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Tasting Basque White Wine in Getariako Txakolina

txakoli getariako txakolina basque country

txakoli vineyards in getariako txakolina basque wine country

The Txakoli (or Chacolí ) Wines of Getariako Txakolina

The most visited places in the Basque region of Spain (at least by English speakers) are cities like San Sebastian, Bilbao and Pamplona (renowned for its running of the bulls/San Fermin festival which Hemingway made so famous in English speaking countries).

But beyond these crowded and glittering cities, there are so many more treasures to be uncovered.

In December, I took a trip to the coastal area of Basque Country that’s known for producing Txakoli (or Chacolí- it’s spelled both ways) wines. I opted to stay within the DO (Denominacion de Origen) called Getariako Txakolina near the coastal villages of Getaria and Zarautz.

Txakoli white wines (also called txakolina wines) are light bodied, high acid wines that are naturally effervescent and normally drunk before dinner, with tapas or with seafood. They are made from the grape Hondarribi Zuri. There are Txakoli red wines, but they are far less common and make up very little of what is produced. The red wines are made from the Hondarribi Beltza grape.

Txakoli wines have always been one of my top two choices when it comes to white wines from Spain. So, when I found out that they were also produced in one of the most beautiful coastal regions in Spain I was even more excited to make the trip.

Getariako Tkakolina Coastal Basque Country Spain
Sunset in the hills in Getaria (this pathway goes for miles and miles and from village to village)

The Magic

There is a lovely feeling when you travel to these types of areas in Spain. A feeling that you are somewhere that is not so overwrought with year round tourism (at least not at the level of nearby San Sebastian) that locals are tired of seeing people. It’s an area that genuinely welcomes more visitors and still holds on to many traditional ways of doing things, not for the benefit of tourists, but simply because it is their way of life.

In the ocean-side vineyards of Getaria and Zarautz, where 100 year old vines hang heavy with fruit that you can touch while gazing out at the sea……you feel you’ve stumbled on a type of paradise.

Footpaths that make up portions of the famed Camino de Santiago wind through vineyards that wrap around and along cliffs over which there are rolling hills dotted with sheep and deep blue waters.

You can hike from village to village on foot (and even into France!), and around each bend lies another spectacular view. Fishing ports full of white sail boats or villages framed by a skyline of orange tiled roofs…… vineyards and stretches of nothing but green and blue.

Family Owned Wineries

A visit to the Getariako Txakolina Denominacion de Origen will naturally include visiting many family owned vineyards/wineries, restaurants and hotels. I visited three family owned and operated wineries and stayed in a lovely third generation family-run hotel set amidst vineyards overlooking Getaria.

getariako tkakolina txakoli wine basque country
Views over Talai Berri Vineyards
getariako txakolina txakoli wine basque country
Onditz at Talai Berri

Txakoli Wines from Getariako Txakolina

The Wineries:

Talai Berri A beautiful vineyard situated on a small parcel of land in Zarautz , this winery is run by Onditz and her sister now after coming back home to take over for their parents. They’ve got a fairly modern winery and have invested in making it a place where they can take visitors as well as in securing export business (which like most wineries in the area makes up a huge portion of their business). But, they are still a small operation (not the kind of place you find on TripAdvisor-though I added them there in the hopes it will lead others to the vineyard).

From the winery’s balcony you can see hikers tramping along a portion of the Camino de Santiago that runs through their vineyard (though it’s a less traveled portion of the Camino it’s stunning!)

Talai Berri’s two Txakolina white wines are stunning, with bright acidity and freshness. One, a bone dry version with a leaner body and the other with a bit more fruit forwardness and body (for export). Perfect paired with the sardines in oil or waxed peppers so commonly put out for all occasions on Basque tables.

And the hospitality of these lovely (but quiet) sisters will make you feel like you are visiting friends.

* You can email Onditz at Talai Berri to set up an appointment: info@talaiberri.com

Bodega Gaintza in Getariako Txakolina
Joseba at Bodega Gaintza

Gaintza Joseba, his brother and father run Gaintza now (he and his brother have recently come back to the winery to transition into the roles). Joseba runs the business and sales/export side while his brother and father farm the vineyards and make the wine. Their vineyards are situated very close to the town of Getaria, and in fact within walking distance of Hotel Prudentzio (my hotel) if you fancy taking a walk through vineyards and along cobbled paths (maybe 10 minutes on foot). I highly recommend the sunset views as well as their Rosé of Hondarribi Beltza!

* You can email Joseba to set up an appointment at: info@gaintza.com

Txomin Etxaniz Txakoli Wines in getariako txakolina
View from Txomin Etxaniz Winery
Txomin Etxaniz getariako Txakolina txakoli wines
Sardines in garlic oil, tuna and the whole Txomin Etxaniz line up at Bodega Txomin Etxaniz

Txomin Etxaniz By far the biggest out of the three Txakoli vineyards I visited in the Zarautz-Getaria regions, Txomin Etxaniz is still very much a family run business. Run by Mikel Txueka and his brothers and sisters (who, except for the oldest all went off to University before coming back to work in the family business), Txomin Etxaniz holds 350 years of winemaking and family history.
These days they do employ a few non-family members to keep up with the demands of their increasing production (including making and bottling wine for smaller vineyard owners who don’t have their own facility) but you will still feel the sense that the winery isn’t just a business-it’s a place that has been built generation by generation and earned its success.

You can email Mikel at: txakoli@txominetxaniz.com

Getaria coastal basque country spain
Sunset at Hotel San Prudentzio

Recommended Hotel

Hotel San Prudentzio

The Hotel San Prudentzio is perched at the top of a hill, surrounded by vineyards and hiking trails just a few minutes drive (or 15 minute walk on foot through vineyards on cobbled paths) from the town of Getaria. Vineyards and the ocean are in view at all times.

