The Wine Battle of Haro, La Rioja

Declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest in 2011, the Haro Wine Battle, which attracts around 10,000 people every year, has become famous for its curious theme. The festival consists of the throwing of between 30,000 and 40,000 litres of wine as if it were a pitched battle.

WHERE AND WHEN?

In Haro, a municipality in La Rioja, located to the northwest, some 47 km from Logroño by road. Specifically in the Riscos de Bilibio area, about 6 km north of the town of Haro.

The battle takes place on the morning of 29 June, the feast of St. Peter.

ORIGIN OF THE FESTIVAL

This festivity could date back to the beginning of the 18th century. It was at that time that the hermitage in honour of San Felices de Bilibio (a saint who lived and died in this place) was built in the Riscos de Bilibio and the tradition of making a pilgrimage to this place began.

A finales del siglo XIX, los romeros empezaron a usar el vino para “bautizar” a los que se iniciaban ese año en la romería.

Over the years, the pilgrimage evolved into what is now known as the battle of the wine.thanks to the feast that took place during the pilgrims' lunch after attending mass at the hermitage. At that time (and now) lunches and feasts could not be understood without wine and it was not surprising that the broth ended up in the air, staining both sides. Already in 1949 this practice was commonplace, and this was the first year in which the throwing of wine gained the importance it deserved and the festival was renamed Batalla del vino (Wine Battle).

WHAT THE BATTLE IS ABOUT

The aim of the battle is to stain everyone you come across with wine. There can be no one left in Haro whose clothes have not changed from white to purple.

El festejo comienza muy temprano, sobre las siete de la mañana, cuando los grupos de “guerreros” empiezan a subir desde Haro a los Riscos de Bilibio, ya vestidos de blanco impoluto y por supuesto, bien cargados con la preciada munición porque durante el camino se pueden encontrar con “francotiradores” que les manchen a traición. Una vez arriba, aunque no es el inicio oficial, comienza la batalla y se empieza a arrojar el vino por doquier.

Meanwhile, at around 9 a.m., the town's alderman opens the procession on horseback to the hermitage of San Felices de Bilibio to place the town's banner at the top of the peñas. Once the mass has been held at the hermitage, a rocket signals the official start of the battle and the charangas begin to liven up the crowd with their music.

Cuando se acaba la munición, entre las 10 y las 11 de la mañana, se da por finalizada la fiesta y los guerreros paran para almorzar los típicos caracoles o las chuletillas al sarmiento. Cuando terminan de comer, se dirigen de nuevo hacia Haro en romería hasta el puente del río Tirón. Se entra en la ciudad y se dan las famosas “vueltas” al templete de música de la Plaza de la Paz. Para terminar, todos se dirigen a la plaza de toros para correr las vaquillas.

Suelta de vaquillas after the Batalla del Vino in the bullring.

RULES OF BATTLE

1. All participants must dress in white and wear the typical red scarf of the fiestas.
2. They have to smear, smear and smear, as fast as they can and in the best possible way.
3. They must use approved weapons, such as water pistols, bottles (other than glass bottles), sulphate sprayers, cauldrons, wineskins, in short, containers that can hold liquids as long as they cannot cause damage.
4. It is forbidden for the duration of the contest for the participants to stop laughing and singing.
5. The musicians of the charanga will continue to play and liven up the party as long as there is wine left.
6. In this battle there are no friends. If there is anyone still left in his white garb, he must be the target of all others.
7. Have as much fun as you can.
8. When people sit down to eat snails or grilled cutlets, the battle will be over.

Author: By BigSus

PRACTICAL TIPS FOR ENJOYING THE PARTY

• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. As we said, you should wear white, but it's best to wear something old and white that you don't mind getting damaged.
• Protect cameras, mobile phones and valuables with plastic if you don't want them to get wet, dirty or damaged.
• Look for accommodation in advance, as these festivals attract thousands of people.
• Look for accommodation in advance, as these festivals attract thousands of people.
• Enjoy the party in a responsible and respectful manner. Drink in moderation and do not endanger your safety and the safety of others.

ATTENTION FAMILIES!

Si tienes hijos menores de edad pueden participar en la batalla del vino infantil, que se celebra desde el año 2004, el 26 o el 27 de junio, dependiendo del año. En vez de usar vino tinto, los niños usan botas llenas de mosto tinto y en el almuerzo se les da chocolates y bizcochos. Por supuesto, ellos también dan “las vueltas” y amenizados por las charangas, corren con cabezudos en la plaza de San Martín.

If you feel like living a different experience, don't miss the opportunity to have fun at this curious party, a spectacle worth seeing, VIVA EL VINO!