Torre de Oña, a winery-château
STONE WINERIES
Its merit lies in evolving without losing the north, in growing between thick walls and in disassociating the past from the traditional and conservative. And, of course, without forgetting the wine.
Ona Tower
On the slopes of the hill on which Laguardia stands (with the consequent views that this entails) is one of the few Château-cellars in the region. This milestone not only translates into the vindication of a wine that is made exclusively from the vineyards that surround its facilities (here identified as 'paid wine' ,) but also in the stately aspect of all its buildings. In particular, that of the stately home where all eyes converge . Palatial in appearance, it respects the royal architecture of the surroundings without losing an iota of monumentality. It has two degrees of enjoyment:
- Very high: walking among the vineyards that surround it. - Highest: renting it and feeling like the king of the castle, well, like this Château in Alava.
ostatus
Years go by but Ostatu continues to preserve the character of fonda, of sale, mandatory stop at the entrance to Samaniego. His stone soul invites you to cross his wooden door, to taste (whoever despises his young red here deserves jail) and enjoy your social zone , built with care, where it presides over a bar and a small shop where you can buy, in small doses, the gastronomic DNA of the area.
The manor house, and winery, to the French château
Scoop House
The latest project added to the claim of the past has been a revolution. First, for being on and under the skin of Laguardia , that always adds up. Second, for having carried out an intelligent (and award-winning) reform where being respect the soul of a centennial building giving it camouflaged modernity. And third, for pretending end the monopoly of tempranillo thanks to its wonderful monovarietals. Given this, who can resist taking a walk through the oldest winery on the planet?
red hot vineyards
Valdelana
It is difficult to gain a foothold in Elciego, with the Marquis ruling and receiving his noble and common subjects (those who are only looking for the photo). However, this small family winery has much more chicha behind its walls than its rural appearance preludes. The labyrinthine visit through the corridors and cellars where the first family winery was located gives a lot of itself.
For now, its stairs are accessed through an old confessional that serves as a door to another world. Down below, its superb tunnels are used as archaeological and ethnological museum where the relationship of the region with agriculture and viticulture is exposed. Later, the nooks and crannies show all the stages of winemaking and harvesting , in a zigzag that earns points for being produced by old tanks, presses and warehouses. However, the highlight is the chapel , where distributors and other clients have their own wines, always observed by a 16th century altar presided over by the Virgen de la Plaza.
A small (but tough) family winery
the fabulist
Is nice winery located in the center of Laguardia has the honor of having brought wine tourism to Rioja Alavesa with originality and dynamism. During your visit, there is no lack of an explanation of how the grape becomes wine or a walk through its centenary cellars, set up with care so that every child of a neighbor can enjoy a tasting. It is the most “for all audiences” winery in the region, where they make the most of this peculiar setting with thematic and even erotic visits.
EAT AND SLEEP WITH LOVE
When the skin and the stomach cry out for tenderness, closeness and good manners, you have to go to these places.
Tetris and Laguardia
The boom in wine tourism affected, above all, this town that it had to become capital overnight . But no matter how much it evolved, its motley urban plan forced it to maintain its rural essence with charming establishments where you could sleep the old-fashioned way, such as Legado de Ugarte or Aitetxe. Always with the plus of being nestled between the mansions of its streets without forgetting the comforts and demands of the 21st century.
Rural and grounded
El Collado Castle
This is the most charismatic and historic establishment in Laguardia. This hotel and restaurant occupies the skeleton of a building from 1900 whose first owners had quite a historicist taste. This does that look like a castle , that its rooms respond to medieval names and that antiques stand out in its decoration. It has its public, but whoever gets too bad about the chivalric leitmotif will always have its restaurant, very correct, with attentive service and unpretentious cuisine that embroiders it with local dishes.
The most charismatic establishment in Laguardia
Hosteria los Parajes
Here, the Chari commands, proposes and attends with great education and taste. The work of her owner has made this establishment located in the center of Laguardia a waste of charisma and quality in all its services . In its beautiful openwork it is beautiful while in its restaurant it eats spectacularly. Its main grace is that of satiate the urbanite , that of looking for the best ingredients from the surroundings to remind him what food should taste like. And on top of that, doing it with a modern kitchen in the right measure. This detail is also enjoyed at bedtime with spacious rooms, with the best qualities and a hyper careful service. In summary, How would our friends' grandmothers treat us when we go to their town? raised to the nth power.
Charisma and quality in the hands of Chari
Eguren Ugarte
Although this prestigious winery had been teaching itself gracefully and efficiently for years, the opening of its small hotel has elevated it to the category of new icon in the skyline of the region thanks to its tower . In its shadow grows an entire complex with a winery, a restaurant with good intentions and even an artificial cave for small events. Plus, 21 delicate rooms with views of vineyards, something that should be paid at the price of gold.
The tower of your hotel is part of the landscape of Páganos
Samaniego Palace
Behind the door of the most beautiful civil building in Samaniego appears the smile of Jon Ugalde . The history of this hotel is directly linked to that of this cook turned manager who has been putting sanity to dreams for more than 10 years and trying to monetize this beautiful place. His rooms do not forget that they have to continue to provide a palace service while his real secret is in the kitchen . Even the small restaurant is attended by foodies, gourmets and food journalists who wonder why Jon is pulling the rope until he gets a Michelin star. And Jon responds with the resounding tranquility of knowing that he has it in his hands ( “According to what they tell me, my dishes do have a star” ) but that he is also a realist and knows the possibilities of his living room, his small team and his humble kitchen.
More than 10 years giving to the kitchen
Rural House Osante
Calle Mayor and its extension, Frontín, are the soul of that Renaissance Labastida , the one that grew with the money of the settlers of America. Here, in one of those noble houses, you will find this cozy, familiar and perfectly cared for rural house where you can feel at home. One of those places that sophisticated rural accommodation.
Arabarte
Yes, it is a winery, but the grace of this building is to come on weekends at noon to enjoy with the countrymen of Villabuena de Álava of the aperitif. If time allows, it's always worth it go up to its lookout tower to govern the region with a good camera lens . But, in any case, its bar and its views are tempting and its kitchen kidnaps the visitor until the food. Tempting seasonal dishes and those red meats with which to pair the wine from the cellar come out of their kitchens.
Wine, stoves and good views
Hector Oribe
Héctor Oribe grew up in the best Basque kitchens and came to the small town of Páganos to put what he had learned into practice. In his dishes there is a bit of everything, of these new techniques , of the search for surprise and the new, but without losing sight of the cultural and conjunctural demands of the area . The just modernities, but without neglecting the need to innovate in a very established local gastronomy and somewhat controlled by the dictatorship of tannins. He is working on it, hoping to surprise everyone from April 1.
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