Grave Harvest Festival

September

Each year around 450 million kilograms of Rioja grapes are harvested to make just under two million litres of wine. Which seems just cause for celebration to us.

And so it is that the otherwise quite sleepy and restrained town of Logrono goes a little bit bonkers during the third week of September to celebrate and give due thanks for the annual harvest.

The San Mateo festivities tread a varied and colourful path between foot-crushing ceremonies, mass food fights, festive bands, raging bulls, roaming ‘big heads’, spiralling fireworks and, naturally, copious amounts of wine.

After which you’ll probably need a bit of peace and quiet, so might we suggest we pad the celebrations with plenty of chances to get out walking in the countryside and enjoying the slower pace of life normally associated with this little pocket of Spain. September can be a lovely time to walk, but do bring your sun hat and plenty of factor 50.

Trip idea: Basque Rioja Inn to Inn Walking Vacation
Trip idea: Basque Cultures & Cuisines: A Private Guided Journey

Fall trails

September to early November

As summer becomes fall, we have the green light to get out in our boots to tread our way past the vineyards, through the valleys, below the mountains and between the hilltop villages once again. Early September brings sunshine at more pleasant temperatures; late October offers a palette of red, yellow and ochre vines and forests; in the middle is the grape harvest. November catches the best of the fall colours, but do bring something waterproof.

Trip idea: Basque Rioja Inn to Inn Walking Vacation