The Navarra DO Wine Tour at Bodegas Ochoa takes visitors to the historic town of Olite, approximately 40 kilometres south of Pamplona in the heart of the Navarra Denominación de Origen wine zone. Bodegas Ochoa has been producing wine in Olite since 1845, making it one of the oldest and most respected family wineries in the region. The bodega sits on the outskirts of town along the Zaragoza road, within walking distance of the medieval royal palace that defines Olite's skyline. The 1.5-hour guided cellar tour begins in the production facility, where visitors follow the winemaking process from grape reception through fermentation vats and into the barrel-ageing caves. The guide explains the Navarra DO appellation regulations, the region's diverse soil types from the Pyrenean foothills to the Ribera zone, and the grape varieties grown on the Ochoa estate vineyards — tempranillo, grenache, merlot, chardonnay, and viura among them. The tour proceeds through the barrel room and bottle library before arriving at the tasting salon. The tasting includes five wines representing the breadth of the Ochoa portfolio: typically a young white, a rosé, and three reds at varying stages of maturation. Each wine is accompanied by educational notes on vintage conditions, winemaking decisions, and food pairing suggestions from the guide. The tasting is paired with a plate of local cheese and piquillo peppers from Lodosa, the canonical Navarrese accompaniment to red wine. Participants who wish to purchase bottles receive a discount in the bodega's retail shop. Tours are available year-round in Spanish and English; English-language sessions generally require advance booking to coordinate guide availability. The September and October harvest period draws particular interest, when visitors may observe active grape reception and fermentation alongside the cellar tour. Group sizes are typically small, and the pace is educational rather than hurried, suitable for both beginners and experienced wine enthusiasts.
What is included
- Cellar tour
- 5 wine tastings
- Cheese and piquillo pepper pairing
- Wine purchase discount
Good to know
- Operator
- Bodegas Ochoa (bodegasochoa.com; info@bodegasochoa.com; +34 948 740 006)
Location
Bodegas Ochoa, Carretera Zaragoza Km 1, 31390 Olite
42.4769, -1.6542 View on map
Highlights
- Tour the historic cellars of Bodegas Ochoa, a family winery established in Olite in 1845
- Taste five Navarra DO wines spanning white, rosé, and aged reds from the Ochoa portfolio
- Cheese and Lodosa piquillo pepper pairing included alongside the wine tasting
- Learn about the Navarra DO appellation, soil diversity, and Ochoa estate grape varieties
- Purchase bottles from the bodega retail shop at a tour-participant discount
Tips for visiting
- Combine the wine tour with a visit to the Castillo de Olite, the medieval royal palace a 15-minute walk from the bodega
- English-language tours require advance booking; Spanish-language tours are more frequently available as drop-in visits
- September and October are harvest season — tours during this period may include views of active grape pressing
- Designate a driver within the group; the five-wine tasting is generous in both volume and alcohol
- The €20 entry price covers all five tastings and the cheese plate — no hidden extras beyond optional wine purchases
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book in advance?
Advance booking is recommended, especially for English-language tours and during the September to October harvest period when demand peaks. Spanish-language tours are more likely to accept walk-in visitors.
How do I get to Olite from Pamplona?
Olite is about 40 km south of Pamplona, reachable by regional train (approximately 40 minutes) or by car. The bodega is on the edge of town along the Zaragoza road and is walkable from Olite station.
Is the tour accessible to visitors with limited mobility?
The cellar tour includes some uneven surfaces in the barrel cave area. Visitors with significant mobility requirements should contact Bodegas Ochoa in advance to discuss options.
Can non-drinkers participate?
Non-drinkers and those who prefer not to consume alcohol can join the cellar tour; the bodega staff will provide grape juice or water during the tasting portion on request.
What grape varieties does Bodegas Ochoa grow?
The estate grows tempranillo, grenache, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, and viura, among others, reflecting the Navarra region's diverse viticultural traditions across its northern and southern zones.