Azpeitia will celebrate its 52nd Cider Championship on July 25th, as part of the Santiago Day festivities. This year, 23 cider houses will present their ciders in the town square, alongside a sheep cheese competition, a livestock exhibition, and numerous other events throughout the day.
The association Azpeitiko Sagardoaren Lagunak, in collaboration with the Gipuzkoa Cider Makers Association and the Azpeitia City Council, has organized the event. At the presentation held at the Añota cider house, Mikel Odriozola, head of the festival committee, and Olatz Mitxelena, coordinator of the Gipuzkoa Cider Makers Association, detailed the plans. Mitxelena emphasized that the association has secured generational succession and noted that Azpeitia is an important "oasis" for cider.
The 23 ciders competing will be one from each cider house, with each bringing 12 cases of cider – one for the competition and the rest for consumption. The participating cider makers are: Aburuza (Aduna), Alorrenea (Astigarraga), Altzueta (Hernani), Añota (Azpeitia), Urdaira (Usurbil), Astiazaran (Donostia, Zubieta), Itxasburu (Hernani), Barkaiztegi (Donostia, Martutene), Ekain (Zestoa), Igeldo (Donostia, Igeldo), Egi-Luze (Errenteria), Etxeberria (Astigarraga), Gaztañaga (Andoain), Irigoien (Astigarraga), Lizeaga (Astigarraga), Oiarbide (Astigarraga), Eula (Urnieta), Petritegi (Astigarraga), Ola (Irun), Rezola (Astigarraga), Oiharte (Zerain), Izeta (Aia), and Zabala (Aduna).
In addition to cider, the 26th Sheep Cheese Competition will also take place on Farmer's Day, featuring 22 cheese producers. Attendees will have the opportunity to taste sheep cheese pintxos, as well as pintxos of roasted veal and roasted bonito, after purchasing tickets at designated stalls.
As a new feature this year, and despite difficulties in holding fairs due to Basque Government prohibitions, a livestock exhibition has been organized. This exhibition will showcase cows from the same farm, as well as mares, sheep, donkeys, and dogs.
The program also includes the Cesar Valverde pelota tournament, performances by the municipal band and txistularis, a singing tour (kantujira), a professional pala match, and a romeria to ensure a full day of festivities.
