When & Where: In September. Location varies yearly, but always in Rioja Alavesa, the southern region of Araba province.
The Fiesta de la Vendimia de Rioja Alavesa is an annual celebration that honours the wine harvest in the Rioja Alavesa region. Since its inception in 1994 in Laguardia, the event has travelled each year to a different municipality within the comarca, showcasing the diversity of its wine‑growing villages, traditions and landscapes.
At the heart of the celebration is the symbolic moment of the grape‑treading (pisado de la uva) by pairs of children representing each town, followed by the tasting of the first must, which officially marks the start of the new vintage. These rituals are accompanied by the opening proclamation (pregon), traditional Basque dances, music, and food and artisan markets, creating an atmosphere of festivity rooted in rural‑viticultural identity.
Visitors can enjoy numerous stands operated by local wineries offering tastings of young wines from the Rioja Alavesa Denomination of Origin. Additional activities include children’s games, sports exhibitions (such as traditional Basque rural sports), parades and food stalls featuring local produce like txoripanes and Talos (corn‑flatbreads).
By combining heritage, gastronomy and community participation, the Fiesta de la Vendimia de Rioja Alavesa offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the rich wine culture of one of Basque Country’s foremost winemaking regions.
More info: https://fiestadelavendimiariojaalavesa.com/
Posted on November 5, 2025
