The Grape Harvest Festivals
Celebrating Spain's long history of wine production in a multitude of fiestas.
From the complex Cavas of Catalunya, the crisp white Albarino wines of the Rias Baixas, and the potent orujo of Cantabria, to the light fruity reds of La Rioja, the deep burgundy wines of Ribera del Duero and Rueda of Castile, the dry floral Fino sherries of Jerez, and the unique wines that grow from the black volcanic earth of Lanzarote, the grapes of Spain have unquestionably earned their place on the world stage.
Grapes have been growing on the Iberian Peninsula for millennia but more recently become well known around the world. As a result of their amazing yumminess, Spain is the world’s number one wine grower with 969,000 hectares, followed by France with 797,000 and China with 785,000 hectares.
Wine plays an enormous role in communities all across the country, and continuing a tradition that goes back to the Phoenicians, the grape harvest is enthusiastically celebrated in festivals during the months of September, October and November. Many of these festivals are connected to local traditions and folklore and are an excuse to combine their cultural heritage with the fruit that has played such an important part in their lives and economy.
There are 4300 wineries in Spain whose wine is exported all around the world. Wine lovers can enjoy oenological experiences in a range of establishments from underground caves and cellars to sophisticated historic palaces and restaurants and everything in between.
San Mateo Grape Harvest Festival, Logroño, La Rioja. 20-26th September.
The oldest wineries in Spain are Rioja wines that have earned the title of "Qualified Designation of Origin," (the highest category in Spanish wine regulation) and La Rioja is considered the wine capital of Spain. The capital, Logroño, is the Mecca for wine enthusiasts in search of a good copa de vino and tapas. Their harvest festival is one of the most anticipated in the country and is celebrated in honour of Saint Matthew, patron saint of merchants and businesspeople.
Historically, merchants from all over Spain and beyond came to Logroño to trade and the largest markets would coincide with the grape harvest. Today, the city still attracts people from all over Spain and beyond when they kick off the festivities with the ‘crushing of the grapes’ on the 21st September.
In the Espolon Square, the first grapes of the season are placed into a barrel with great ceremony by locals dressed in traditional clothes. Then two men in black waistcoats and red cummerbunds take off their footwear, roll up their trousers and step into the barrel. With hands on each other’s shoulders, they begin their slow dance in time with the music, stamping, squelching, and mulching the bunches of grapes. Going by the grins on their faces, the experience is either weird or rather pleasurable.
The first grape juice, or must, is offered to the Virgin of Valvanera, Patron Saint of the city and the region of La Rioja.
During the festival, there are parades, processions of giants, big heads and floats decorated in winemaking themes, puppet shows, concerts, firework contests, artisan markets, sporting events, and of course, tastings. The nights are abuzz as people fill the streets of San Augustin, Laurel and San Juan in search of tapas and wine.
Zurracapote is a popular drink made of fruit soaked in red wine with added cinnamon, sugar and lemon. It is usually left to sit for a few days before served chilled. Chamizos are placed around the city where you can try this delicious regional cocktail.
Sherry Harvest, Jerez de la Frontera, Cadiz. 2nd -17th September
Jerez de la Frontera in Cadiz, in the southern region of Andalusia starts its harvest festival on the 8th September, on the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady. As it is with many harvest festivals, the treading of the grapes is an important ceremony and takes place in front of the Cathedral at 8pm.
After the priest has blessed the grapes, the Harvest Queen and her handmaidens, all dressed in beautiful flamenco-style dresses cast their baskets of grapes into the wooden wine press. Then four men in white shorts, white socks, and studded shoes begin their slow stamping to the beat of a Pasodoble. Finally, a veneciador (wine pourer) with his tiny cup on the end of a long stick, pours Fino sherry into tulip shaped glasses for the most distinguished attendees. At 21.00, there is a concert.
Between the 2-17 September, bar routes around the city offer the best sherries and brandy cocktails with tastings and competitions. Thematic visits to the archaeological museum on the 9th and16th September take place at 12.00 where you can learn the history and culture of the wine in Jerez.
There are guided tours in the old town on the 7th and 14th September at 17:00 that focus on the relation between the monumental patrimony of the city and its wines from the Middle Ages to today. You can also visit wineries to learn the production techniques of sherry.
