Marqués de Riscal Wineries voted second best wine tourism destination in the world

The D.O.Ca Rioja winery, Marqués de Riscal, is once again the second most valued wine tourism destination in the world, according to the World’s Best Vineyards 2023 competition. Its offer has been crowned as the top international benchmark in the world of wine, winning its silver medal for the third consecutive year, behind Argentina’s Catena Zapata. The 50 most important wine tourism destinations were announced for the first time in Spain, thanks to the reception of the Rioja designation of origin. On this occasion, the event was held at the Beronia winery, located in the Rioja village of Ollauri. There, the British Master of Wine Tim Atkin presented the top 50 wines, a list that included several Spanish names. The wine tourism proposal of Bodegas Tío Pepe de Jerez de la Frontera (González Byass group) has achieved the 21st place, followed by Vino de Pago Abadía Retuerta, from Sardón de Duero (Valladolid), in the 27th position. Closing the list of the best world destinations is Bodegas Muga de Haro, occupying the 49th position. The jury that decides the Top 50 of this ranking is made up of more than 500 world personalities related to the wine and tourism industry. In order to draw up the final result, the judges based their assessment on different criteria, including landscape, gastronomy and culture, architecture and the range of experiences and the quality of the experiences offered by each of the participating wineries. Bodegas Marqués de Riscal also stood out in the 2021 and 2022 editions as the second best vineyard and winery in the world. The winery is located in Elciego (Álava) and you can visit the City of Wine, an opportunity to travel through its history from its founding in 1858 to the present day, tasting its wines with all five senses. The experience begins in the heart of the complex, visiting the original winery built in 1860, where you will find its great treasure: the old wine cellar. Next, you will visit El Palomar, the first extension of the original facility built in 1883, where the brand’s premium wines are produced. Marqués de Riscal’s wine tourism offer also includes its Luxury Collection Hotel, designed by Frank O. Gehry, one of the world’s leading architects and author, among other important works, of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. The place combines the tradition of wine culture with avant-gardism, luxury and technology. The experience can also be rounded off with the Caudalie wine therapy spa, the exquisite gastronomic offer of the Riojan chef, Francis Paniego, and its convention and visitor centre.