de la Estación neighborhood and its six partner wineries of the Rioja Alta Wine Route—CVNE, Gómez Cruzado, La Rioja Alta S.A., Bodegas Bilbaínas, Bodegas Muga, and Bodegas Roda—received the award for their architectural ensemble, while Grupo Criteria (Calado) was recognized for the quality of its wine tourism services. A year earlier, in 2023, Bodegas Beronia, Hotel Santa María Briones, and Vintae Wine Fest (Hacienda López de Haro) also received awards in various categories.

The presence of these names in the awards list is a testament to the excellent level of wine tourism developed on the Rioja Alta Wine Route and the sector’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the visitor experience.

The Bilbao-Rioja Best of Wine Tourism awards represent, in short, a strategic opportunity to highlight the quality of the region’s wine tourism and continue to consolidate our position as one of the most attractive destinations on the national and international scene.