International Sherry Week takes place between 7-13 November in Jerez.
Other wine and harvest festivals of note include:
Grape Harvest Festival, Montilla, Cordoba. First weekend in September.
One of the oldest festivals in Spain, the grape festival of Montilla honours their prestigious Montilla- Moriles Designation of Origin wines. The pressing of the grape takes place at ‘El Gran Capitán’ quarter and it is offered to the Virgen de las Viñas.
Harvest and Wine Festival, Valdepeñas, Ciudad Real. First week of September.
Famous for its rosado (rosé) wines and light berry reds, the harvest festival in Valdepeñas begins with the harvesting of the grape, followed by parades, flower offerings, religious events, wine tastings, dance performances, art exhibitions and awards, sports competitions, concerts, and food stalls.
Harvest Festival, Mollina, Malaga. 2nd weekend of September.
The wines with the Denomination of Origin of Málaga and ‘Sierras de Málaga’ in Mollina are celebrated during the harvest festival which also includes a bicycle ride through the town’s streets. More than 500 people of all ages ride bikes that have been adorned with vines and grapes and a prize is awarded the most original design.
Harvest Festival in Alella, Catalonia. 2nd week of September
Alella near Barcelona have celebrated the DO Alella wines and Cavas for almost half a century. Visitors can participate in the dawn harvest at a local vineyard to learn more about the process of wine cultivation. There are guided winery tours, parades, fireworks, dancing, and plenty of great food available in the street stalls.
Grape Harvest Festival in Toro, Castilla y Leon. Early September.
The grape harvest in Toro has been declared Festival of Touristic Interest where locals get dressed in traditional costume and parade through the streets of Toro with carts decorated with garlands of vines, baskets of grapes, and local produce such as chorizo, jamon, cheese, peppers, bread, and wine which everyone is invited to taste.
Festa des Vermar, Binissalem, Mallorca. 3rd week of September
For two weeks in September, Binissalem is home to the infamous Gran Batalla of Raim, where, in the tradition of the Wine Battle of Haro, locals and tourists get to throw 10,000 kilos of grapes at each other before enjoying the typical dish Fideus de Vermar with their celebrated wines.
Cariñena Harvest Festival, Zaragoza. 24-25 September.
One of the most important festivals in Aragon, the Cariñena Harvest Festival dates back to the 1500s with the custom of presenting wine to the kings of Spain.
Visitors can hop on an old locomotive known as the Wine Train from Zaragoza to the town to sample some of the best wineries of the region and join in the festivities.
La Festa de la Verema, Sitges, Catalunya. 1-2 October
The 'Mostra de Vins' held on the beachfront plaza de la Fregata offers a sample of the best wines from the best wineries of the Penedès wine region of Catalunya. Restaurants prepare menus dedicated to the world famous grape and wine. There is also a grape stomping contest 'Concurs de Trepitjadors de Raïm' on the Plaza del Baluard on Sunday at 12.30pm.
Peñafiel Grape Harvest, Castilla y Leon. Beginning of October.
Locals dress in traditional costume and the streets come alive with processions, music, dancing and activities to celebrate the first must of the season.
The Cavatast, Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, Catalunya. 6-8 October
For three days during the Cavatast festival, restaurants, delicatessens, and patisseries in Sant Sadurní d'Anoia promote their famous sparkling whites in a Cava tasting and gastronomy fair with activities and special pairings.
Harvest Festival, Cangas del Narcea, Asturias. 6-10 October
Grapes are carried in a country cart before the traditional grape stomping, followed by tastings, a market, and plenty of activities for kids and adults.
Rueda Grape Festival, Valladolid. 7-9 October
Declared of Regional Touristic Interest, Rueda celebrates its grape festival with wine tastings, visits to local wineries, gastronomical events and plenty of fun activities for the whole family.
Festival of Orujo, Potes, Cantabria. Mid November
The beautiful small town of Potes in the Picos de Europa mountains of Cantabria celebrates the fiery colourless spirit with 50% alcohol content in the Fiesta del Orujo.
San Andres Festival, Tenerife. Late November.
The San Andres Festival uses the wine harvest to celebrate Saint Andrew in a series of unique rituals. To find out more: Tenerife Information Centre.