On August 21, Requena will host the oldest wine festival in Spain

From August 21 to September 1, Requena (Valencia) will host the oldest harvest festival and wine festival in Spain — the LXXV Feria y Fiesta de la Vendimia de Requena. Its history dates back to the medieval tradition of celebrating the grape harvest and the production of young wine. Over the years, the city’s favorite event has become increasingly popular and is now an event of national tourist interest.

The annual Feria y Fiesta program, in addition to concerts, excursions, exhibitions and other entertainment, necessarily includes several traditional events. The main one among them is the Requena wine fair. FEREVÍN 2024 will take place from August 22 to 24 in Albornoz Square in the historic district of La Villa.

On Thursday, August 22, the Medieval Market will open in Plaza del Castillo. It takes festival-goers back in time and immerses them in a historical atmosphere. Vendors offer customers original crafts, accessories and jewelry, as well as traditional food and drinks from the Middle Ages.

On the last Tuesday of August (August 27 in 2024), Requena hosts the Noche de la Zurra. While the participants of this cheerful parade walk through the streets of the city, enjoying zurracapote (the drink that gives the event its name), everyone can throw a bucket of water on them from their balconies.

On Wednesday, August 28, the traditional Cava Night (Noche del Cava) will take place, an event dedicated to the Swiss Hispano wineries. And on Thursday, August 29, there will be a grand party in honor of the Harvest Festival. It will be attended by government officials and the chosen queens of the festival.

One of the most interesting spectacles of the Feria y Fiesta de la Vendimia de Requena is the trampling of the grapes and the blessing of the first must. It is also scheduled for August 28. After the juice is squeezed out of the first grapes of the year in the traditional way, the parish priest will bless the must. That evening, the Wine Fountain will open, near which public tastings will be held daily.

Another traditional event of the festival is the Night of the Ploughman (Noche del Labrador). In 2024, it is dedicated to Don Florencio Melero Virgidano, one of the most respected citizens.

In addition to the listed traditional events, guests of the Feria y Fiesta in Requena can expect masklets, fun competitions, master classes, parties, pyrotechnic shows, theatrical performances, exhibitions, as well as lots of live music, delicious food and, of course, wine. The full festival program can be found at this link.

 

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Photo from comunitatvalenciana.com