Bodegas Gómez Cruzado — Attraction in Haro

We had a flight tasting which we booked some months earlier, after reading all the positive reviews. To much of our disappointment, the experience was sub-par at best, and found it to be not a great value for our money (at least for the tasting, tour could be a different story) compared to other vineyards we visited around the Rioja region.

We arrived at our designated time slot and were seated promptly and given some bread with their own olive oil, which was a great start. Little did we know what would ensue thereafter.

While the cellar door staff was very knowledgeable about the wine they were pouring, it felt very rushed, and we were given no time to ask any questions / interact at all in general.

What made the experience even sourer was the fact that while it was supposed to be a flight of 5 glasses of wine per person for 18€, we were in fact only given 4 glasses per person, and had to share 2 of the reds between the two of us to make it "5 wines per person". And these were quite small pours (

We took 6 tastings when we visited La Rioja, choosing a variety of very small and larger producers to get a better understanding of Rioja wines. Our selection was - in order of our visits: Bodegas Carlos San Pedro Pérez de Viñaspre, Mayor de Migueloa (both in LaGuardia), CVNE, Gomez Cruzado, La Rioja Alta (all in Haro), and Artuke (in Baños de Ebro). Obviously, each of them has a very different approach to wine, and wine is something very personal. For us, Gomez Cruzado positively stood out with an exceptionally good wine tour and delicious, easy to drink wines. Unlike guides at other big names, our guide Mikel was incredibly knowledgeable and really passionate about his work. Being born in LaGuardia, he lived and breathed wine. He offered a refreshingly down to earth perspective on the business overall and the wine industry. The two hour tour was not only super insightful but also very entertaining. Gomez Cruzado focus on taste and nothing but taste - and it’s not surprising that all of the five wines we tasted were spot on. A huge thanks to Mikel for the fantastic tour without the usual frills and historical embellishment, keep up...

This was the last stop on that winery-hopping day. Close to our appartement in Haro it was conveniently located.

We travelled with our Bulldog and were happy that she was welcome to sit with us outside at the table. The setting - inside and out - is smaller, but very charming. Staff here was very friendly, helpful and explained the wines with much knowledge. There are a good handful of wineries around this area here ... the old railway station. And this winery here was a very good one. The wines - most of the are on the very affordable side - are easy to drink. Except the older Reservas maybe a bit on the light side. But good value and with the typical smooth, wooden-caramel tasting Rioja flavour on your palate.

It was a joy, sitting outside at the table, the sun going down slowly, enjoying a couple of glasses. Not the very best wine around. But good value and...