🍇 Introduction
Every autumn, as September’s golden light settles over La Rioja’s vineyards, the region comes alive. Music, laughter, and the scent of ripe grapes fill the air. The Fiesta de la Vendimia, also known as the San Mateo Wine Harvest Festival, is not only one of Spain’s most vibrant celebrations. It is also the heartbeat of Rioja’s identity.
Here, wine is more than a drink. It symbolizes life, community, and craftsmanship. Locals honor centuries of tradition through parades, dances, and the age-old ritual of grape stomping. Visitors from around the world are invited to share in the joy. The streets of Logroño, the capital of La Rioja, turn into a living canvas. Color, culture, and the spirit of Spanish hospitality come alive
🗓️ Official Program & Highlights
The Fiesta de la Vendimia is held annually in Logroño during the week of September 21, coinciding with the Feast of San Mateo. The program blends religious devotion, folk traditions, and modern festivities beautifully.
🍇 Grape Offering Ceremony
The celebration begins with locals offering the first grapes of the season to the Virgin of Valvanera, La Rioja’s patron saint. This ritual shows gratitude for the harvest and seeks blessings for the year ahead.
👣 Traditional Grape Stomping (Pisado de la Uva)
A festival highlight is the grape-stomping ceremony. Participants dressed in traditional costumes step barefoot into wooden vats. They extract the first must—the symbolic “first wine” of the season. The juice is then offered to the Virgin, representing abundance and unity.
🎭 Parades, Folklore & Music
Colorful parades fill the streets with traditional dances and regional costumes. Visitors see the beloved Gigantes y Cabezudos—giant paper-mâché figures representing local legends. Bands, choirs, and street performers turn every corner into a celebration.
🍷 Wine Tastings & Tapas Routes
Food lovers delight in the festival. Along Calle Laurel, visitors savor Rioja’s finest wines with local tapas, from grilled mushrooms to jamón ibérico. Many bodegas (wineries) open for guided tastings and vineyard tours. Guests enjoy an immersive experience of Rioja’s winemaking heritage.
🎆 Fireworks & Night Festivities
Evenings are marked by breathtaking fireworks over the Ebro River. Locals gather for outdoor concerts, dancing, and laughter that lasts until dawn. Tradition and celebration blend, capturing Spain at its most joyful.
📅 Travel Tip: Check Logroño’s official tourism website for updated schedules. Each year features new artistic performances and cultural exhibitions
🧭 Visitor Tips
🕐 Best Time to Visit: Arrive a few days before September 21 to catch opening parades and ceremonies.
👗 What to Wear: Dress casually and comfortably. Expect grape juice splashes! Many wear red scarves, the festival’s traditional accessory.
🏨 Where to Stay: Hotels and rural inns fill fast. Book in Logroño or nearby Haro at least a month in advance.
🍾 What to Try: Visit wineries in Briones, Laguardia, and San Asensio to taste Rioja’s legendary reds.
🚆 Getting There: Logroño is accessible by train or bus from Madrid, Bilbao, and Zaragoza. Driving? Follow the scenic Rioja Wine Route for a picturesque experience.
🍷 Cultural Background
The Fiesta de la Vendimia officially began in the 1950s, but its roots run much deeper. La Rioja’s centuries-old wine traditions shape its culture and economy. Here, winemaking is a way of life, passed down through generations.
The festival combines religious devotion, agricultural pride, and community art. It embodies Spain’s rural soul. Every grape tells a story of the land, the weather, and the hands that nurtured it.
Over decades, the celebration grew from a local harvest event into an internationally recognized cultural festival. Visitors come not only for the wine but also to connect with Spanish heritage. The festival symbolizes La Rioja’s motto: “El vino nos une” — “Wine unites us.”
🗺️ Festival Map
Key locations for visitors:
Parque del Espolón: Main parades and official opening ceremony.
Plaza del Mercado: Home of the grape-stomping event and main concerts.
Calle Laurel: Tapas and wine route — the social heart of Logroño.
Ebro Riverfront: Fireworks and evening celebrations.
Bodegas in Haro & Briones: Recommended for vineyard visits.
❓ FAQ
Q1: When is the Fiesta de la Vendimia held?
A1: It takes place each year during the week of September 21, coinciding with San Mateo Day.
Q2: Do I need tickets for events?
A2: Most outdoor events are free, but winery tours and tastings may require reservations.
Q3: Is it family-friendly?
A3: Absolutely. Children enjoy parades, street performers, and the family-oriented atmosphere.
Q4: What wines are best to try?
A4: Don’t miss Rioja Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva—each reflects a different stage of oak aging and depth of flavor.
Q5: How long should I stay?
A5: A 3- to 4-day stay allows enough time to enjoy the festivities and explore the wine country at a relaxed pace.
🧳 Conclusion
The Fiesta de la Vendimia in La Rioja is more than a festival—it’s a love letter to Spanish heritage. Harvest joy becomes a celebration of life itself. From folk songs echoing through Logroño’s plazas to sparkling wine in a glass, every moment tells a story of tradition, unity, and passion.
For travelers, the festival offers more than entertainment. It reveals how deeply wine, art, and faith intertwine in Spain’s cultural soul. Whether dancing, tasting, or soaking in La Rioja’s energy, visitors leave with hearts as full as the vineyards themselves
