- La Rioja produces some of Spain’s finest wines
- Take a Break on your Camino and Visit some Superb Wineries
- Autumn is the time to catch a Wine Festival
As you wind your way through this fairytale landscape, you encounter vineyards on quiet, country roads. Stop off en route to visit a local winery, take a tour, and participate in a wine tasting session.
If you really love wine, why not take a break in Logroño and become an expert in all things Riojan, visiting superb wineries, museums, and enjoying a superb lunchtime culinary stop.
Logroño Wine Harvest Festival (AKA San Mateo Festival): 20 to 26 September 2025
The capital of the Spanish region of La Rioja is a fine place to start the Camino Frances. A compact, attractive city with much medieval architecture and famous streets for Rioja wine and tapas bars, Logroño is home to a popular Wine Harvest Festival during the third week of September.
During the third week of September, the Festival is a mix between a medieval Thanksgiving and a celebration of the Riojan wine harvest. It has its origins in the 12th century when the town had an annual fair which became one of Spain’s most important trading venues. These fairs grew in importance, and the festive fun developed. Thus, the wine, fruit of the earth, enters Logroño in remembrance of its history as a medieval village.
On their Thanksgiving Day in September, the Rioja people give thanks for the harvested crop, coinciding with San Mateo Day (a tax collector and patron of merchants). Today, this is La Rioja’s most important festival. The fruits of the harvest and the first must are presented to the Virgin of Valvanera, asking the Virgin for the resulting wine to become an excellent vintage.
If you are a fan of La Rioja wines, you may want to check our Michelin Restaurant & Rioja Wine Tour of the Camino de Santiago.
Olite Wine Festival (Fiesta de la Vendimia) – Early September
Olite, the “Wine Capital of Navarre” just south of Pamplona, hosts its Fiesta de la Vendimia (Grape Harvest Festival) every early September, typically during the first weekend. The centuries-old tradition remains alive and vibrant, making Olite a charming detour or rest-day stop on the Camino.
What to expect:
- Grape-stomping demonstrations, wine tastings, and open-door winery visits
- Concerts, grape-themed tastings, and festive competitions like window-dressing
- Medieval-themed fun, often with costumed processions and a lively, celebratory atmosphere
Olite—a Historic-Artistic town—is still dominated by its Gothic castle-palace. Now converted into a Parador Nacional hotel, the Palacio de los Reyes de Navarra de Olite or Castillo de Olite was built during the 13th and 14th centuries. It has been one of the seats of the Court of the Kingdom of Navarre since the reign of Charles III “the Noble”. The town also possesses two stunning medieval churches (Santa María and San Pedro). It’s a place where wine and history blend beautifully into memorable experiences.
Either to be enjoyed as a rest day excursion from Pamplona or as a detour here for an overnight stay. The delightfully Gothic Olite is located in the Region of Navarre, in northern Spain, and the Navarre Wine Harvest Festival is held every September.
The main celebrations take place in Olite, where there are concerts, tasting sessions, and a shop window-dressing competition for wine harvest themes. Many establishments offer the chance to sample tapas, main dishes, and desserts related to and inspired by grapes. Furthermore, all the Olite wineries have open days for visits.
Estella Early Music Week – First Fortnight of September
Estella-Lizarra continues to be a hub for early music lovers. The renowned Semana de Música Antigua de Estella (Early Music Week) runs from September 6–13, 2025, featuring top Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque music in spectacular historic settings like the Church of San Miguel.
Festival highlights:
- Concerts by respected chamber ensembles and soloists, often held in ancient churches
- A chance to immerse oneself in musical heritage in a city with deep Camino roots
- Performances against a backdrop of Gothic architecture and Roman-era streets
This week-long festival is one of Navarra’s oldest and most prestigious cultural events—a must-see for walkers passing through Estella in early September.
Other Navarra Events Worth Considering
If your Camino journey doesn’t align with those dates, or you’re looking for an alternative:
Cultur Izan (Aug–Oct 2025): A rotating series of traditional music, dance, and cultural workshops in 14 towns across Navarra, including Estella, Pamplona, and Tudela. It’s perfect for walkers wanting to dive into local culture off the main Camino route.
Estella Patron Saint Festivities (early August): A week of lively celebrations, parades, local tradition, and bull‐run-style events in honour of San Andrés and the Virgen del Puy.
Medieval Week in Estella (late July): Residents dress in medieval costume, there are reenactments, markets, music, and an atmosphere lifted straight from the Middle Ages.
Ready to plan your Camino adventure? Explore our Camino Walking Tours in Spain.
