Cariñena Grape Harvest Festival (Zaragoza)

Every September, the Campo de Cariñena region (Zaragoza) becomes the epicentre of Aragonese wine-making tradition with this celebration that marks the beginning of the grape harvest.

Since 1960, the Grape Harvest Festival has been paying tribute to the winegrowers and wineries of the municipalities that make up the Cariñena Protected Designation of Origin. The festivities commemorate the ancestral custom of thanking nature for the harvest, also reflecting the progress of its society and the role of wine in this enclave of the province of Zaragoza.It takes place in the main square of Cariñena, around the Fuente de la Mora. The most eagerly awaited moment is the “Exaltación del Vino”, when two locals tread the grapes to produce the first must of the year, which is offered to the patron saint of the town, the Santo Cristo de Santiago. Then, throughout the day, wine will flow from the fountain's spouts instead of water.Another fundamental element of the festival is the Paseo del Vino, the avenue full of stalls where it is possible to taste the best wines from the local wineries. In addition, throughout the weekend, visits to the Wine Museum are free of charge and various entertainment and live music activities are organised.