Rolling into Rioja: Alma’s Grand Tour of Haro, the Wine Capital
Ah, Haro! The very name rolls off the tongue like a fine Rioja, and let me tell you, it tasted even better.
Our trusty Adria, Alma, transported us effortlessly into the heart of Spain’s most celebrated wine region, specifically to its undisputed capital.
We’d been anticipating this stop for a few days now, the promise of ancient bodegas and world-renowned Tempranillo a potent lure.
Finding our spot was delightfully straightforward, it might not be the most beautiful of motorhome stopover but it has location location, location ! (N 42.5709, W 2.84597)
Haro, clearly accustomed to pilgrims of the grape, offers a few motorhome-friendly aires.
We settled into one that was just a pleasant stroll from the town centre, allowing us to soak in the atmosphere without the stress of navigating Alma’s considerable dimensions through narrow, historic streets.
The air, even in winter, carried a faint, earthy scent of fermenting grapes – a promise of things to come.
Haro itself is a charming town, steeped in winemaking history.
It’s hard to imagine that this vibrant hub was once a simple agricultural village before the epidemic that devastated French vineyards in the 19th century, leading Bordeaux winemakers to discover the riches of Rioja.
Suddenly, Haro became a beacon for quality wine, and the Barrio de la Estación (Station District) emerged as a unique concentration of century-old wineries, many of which still stand today.
Our days in Haro revolved, quite naturally, around wine.
we loved simply wandering through the town, popping into smaller wine bars for a casual tapa and a glass of the local produce.
The rhythm of life in Haro seemed perfectly aligned with the slow, deliberate process of winemaking – unhurried, appreciative, and deeply rooted in tradition.
Alma, patiently parked, became our quiet retreat after days filled with delicious discoveries.
As the sun dipped below the rolling hillsides, painting the vineyards in golden hues, we’d often find ourselves back in Alma, perhaps with a bottle of our newly acquired Rioja, toasting to the magic of this very special place.
Haro truly lived up to its reputation as a wine lover’s paradise, and Alma had delivered us right to its heart.
Paul.