The Hotel Marqués de Riscal, with its twisted aluminium ribbons shining in purple, gold, and silver, is a Frank Gehry masterpiece in the heart of Rioja wine country. Founded in 1858, this winery bottled the first ever Rioja wines, including the first vintage by the Marquis in 1862. The estate also introduced white wines to the nearby province of Rueda and assisted its elevation to DO status in the 1970s. Marqués de Riscal can furthermore be credited with starting the trend of covering Rioja bottles in golden mesh for authenticity.

As part of the Marriott hotel chain’s Luxury Collection, the Gehry structure opened in 2006, offering 61 rooms, including 10 suites, with tilted walls, zigzagged windows, high ceilings, and a lot of color. The Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant, headed by local superstar chef Francis Paniego, serves a six or nine-course ‘Ideas Land’ menu expertly paired with wines by the sommelier team, with some rare vintages making an appearance too. The hotel also has another restaurant, a wine bar, al fresco grill, and a Caudalie Vinothérapie spa.

The Plaza del Reloj is the heart of this ‘City of Wine,’ where visitors can explore the original bodega and old cellars with bottles dating back to the first vintage. The vineyards can be explored by foot, bike, or horse, with golf and paddle-tennis on offer as well. The surrounding medieval town of Elciego is rich in culture and history. The wines include reds made predominantly from the signature Tempranillo grape, with some Graciano and others going into a summery rosé blend. A sturdier rosé comes from Castilla y León and whites from the family’s Rueda vineyards, using Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc, designed to be original, fresh, and easy to drink.