This is the Basque Cider Txotx Season: how to book at a cider house

I discovered the basque cider It's been many years now, and since then a bottle has been a regular presence on my table, that is, simultaneously with the Asturian natural cider.

And although I am also a regular customer of the Basque cider houses in Madrid, the truth is that until recently I had not had the opportunity to visit in Euskadi a typical basque cider house and enjoy the cider house menu.

What better time to do it than during what is known as season of txotx, Basque cider season which is celebrated in Euskadi every year.

During my visit for this reason to the so-called Cider Territory (Sagardoaren Lurraldea), I was also able to know the long Basque cider tradition, its origins and its current rise, in the Astigarraga Basque Cider Museum.

And I was also able to discover that around this boom you now have the possibility of carrying out Basque cider wine tourism, With the visit of cider cellars, tastings and tastings.

Where is and what is the Territory of Basque Cider?

the so-called Basque Cider Territory you find it in astigarraga, one of the towns that are located around the city of San Sebastián.

Most of the 54 Basque cider houses that there are in Guipúzcoa, compared to 10 in Vizcaya and 2 in Álava.

Keep in mind that when I talk about basque cider houseI mean a hamlet which is dedicated to the production of this traditional drink.

What is Txotx and when is it celebrated, Season of the Cider Houses?

And do you know what the txotx and Cider Season?

El txotx This is what the period is called during which in the cider houses the new cider is tested, which begins every year on the Wednesday before the week of the festival of the Tamborrada of San Sebastian, after the Christmas holidays, and continues until April.

Specifically, this year the Txotx 2026 opening It was held on January 15th in the Alorrenea Cider House of Astigarraga.

In the cider houses that participate in this gastronomic season, a space is set up, mostly with high tables, so that without sitting down, you can try the aforementioned new cider of the season.

It is traditional in the Basque Country accompany the cider with the typical cider house menu, which you can enjoy throughout the year.

This menu consists of cod omelette, fried cod with green peppers, beef steak, and for dessert, local cheese with quince and walnuts, all to share.

El cider house menu It is offered for a fixed price of about 40 euros, of course, with free consumption of cider.

Much of the Basque cider houses They close in April, once the season ends Basque Cider Season, although there are more and more cider houses which remain open throughout the year offering the aforementioned menu.

There are also quite a few cider houses that have set up large spaces with long tables and benches where you can sit and taste the menu, almost as if it were a restaurant.

How to book cider houses in the Basque Country

To enjoy the cider house menu in this area of the Basque Country, in this link you can choose between The most outstanding cider houses in the Basque Country, many of them located in the Astigarraga area.

And if you don't want to complicate things when it comes to reserve in a cider house having to call several of them, on this other website they offer you the free cider house reservation service, which can be a good help for your visit.

What is the official opening of the Txotx in Astigarraga like?

To inaugurate the season of txotx en astigarraga, a official opening ceremony with the attendance of relevant guests, and with various events and celebrations in cider houses and bars in the area.

Thus, in said opening ceremony the dantzaris, txalaparta and bertzolaris confer the necessary ritual to this moment of the opening of the first kupela (Cuba) where the first cider of each season is tasted.

Every year the honor of the first tasting goes to some celebrity from the the Basque Country (this year, the members of Euskal Pilota Selekzioa), who also carry out the now traditional act of planting an apple tree.

What a day of Txotx is like in a Basque cider house

From then on the cider houses enter the season of txotx, the best opportunity to make a getaway to Astigarraga, and in addition to enjoying a visit to San Sebastian, take advantage to discover this tradition.

Here you have the best tips for going to a cider house and making a day of Txotx.

Visiting hours of the Basque Cider Museum in Astigarraga

Among the various activities you can do, one is to visit the aforementioned Astigarraga Basque Cider Museum, where you can delve deeper into its tradition.

Los Visiting schedule They are, from Tuesday to Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 13,30:16 p.m. and from 19,30 to 11:13,30 p.m., and Sundays and holidays, from XNUMX a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m., remaining closed on Mondays.

Los ticket prices They are 5 euros for adults, 3 euros for children from 11 to 17 years old, and free for children 11 years old.

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