We tour La Rioja Alta with the Suzuki S-Cross. A trip to test all its virtues, on and off the road, and also to get to know a land rich in culture, heritage, high-level gastronomy and vineyards.
Perhaps you are thinking of making a getaway in the next few days to disconnect from the routine and, incidentally, get to know some roads with your car. This is our proposal for you to spend a full weekend with friends, family or partner. In our case, we are accompanied by the Suzuki S-Cross, one of the most reliable cars in its segment and that has been renewed by improving design, consumption and safety.
The new S-Cross mounts a direct injection 1.4 Boosterjet turbo engine and comes standard with the 48V mild hybrid system, which helps reduce consumption. In total, it has 129 hp and 230 Nm. The 4×4 drive of the Suzuki S-Cross allows you to move with agility on slightly more adventurous roads.
Our route takes us along the roads of the Riojan Sonsierra and, from one of the most special points in the area, the Castle of San Vicente de Sonsierra, we start. Although all the destinations on our route are accessible by conventional roads, we wanted to put the most adventurous version of S-Cross to the test and we have entered some roads where this Suzuki has stood up with its four-wheel drive system wheels no problem.
Heritage, wine culture and a bit of 4×4 excitement
We suggest three stops for your first day: San Vicente de la Sonsierra, the archaeological site of Santa María de la Piscina and Briones. If you have time, we recommend that you visit a winery, the closest one is Vivanco, to see first-hand everything that surrounds the culture of wine.
In Santa María de la Sonsierra, the castle and the church of Santa María La Mayor, at the top of the town, mark its history and make the town one of the obligatory stops in the area. From here it is easy to recognize the Ebro River, the Sierra de Cantabria, several important wineries and the old bridge, a beautiful medieval construction from the 12th century in masonry and masonry. San Vicente de la Sonsierra may sound familiar to you due to the tradition of the “picaos” of Holy Week.
To test the traction of the Suzuki S-Cross, we went through some roads to reach Santa María de la Piscina. This archaeological complex is made up of the hermitage, a necropolis and the remains of fortifications or watchtowers. Access to this area is one of the most beautiful on the route, especially if you go at sunset.
Finally, before arriving in Briones, a town named Historic and Artistic Site, we visit the Vivanco Winery, a place where we can discover the secrets of the area’s vineyards and, in depth, the culture that encompasses the wine sector.
Medieval villages, a charming neighborhood and a farewell above the clouds
The second day of our route takes us to Sajazarra, a beautiful medieval town. The road to here, through the vineyards at their best, is one of the most colorful in the area. If you have a chance, hop off the Suzuki S-Cross for a walking or cycling tour.
From here, if you put Haro in the navigation of the Suzuki S-Cross as destination, you will see that in a few minutes you can reach one of the most important towns in the region where you can enjoy Riojan cuisine. Its famous Barrio de la Estación is one of the points with the most repercussions for the wine culture of La Rioja. It has a special symbolism and centuries-old wineries in permanent evolution. Its origin dates back to the second half of the 19th century and today it is a place full of history.
And to finish this route, why not give it a different point of view? Seeing La Rioja Alta above the clouds is one of the most recommended experiences if you choose to come here. In our case, we say goodbye to the route with a balloon ride from Cuzcurrita del Río Tirón. A finishing touch for this Suzuki Route with the S-Cross.
