This event offers an unparalleled opportunity for Gipuzkoa to showcase its cider culture and tourism offerings on a global stage. It will bring together industry professionals and specialized audiences, serving as a strategic platform for the international projection of the territory.
The delegation will include representatives from the Gipuzkoa Provincial Council, the Sagardoaren Lurraldea entity, and the cider houses Gurutzeta, Zapiain, and Petritegi, all based in Astigarraga, a historic hub of cider production. The Gipuzkoan presence will leverage this forum to position the territory as a leading European destination for cider, highlighting its tourist, gastronomic, and cultural appeal.
Over the three days, a specific program of activities focused on promoting the territory will be developed. On Thursday, April 16, a technical meeting and a presentation for tourism professionals, such as agencies and tour operators, will be organized by the Provincial Council's Tourism Department. This will be followed by an institutional event for specialized journalists and cider sector agents, featuring the Director of Tourism, Libe Otegui, and audiovisual material about Gipuzkoa.
On the same day, a txotx-style dinner for about a hundred attendees will be held at the Bornheimer Ratskeller restaurant, recreating the traditional experience of Gipuzkoan cider houses with the installation of kupelas and direct cider tasting.
On Friday, April 17, the program will include various presentations on the sector, including one by Sagardoaren Lurraldea focusing on Gipuzkoa's cider culture. Additionally, the CiderWorld’26 Award ceremony will take place, where the Provincial Council will present one of the awards, further promoting the territory.
Also on this day, under the title Sagardoa Meets Apfelwein, participating cider houses will offer a guided tasting for judges, international producers, and specialized audiences, held at Frankfurt's historic Apfelweinkontor cider house.
The final day, Saturday, April 18, will focus on the CiderWorld’26 Expo, held at the Gesellschaftshaus Palmengarten. Gipuzkoa will have the main stand at the event, where Gurutzeta, Zapiain, and Petritegi cider houses will offer tastings of their products, including natural, sparkling, and dessert ciders. The Provincial Council will also have its own space for tourism promotion.
To conclude, an Euskal Sagardoa master class will be held, a guided tasting of ciders with Designation of Origin, allowing for a deeper understanding of the characteristics and unique qualities of this product.
“"This participation is highly significant at one of Europe's leading fairs in the sector, both for its value in disseminating cider culture and for understanding international trends."
“"We want to highlight the importance of the German market, which registered 62,000 visitors to Gipuzkoa in 2025, and note that this event represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen the international projection of the territory in an uncertain global context."
Gipuzkoa's presence at CiderWorld 2026 is thus positioned as a key action within its tourism promotion strategy and support for a sector with deep cultural and economic roots in the territory.
