San
Vicente de la Sonsierra.

San Vicente de la Sonsierra rises above the Ebro river on a hill crowned by the ruins of its medieval castle, with La Rioja Alta's vineyards spreading below in every direction. The old quarter keeps a tight, hillside layout of narrow stone streets, and wine cellars built into the hillside beneath the houses still age local reds. From the castle platform, the view takes in the river bend and the vine rows climbing the slopes.

The village is known across Spain for its Holy Week, when hooded penitents walk in procession and perform a traditional act of self-flagellation as a form of penance. Wine remains the working heart of San Vicente: small bodegas produce Rioja from vines that surround the village, and several keep cellar doors open for tasting. The hilltop setting and that working wine culture give San Vicente a grounded character within La Rioja Alta.