Samaniego: Discover Wine, History and Nature

In Samaniego, the traditional wineries form the Matarredo quarter. The introduction of winegrowing in Samaniego is traced back to Roman times.

Wine and Cuisine

Bodegas J.F. Iradier combines underground cellars and tunnels created by the family with modern winery facilities. Bodegas Amaren offers various experiences centred around the vineyards of Samaniego and their wines. The wines of Bodegas Amaren are stored in an underground cellar carved out by hand in the 16th century.

Bodegas Pascual Larrieta offers winery tours and wine tastings by prior reservation. The winery is regularly open on Saturdays from 11:00 to 14:00; other days and times can be arranged for groups. In a tasting room at Bodegas Pascual Larrieta, visitors can sample various wines and products from the region. Bodega Remírez de Ganuza offers guided tours daily except public holidays at 10:30 and 12:30, by prior reservation.

Ostatu offers winery tours by prior appointment during office hours, Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 13:30 and from 15:30 to 18:30; groups may comprise no more than approximately 30 people. Ostatu's former winery dates from the 17th century and was replaced in 1988 by an 18th-century manor house with newly built production halls.

Samaniego's local cuisine includes potatoes with chorizo, lamb chops grilled over vine wood, broad beans and snails. Culinary traditions include rosquillas at Easter, tortilla de chorizo on Santa Águeda, snails on San Prudencio and hojaldres on San Blas.

Culture and History

The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción dates from the second half of the 16th century. La cruz de la guerra de la independencia commemorates the murder of six residents of Samaniego by French troops in 1810.

Nature

The Balcón de la Rioja belongs to the municipality of Samaniego and is located on the Alto de Herrera at an elevation of 1,000 metres. Samaniego is part of the network of nature parks in Álava; the local parks offer facilities such as tables, barbecue areas, children's playgrounds and fountains.

As a viewpoint, the Balcón de la Rioja is located in the immediate vicinity of Samaniego. Larrasa is a mountain in the surroundings of Samaniego, while Pico de Toloño is a peak in the vicinity of the town.

Surroundings

Castillo de Davalillo is a castle in the surroundings of Samaniego. Battle of Monte Laturce is a historical site in the immediate vicinity. The Museo Vivanco de la Cultura del Vino is a museum in the surroundings of Samaniego, and Poblado de la Hoya is a historical site in the surroundings of Samaniego.

Mirador Cuatro Caños is a viewpoint in the wider regional area surrounding Samaniego.

Local Network

Other places in the local network: Barrón, Sobrón, Lasarte, Páganos, Bujanda, Guinea, Lezama, Caicedo-Sopeña

To the higher-level travel overview: Alava.