Taking a Gordon’s Wine Bar tshirt to the Rioja wineries
I know it’s odd, but I get more of a buzz from modern architecture than I do from wine… but I do like wine too! (What would REALLY turn me off would be a Prince Charles Lambrusco!!!!)
Strangely, Spain’s Rioja region is a very happy hunting ground for modern architecture. The wineries seem to have found sudden riches, and decided to spend it on new buildings. We visited three, and I took with me my trusty Gordon’s Wine Bar tshirt (CLICK HERE to get yours!).
Marqués de Riscal winery at Elciego
They commissioned Frank Gehry (of Bilbao Guggenheim fame) to design their STUNNING new hotel.
The winery is very old, but has embraced new technology too, and is among the bigger producers.
Ysios winery at Laguardia
A fabulous new building by Santiago Calatrava (who designed most of the buildings for the Greek Olympics) for this small modern winery… which makes delicious wine!
López de Heredia winery in Haro
Famed for its Viña Tondonia wine, this medium sized, traditional winery recently commissioned a visitor centre from wacky architect Zaha Hadid.
Ian Smith
