The village of Briones is located on a hill overlooking
the Ebro River, 35 km northwest of Logroño, between the mountain
ranges of La Demanda and Cantabria. Terraces and vineyards extend around.
The city, built mainly in stone and with a strong medieval character,
has been declared a town of Historic and Artistic interest. The old
Arabic castle, the ancient surrounding walls, the palaces and the magnificent
XVI Century church are the most interesting places in this small town
of around 850 people.
History
Its name comes from the Berones, the Celtic civilization that lived
in these lands before the Romans arrived to Spain. The Arabs, who named
this place "Velez Assikia" (Land of Streams), developed the
cultivation and irrigation techniques of Briones until 923, when La Rioja
was integrated into the Kingdom of Navarra.
At the beginning of the X Century Briones became the border between the
Kingdoms of Castilla and Navarra. In 1256, King Alfonso X granted Briones
with fueros (charters that were given by Spanish monarchs in the middle
Ages and which established their rights and obligations, as well as their
privileges). The Dukes of Osuna kept their jurisdiction over the village
until 1837, when Briones was declared a royal town.
Briones and wine
For hundreds of years, the majority of the best grapes of Briones were
sold to the most prestigious wineries of Haro to make their best Reservas.
The local growers retained a small part of the harvest for their own
use. This explains why until recently Briones was little known. In recent
years some wineries, Bodega Miguel Merino amongst them, have decided
to locate in Briones to take advantage of its excellent conditions for
making wines of the highest quality.
Jornadas Medievales
The whole town goes Medieval in the third weekend of June. Check everything
at www.brionesmedieval.com
Briones
www.brionesmedieval.com /
www.brioneslarioja.com /
www.beronia.org/briones.htm
Wine Museum :
www.dinastiavivanco.com
Bed/Breakfast in Briones
Casa rural "El Mesón": www.brioneslarioja.com/elmeson
Hostal Rural "Los Calaos": www.loscalaosdebriones.com
La Rioja
www.lariojaturismo.com
Destinovino, Salón Internacional de Turismo del Vino
www.destinovino.com
La Vieja Bodega Restaurant
www.viejabodega.com
