Sagardoa Route, an immersion in the sparkling and fruity world of Basque cider

More than just a drink, Basque cider is a reflection of a heritage and the legacy of the history of the Basque Country. Throughout the year, Sagardoa Route "Ruta de la sidra del Pais Vasco" (Basque cider route) takes you to discover this emblematic product of the region, between visits, workshops and tastings. Live an unforgettable experience alongside passionate guides who will take you to meet Basque cider producers, farmers who love their profession.

Sagardoa Route, Basque cider between culture and tradition

To cool off, have a drink, have an aperitif or just for fun, Basque cider is the region's essential drink, which can be enjoyed with or without moderation. Consumed for thousands of years (pilgrims already mentioned cider in their writings in the 12th century), it became essential in the 16th century, a time when cider was the fuel for sailors and fishermen. Press farms multiplied, cider flowed freely and the Basque Country built its history, an origin that is the very essence of the reputation of Basque cider. More than 1,000 varieties of apples are used to make this delicious drink with fruity aromas, but only a hundred or so are approved by the "Euskal Sagardoa" appellation. Discover an exciting world with Sagardoa Route in the Basque Country !

Sagardoa Route, the essential visit to cider houses

What a pleasure to meet the Basque cider makers , the regional artisans who passionately create this sparkling drink with fine bubbles and a fruity taste. In town or in the countryside, in season or all year round, each cider maker invites you to discover their world and their way of working, before tasting a glass of cider on the property. Each vintage is unique with an inimitable taste, obtained with artisanal know-how and ancestral methods. Of course, the choice of the variety of apples used is important, as are the stages of production of this famous Basque cider:

• Harvest between mid-September and mid-November
• Crushing sorted and washed apples to obtain fruit pulp which will then be pressed
• The vatting of the precious juice which then ferments to become a tasty Basque cider
• Bottling and tasting, a favorite stage of the day for visitors

Contact Sagardoa Route to organize your cider house visit in the Basque Country, it crosses the entire region between the provinces of Araba, Bizkaia, Gipuzkoa, Iparralde and Nafarroa.

Sagardoa Route, gourmet and cider excursions in the Basque Country

Immerse yourself in the heart of Basque culture and let yourself be charmed by the riches of this region. Gastronomy, meeting, visit, workshop, sharing and conviviality, Sagardoa Route offers you a real immersion, the time of a fabulous excursion . Cider of course is the common point of each escapade, a theme that allows you to organize many activities according to your desires, and your appetite. Indeed, each year, the Txtox season takes place between January and May, the ideal period to discover and taste Basque cider according to traditions. To put it simply, the Txot is the tasting of several vintages of cider served directly from the barrel, accompanied by a 100% Basque menu between prime rib or cod omelette. Do you like the unusual ? Follow Sagardoa Route through unique and shared excursions :

• In Albaola, the shipyard of Basque culture
• At the Basque Whaling Ground
• During a kayak trip
• At the Salt Valley of Anana, the oldest saltworks in the world
• In a typical regional cheese shop
• On a Basque pelota field…

Cider candy workshop, visit to a Basque farm or lunch in a cider house, you will love discovering the work of the apple and its varied tastes.

Sagardoa Route, professional events organized around cider

Seminar, team-building, company day or business meeting, combine work and gourmet food with Sagardoa Route in the Basque Country. Among the partner cider houses, some have the necessary facilities to accommodate groups. Parking, terrace, dining rooms, meeting rooms, bodegas for coffee breaks (or cider breaks) and outdoor space to stretch your legs, you will love working surrounded by orchards. The advantage is that you can combine work and activities by organizing:

• Visits to cider houses,
• Cider and local product tasting workshops,
• Demonstration of sport, dance or traditional music
• Sporting moments between paintball, kayaking or rowing
• Culinary workshops to cook Basque recipes

Ask around, some establishments also cater, giving you the opportunity to enjoy a 100% Basque menu washed down with cider of course!

Sagardoa Route, an online store for quality ciders

Didn't have time to do your shopping after your visit or during your excursion? Don't worry, Sagardoa Route brings together all your favorite products in an online store. Acidic, sweet, bitter... there is something for every palate between AOP ciders, natural ciders, organic ciders, sparkling ciders, ice ciders, ciders with hops or single-variety ciders. Each one more delicious than the last, they will be perfect served in cider glasses or coupe ciders, also sold in the online store. Do you love the taste of apple? Order apple juice, apple vinegar or sagardoz, fruity pleasures that are unanimously popular.

Sagardoa Route, a dive into the heart of cider that gets you hooked in the Basque Country!

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