The interior is cozy yet colorful and modern. There is always a fire going if it’s cool weather. And one of the sisters is always available if you need anything.

This hotel was like heaven for me. Especially after being in hectic Madrid for so many months beforehand. It put me in the middle of nature, beauty and the outdoors and made me feel as if I was staying in a B&B run by friends rather than a hotel.

I highly recommend it! Please say hi to Ainhoa or Nerea for me if you end up here! Their email is: info@hotelsanprudentzio.com

GetariaCaminoHikingSM

All in all, coastal Basque country is one of my top two favorite places in Spain because it has everything I love: the ocean, vineyards, beautiful hiking trails and great food. I look forward to exploring more of this region!

*Note: Some of my posts may include affiliate links, though most do not. If you click on one of my links it costs you nothing extra, but may make me a few cents if your purchase something through that link.

24 Comments

  1. Stacey Billingsley

    I would love to go to Spain and visit those wineries. It looks so peaceful and tranquil there. What better way to spend an afternoon–looking out over the scenery with a glass of wine!

  2. Carola

    Beautiful landscapes! Vineyards always have such a striking effect: strict and organized and yet wild and natural.

    Happy continued travels!
    C

  3. Aina liquiddreams.pl

    I really love Basque Country and find txacoli delicious. Reminds me of the times I used to live and surf in San Sebastian 🙂

  4. Nicole

    Yes, Spain has some beautiful wine country. Why is it that France gets all the attention. I mean Spain has ham lol. Great post.

  5. Carmen Baguio

    What a lovely spot. I can see how relaxing it must have been. The hotel does seem more like a B&B with all of that personal service!

  6. Brooke

    Well France has a lot of amazing ham too-and I gotta admit I totally am in LOVE with France cured meats, cheeses AND wines! But Basque country is a place that stole my heart in Spain. Plus the people! 🙂

  7. Brooke

    lucky you! how long did you live there?

  8. Brooke

    Thanks Carola! I am definitely drawn to areas that have both natural beauty and vineyards (thanks to my 14 years in the wine industry!)-it doesn’t hurt to get great local wines while enjoying the scenery! 🙂

  9. Natalie

    This region looks incredible! I can’t get enough of that sunset in Getaria. Would love to check it out someday – I love trips that involve beautiful views + wine 🙂

  10. Only By Land

    My Dads favorite wine is from this region, Marques de Caceres, I think his favorite year is 2014. It’s interesting that the Camino de Santiago cuts through the vinyards. My mum and dad would love to have the experience you guys did in this part of Spain.

  11. Anna

    I’m all about off the beaten path and enjoyed reading your post. Also, made me want to go back to Spain now. Miss that country. Specially the food and wine. Lucky you, enjoy it while it lasts 🙂

  12. Iza, Fill My Passport

    Txakoli sounds interesting and richer. I would like to join a Txakoli tasting and tour too. I like that you mentioned that Txakoli is good with sardines. I am always curious what kind of food that would be suitable in different kinds of wine.

  13. Meg

    The Basque Country yesssss! My ex-boyfriend studied abroad here, can you believe that!?! Such a FANTASTIC region of Spain – I love that it’s relatively lesser-traveled too. Ugh. Now I want to go back!

  14. Bruce Schinkel

    I love visiting wine regions while I travel, and this one looks so picturesque and amazing! The ability to talk to wine makers and stroll through the vineyards is an experience unlike anything else

  15. Brooke

    Bruce- I agree! What are your favorite wine regions?

    For me there is definitely nothing better than meeting with people who make wonderful products that come from the land. I find it always connects me to their culture and always ends up including fantastic food! 🙂

  16. Brooke

    Wow! Lucky guy! This is my absolute favorite place in Spain so far but I would LOVE to spend months there not just a week! If you go back give me a call I’ll meet you there! 🙂

  17. Brooke

    Iza, Basque country can be tricky to navigate (the names of everything are in Spanish and Basque ) so when visiting from somewhere else it can be daunting especially since you need to drive to get to the really cool places. But here are some great resources for information if you visit:

    https://tourism.euskadi.eus/en/

    http://www.basquecountry-tourism.com/

    Or you can just email these producers directly and they will give you much easier directions. Starting out from San Sebastian it’s pretty close and easy to get to!

  18. Brooke

    Anna,

    When are you next in Europe? I actually will be back in Spain for 2017-so am really looking forward to seeing everything possible while I can! 🙂

  19. Brooke

    It’s crazy right? The Camino actually has a bunch of different paths you can choose from even within each region, all over Spain. The route that runs through Basque Country isn’t the most traveled one but for that reason most of all, I’d love to do it! Tell your mom and dad if they travel there they can email me and I’ll help them with setting up any appointments if they need!

    xo

  20. Brooke

    Gracias Agness! Have you been to this region?

  21. Emily

    Thank you for this article! Despite having studied in San Sebastían nearly a decade ago and having been back multiple times since, I unfortunately haven’t spent enough time out in the country side enjoying the views and hiking trails. It also took me way too long to discover how great txokolina is! Can’t wait to try out these places on an upcoming trip this September! 🙂

  22. Brooke

    Emily

    oh glad to hear you will be coming back! Let me know how it goes. I LOVE this part of Spain-and most particularly those gorgeous areas outside the big cities with the rolling green hills and views of the sea around every bend. It truly feels like a different Spain. I am also planning on heading back this Fall at some point 🙂

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