Join WineOnline.ie this October in Dublin to celebrate Rioja wine at the largest consumer event of its kind in over two years.

The Rioja Wine Festival by WineOnline.ie is the ultimate wine experience for Rioja wine lovers and will take place at The Davenport Hotel, Dublin on Saturday 21st October 2023. The event will be run over two sessions to ensure ticket holders can learn about and enjoy tasting as many wines as possible comfortably; sessions will run from 1pm – 4pm and 5.30pm – 8.30 pm.

This year consumers will be able to taste over 150 wines, almost double the number on show last year. They will come from Rioja’s top estates as well as some interesting wines from other regions in a new twist this year. The Discovery Zone is new for 2023 and it will feature over 40 different wines from regions across Spain, in order that consumers can learn as much about other regional varieties at the festival, as well as Rioja. Regions that will feature include Rias Biaxas, Rueda, Ribero del Duero and Penedés. Consumers will be able to taste Albarino, Verdejo, some great sparkling Cavas and reds from places like Ribera del Duero and Utiel Requena. That is before they are faced with over 100 wines from Rioja!

Each attendee will be given a complimentary tote bag with tasting booklet and tasting glass (to keep!) upon entry and will enjoy cheese and charcuterie boards across the session from the executive chef at The Davenport Hotel. If this doesn’t seal the deal, then perhaps the chance of attending a wine masterclass with either a wine journalist or winemaker to learn all about what makes Rioja so special will? Masterclasses will be presented by both John Wilson, Irish Times Wine Columnist, and Fergal Tynan, Master of Wine and Winemaker in more than 4 separate countries. Each will present a 45 minute Masterclass during both the afternoon and evening sessions.

Join Irish Times wine columnist John Wilson, who will take guests on a virtual journey through his storytelling about Rioja stopping off to taste six different wines along the way. Expect tales of how the new classification of Vinedos Singulares came about whilst John also divulges his top picks and his favourite Rioja wines. (Sign up to one of two sessions – 1.30pm afternoon session, or 6pm evening session). Fergal Tynan will discuss Rioja Terroir, styles and comparisons, focusing on the Grenache grape. He is a grenache fanatic, believing the future of great wines in Rioja will come from this great variety. He will present six wines, all of which he has played a part in making, to illustrate how wonderful this variety is.

Will Mullin, Director at WineOnline.ie said “After a sold out event in 2022 we are delighted to announce the Festival’s return in Dublin this month . Being the sixth largest market globally for Rioja, it is clear that Ireland loves Rioja – Spain’s finest, leading wine region. We can’t wait to showcase the diversity of what Rioja has to offer, there really is a Rioja to suit all palates, from fresh, fruity white, rosado and sparkling wines right the way through to rich, robust reds.“

Continuing on Will said, “we’re excited to showcase some really interesting wineries and share stories from how they toil the soil and make some of the finest wines in the world. We believe the addition of the Discovery Zone at this year’s festival will add an even bigger variety of wines for people to enjoy and explore”.

Buy your tickets here