Elciego, Alava’s Rioja region

If you are looking for a wine paradise, Elciego is where you have to go and here we tell you why.

History: In 1164 Sancho VI the Wise (King of the Kingdom of Navarre) granted the Fuero of Laguardia and one of the beneficiary villages was Elciego. The Fuero gave aid to the people who inhabited the town since it was a border area between the Kingdom of Navarre and the Kingdom of Castile and in this way attracted more people and consequently, helped the defense in the bordering areas. Another date of interest was November 12, 1853 when Philip II granted the charter of privilege to Elciego and thus achieved the separation of the town of Laguardia and became an independent town. Today Elciego is known for the world of wine and for the numerous wineries that are located around it. For more information, please visit the Elciego website.

Elciego

Bodega Marques del Riscal: The best known winery was created in 1858, in 1862 began with the bottling process and soon came the first awards. In 1980 it promoted the Rueda appellation of origin but the biggest step was taken in 2000 when they made a great strategic plan. One of the projects within this plan was called “The City of Wine” and consisted of creating a new complex where there is a winery from 1858, another winery (San Vicente) with advanced technology, a new wine cellar, a laboratory and a building designed by Frank O. Gehry where it is composed of Hotel Marqués de Riscal, the Spa Vinotherapie Caudalie, Luxury Collection Hotel and two restaurants of the chef Francis Paniego. The architecture of the complex amazes the visitor with its facades full of curves, colors and reflections. Undoubtedly, it is the jewel of Elciego. For more information, please visit the Marqués del Riscal website.

Marqués del Riscal

More Wineries: Do not forget that in the surroundings of the village you can visit many more wineries of rioja alavesa. You can visit wineries of all kinds and for all tastes and here we mention some of the wineries that you can visit:

1. Aladro Winery
2. Diez Caballero Winery
3. Bodegas Luberri – Monje Amestoy
4. Murua Winery
5. Bodegas Pago de Larrea
6. Valdelana Winery
7. Viña Salceda Winery
8. Wineries Viñadores Artesanos

San Andres Church: It draws attention to where the building is located, since being the main building of the town it is located to the east of the town next to the river. Its large size is visible from the square of D. Francisco Manuel Navarrete Ladrón de Guevara from the sixteenth century, where the construction was made with ashlar stone (carved stone).

St. Andrew’s Church

Hermitage of the Virgen de la Plaza: It is said that the current name of the village derives from “Venta del Ciego” (although more hypotheses are known) and the inhabitants used to live where the hermitage is now located. This 18th century building is located in front of the town hall and is popular among the locals, as on September 8 they organize the patron saint festivities in her honor.

Virgen de la Plaza Chapel

Here is a video about Elciego:

Location:

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