In La Rioja the high season does not end with the end of the summer, but continues throughout the year. autumn months, This is the favourite season for many people to visit this region.
Don't believe it? Here are 8 reasons that will convince you.
1. The landscape of the Rioja vineyards reaches its maximum splendour in autumn
La Rioja is a land with the name of wine, not in vain its fields are full of vineyards in the Ebro valley area.
The picture is curious to say the least at any time of the year with vineyards of infinite renques and bare in winter, green in spring, full of grapes in summer and a whole explosion of colours in autumn.
During the months of september and october the vine gradually loses its brightness once the fruit has been harvested. This means that the bright green that starts in spring and continues throughout the summer turns yellow in the case of white grape vines and reddish tones in the case of black grape vines. In addition, the different grape varieties take on different nuances that together create a picture worthy of photography.
This is one of the reasons why many people decide to visit La Rioja during the autumn months, but we give you 7 more reasons.
2. Autumn : Harvest time and winery visits
Work in the vineyard and in the winery varies seasonally in a cyclical manner.
In autumn it's time for HARVESTING TIME which causes a revolution in both places: the countryside and the winery.
For one month you can see how the grapes are harvested both mechanically and manually in the vineyards of La Rioja.
You can also see how work is done in the winery during these days: arrival of the grapes, selection, filling of tanks...
A show you can only enjoy during a few weeks a year.
Are you up for it?
3. Good weather for enjoying La Rioja outdoors in autumn
During September and October it is usual that the good weather still lasts in La Rioja before the dreaded time change on the last weekend of October, when the evenings become shorter and winter seems to have arrived in the region.
These pre-winter months, when the evenings are still long, are the ideal time for enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities: quad, kayak, ebike rides, balloon flights, winery and vineyard visitsand enjoy the best outdoor pinchos areas.
4. Visiting La Rioja in autumn, an uncrowded destination
In general, La Rioja is not an overcrowded destination. It can be enjoyed all year round, however, during the summer months it is possible that certain areas or places may be full, or difficult to visit without prior reservation.
This is not a problem when you visit La Rioja in autumn, especially during the week. Nor is it necessary to book so far in advance. However, if you it is advisable to book especially for those plans that you want to carry out during the weekends, As we have already mentioned, more and more people are realising that visiting La Rioja in autumn is an excellent option.
If you have the luxury of being able to choose when to go on holiday, don't rule out visiting La Rioja in autumn.
5. Enjoy cultural tourism in La Rioja in autumn
La Rioja has a important cultural heritage: monasteries, wineries, charming villages, mountain villages, museums, Camino de Santiago, Logroño...
A whole cultural catalogue to discover that the mild autumn temperatures make especially enjoyable.
Where do you want to start discover the richness of La Rioja's heritage?
6. Hiking, nature and scenery in La Rioja
By now, we all know that autumn is one of the best times to delight in nature. Mountains and forests are found in a moment of great beauty with colourful leaves that refuse to fall, while others create spectacular crunchy carpets.
If we add to this the fact that the temperature goes with it for strolling at any time of the day without suffering the high summer temperatures, the combination is perfect.
The Sierra Riojana is full of routes to enjoy nature.
7. The rutting of the deer in autumn in La Rioja
The bellowing of the iberian deer occurs during the rutting period which lasts from mid-September to about mid-October.
During these weeks in the riojan mountains you can hear this unique roar of the male deer in search of mating.
The times of the day when this phenomenon is most likely to be witnessed are at dawn and dusk. It is not necessary to get too close to the animals as they are very elusive. The best strategy is to climb to a high place and have a good pair of binoculars at hand.
If you're lucky you might even be able to see a live one fight between two malesThis is not usual, however, as the purpose of the bellowing is to avoid confrontation.
8. Autumn festivals and traditions in La Rioja
During the summer, most of the villages in La Rioja enjoy their patronal feasts taking advantage of the greater influx of visitors, especially those where depopulation has taken its toll.
However, during the months of September and October there are still many patron saint festivals and traditions where you can take advantage of the opportunity to get to know our most deeply-rooted customs.
- Festivities of San Mateo in Logroño: San Mateo is celebrated on 21 September and throughout the week Logroño dresses up to honour its patron saint with a variety of traditional and fun activities for all ages.
- Festivities in honour of the Virgen de La Vega in Haro: On 8 September, the day of the Virgin is celebrated and Haro dresses up for the festivities with emotional events such as the rosary of lanterns or the day of the tour to El Moro fountain.
- Other villages such as Cuzcurrita de Río Tirón, Castañares de Rioja, Ezcaray, Fuenmayor, Santo Domingo de la Calzada and many others celebrate their patron saint festivals during the month of September.
- El Pilar long weekend (12 October), Spanish National Day, is a public holiday throughout Spain and is also celebrated in many villages in La Rioja.
It is also common in some villages to celebrate the grape harvest festival after its completion.
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