La Baralla del Vino | Rioja Spain
The roots of the Batalla del Vino stretch back to 1237 when a judge appointed by King Fernainand III of Castile ordered Haro’s officials to mark their town boundaries every Saint Peter’s Day or risk losing the land to the neighbouring community of Miranda de Ebro. It wasn’t until 1710 that the solemn boundary-marking procession gave way to the spontaneous celebration known as “War of the Wine” before being officially renamed the Bartalla del Vino in 1965. Current festivities begin with a horseback procession following the Mayor to the Cliffs of Bilibio where a short mass is held before the wine-soaked mayhem begins. Around 70,000 litres of wine is joyfully splashed from buckets, jugs, bottles, boots, and water pistols. In 2011 the event was officially recognised as a Festival of National Tourist Interest.
Reservations requested: 207-593-9110
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