Ola Sagardotegia, a gourmet and authentic cider experience in the Basque Country

"Txotx!" That perfectly sums up the Ola Sagardotegia cider house in Irún, a former 13th ^- century forge restored in 1999, a convivial place where Basques love to raise a glass. Open year-round, it alternates between events and local traditions, offering locals and tourists alike the chance to discover all the secrets of cider and apples. Dive into the heart of the fruit and raise your glass! Cider flows freely at the Ola Sagardotegia cider house.

Photo credit ©Cidrerie Ola Sagardotegia

Apples and cider: a true ancestral know-how

Basque cider, also called sagardoa, means "apple wine," a delicious, fruity, and natural drink best enjoyed chilled. Each year, Ola Sagardotegia produces over 80,000 liters of cider from apples harvested on more than 8 hectares of its own land. This labor of love begins in mid-September with the harvesting of different apple varieties, which are sorted and washed, then undergo quality control to obtain the Euskal Sagardoa Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and the organic label. The juice obtained by pressing is then placed in settling barrels for 24 hours, followed by final fermentation in barrels to allow the sugar to be converted into alcohol while the cider develops its fruity aromas. After three months of waiting, the new cider season begins, offering the opportunity to taste this iconic Basque beverage straight from the barrels.

Txotx, an ancestral tradition preserved at the Ola Sagardotegia cider house

If you're traveling through Gipuzkoa at the beginning of the year, you'll undoubtedly hear the word "txotx" many times, as this local tradition is so cherished in the region. This unmissable Basque Country event is a unique experience to enjoy between mid-January and the end of May, combining Basque atmosphere, tasting, and conviviality. The concept has evolved somewhat, as originally, the txotx allowed cider enthusiasts to sample several barrels to select their favorite. Today, the tradition invites food lovers to gather around an excellent menu while enjoying the new cider straight from the source. Ola Sagardotegia respects these customs and offers a cider house menu featuring specialties:

• Cod omelet;
• Codfish with peppers;
• Grilled ribeye steak;
• Cheeses, nuts and quince paste.

Keep your eyes peeled, when the boss shouts "txotx", he's ready to serve you a glass of cider straight from the barrel to drink in one gulp.

A grill restaurant serving traditional Basque cuisine

After the txotx period, the tasting experience continues in the heart of the Ola Sagardotegia cider house restaurant.

A friendly atmosphere

Open from June to December, the restaurant offers fresh, high-quality cuisine, typical of Basque gastronomy. In a truly special setting. In summer, you can enjoy the terrace surrounded by nature, while in winter, the room with its exposed beams is magnificent, featuring a fireplace and solid wooden tables. Settle in comfortably and take the time to admire the wood-paneled decor of one of the most typical cider houses in the Basque Country. In winter, a fireplace warms the space while Basque cuisine delights the palate.

Local and high-quality cuisine

Local produce takes center stage at the Ola Sagardotegia cider house, which sources its ingredients from local farms, selecting the freshest and most seasonal produce. While the vegetables, beef, and fish are all locally sourced, the chicken used in the kitchen is raised in the cider house's own orchard. Treat yourself to homemade dishes from appetizer to dessert, available à la carte or as a set menu to suit your tastes and appetite. Seasonal salads, cod with green sauce, grilled rib-eye steak, or even grilled baby squid— Basque cuisine is generous and meant to be enjoyed without restraint. And be sure to save room for dessert!

Exciting visits to the Ola Sagardotegia cider house

Want to delve into the heart of cider history ? Discover all the secrets of cider making or taste apples straight from the orchard? Head to the Ola Sagardotegia cider house, which offers several options to immerse yourself in their fruity world. The visit begins with exploring the estate, nestled in a natural setting surrounded by apple trees. Originally, the building was one of the most important forges in the Gipuzkoa region, a magnificent structure renovated and transformed by the Bengoetxea family into one of the most typical cider houses in the Basque Country.

Classic cider house tour

It includes a tour of the estate, a visit to the orchard and the production area, and ends with a tasting of cider and homemade aperitifs. Duration: 1 hour, minimum 8 people

Visit and lunch at the cider house

It includes a guided tour of the estate, a visit to the orchard (with the option to bite into an apple), and the production area. The tour concludes with a tasting of cider and a house aperitif, followed by the cider house menu. Duration: 4 hours, minimum 2 people

A transport option can be included in the package

Guided tasting with lunch

This tour allows you to discover all the secrets of the old forge, the cider house, and the cider-making process, including apple cultivation in the orchard. You will have the opportunity to taste three ciders and enjoy the cider house menu in the beautiful restaurant. Duration: 3.5 hours

Albaola and cider factory

This tour immerses you in the heart of Basque culture with a visit to the shipyard where the San Juan boat is being rebuilt, followed by a guided tour of the cider house and a tasting of a traditional menu. Duration: 5 hours

A transport option can be included in the package

A shop where you can treat yourself in Ola Sagardotegia

Throughout the year, the Ola Sagardotegia cider house welcomes you alongside a passionate family delighted to introduce you to their trees, apples, and the kupelas (small earthenware jars) that hold their delicious fruity beverage. Has the cider won you over? Visit the shop to discover their other products:

• Organic Reineta apple jam;
• Organic apple juice;
• Regil's organic apple puree;
• Artisanal wildflower honey.

Natural flavor, lovingly preserved at the Ola Sagardotegia cider house

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