GOLF

Rioja is not Scotland, Florida, or even the Algarve, but while it is not a golf destination per se, that doesn’t mean there aren’t valid options to add club & ball to a barrel & bottle tour. The region has three courses and all three welcome visitors. We visited the very friendly Rioja Alta club which is a reasonable €45 to play during the week and €70 on the weekend. The course is in excellent condition and being hilly provides great views of the surrounding countryside as well as a test of golf. The clubhouse is modern and stylish and—as you would expect in Rioja—has excellent food and wine options if you want to linger post round.