Over 600 diverse wineries span the three sub-zones of the La Rioja Wine Region. The La Rioja Wine Region goes beyond the autonomous community of La Rioja. The three sub-climates of the La Rioja Wine Region are Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Oriental (formerly Rioja Baja). The sub-zones are found throughout three different regions in Spain.

► Rioja Alavesa is located in the southern area of the Basque Country

► The Rioja Alta sub-climate is found completely in the La Rioja region

► Rioja Oriental (formerly Rioja Baja) is the easternmost sub-climate of the La Rioja wine region and is considered to be part of the La Rioja region and the Navarre region.

This is a great La Rioja Wine Region map that visually explains the three sub-zones of the wine region.

In this guide, I mention small villages in the La Rioja region found across all three sub-climates in addition to the La Rioja autonomous community. The most convenient way to see all that the La Rioja wine region offers is to rent a car and road trip through this incredible area of Spain.