San Sebastián: Traditional Cider House Tour With Lunch

Discover the heart of Basque cider-making traditions on this immersive tour. Venture into a picturesque countryside and explore a family-owned cider house, where you’ll witness the Txotx ritual and savor natural cider straight from the barrel. Complement this authentic experience with a delicious farmhouse lunch highlighting local specialties. With a small group and knowledgeable guide, you’ll embark on an intimate journey that showcases the region’s rich culinary heritage. But the true allure of this tour lies in the unique moments you’ll encounter, leaving you eager to uncover more.

Key Points

• Immersive 4-hour guided experience exploring a traditional Basque cider house, cellar, and orchards, including the Txotx ritual and tasting of natural cider.
• Farmhouse lunch featuring local specialties like cod omelet, grilled T-bone steak, and cheese with jelly and walnuts, served with crisp Basque cider.
• Small-group tour limited to 8 participants for personalized attention, with pickup and drop-off included for convenience.
• Multilingual guide fluent in Spanish, English, French, and Basque, providing insights into the region’s cider-making heritage and cultural significance.
• Seasonal availability of tours, with optimum experiences in spring, summer, and autumn to explore orchards and observe the cider-making process.

Tour Overview and Details

The Traditional Cider House Tour in San Sebastián offers a 4-hour immersive experience exploring the rich cider-making traditions of the Basque Country.

Priced at $83.34 per person, this small-group tour includes a guided visit to a cider house, cellar, and apple orchards, where participants can partake in the Txotx ritual and taste natural Basque cider directly from the barrels.

The tour culminates with a farmhouse lunch featuring local specialties.

With limited availability, it’s best to reserve your spot early.

Pickup and drop-off are provided, and the tour is led by guides fluent in Spanish, English, French, and Basque.

Experience Highlights

On the tour, participants embark on a guided exploration of the cider house, cellar, and apple orchards.

The highlight is the Txotx ritual, where they get to taste the natural Basque cider directly from the barrels.

Following the tour, guests indulge in a farmhouse lunch featuring local specialties like cod omelet, grilled T-bone steak, and cheese with jelly and walnuts, all complemented by the cider.

The small-group experience, limited to 8 participants, ensures personalized attention from the multilingual live guide.

Whether seeking an authentic Basque cider experience or simply a delightful day in the countryside, this tour offers an immersive and delectable outing.

Transportation and Meeting Point

Transportation to the meeting point and pickup is included in the tour. The guide will meet you at a central van labeled "Sagardoa Route" to transport you to the cider house.

Pickup and drop-off services are provided, making it convenient for you to enjoy the experience without worrying about logistics. The small group size, limited to 8 participants, ensures a personalized and intimate tour.

The guide is fluent in Spanish, English, French, and Basque, catering to diverse language preferences. Whether you’re coming from within San Sebastián or elsewhere, the tour makes it easy to access the traditional cider house and learn about the local culture.

Participant Information

Adults aged 18 to 99 can participate in this tour. Youth aged 14 to 17 and children aged 4 to 13 are also welcome. Infants 3 and younger aren’t permitted.

The tour organizers have a few important rules:

1. No alcoholic drinks are allowed in the vehicle.
2. Participants can’t bring their own food onto the tour.
3. The group size is limited to 8 people for a more intimate experience.
4. The tour isn’t recommended for anyone with mobility issues, as it involves walking through the cider house and orchards.

Customer Reviews and Feedback

The tour boasts an impressive 4.9/5 overall rating based on 24 reviews, with participants highlighting the guide’s excellent knowledge, the quality of the food and cider, and the superb overall tour experience. Reviewers particularly praised the authenticity of the Txotx ritual and the farmhouse lunch, which featured regional specialties like cod omelet and grilled T-bone steak. While some suggested clarification on seasonal availability of the apple orchard tour, feedback on transportation and guide friendliness was overwhelmingly positive.

Rating	Percentage
5 stars	87%
4 stars	13%
3 stars	0%
2 stars	0%
1 star	0%

Exploring the Cider House

Guests embark on a guided tour of the traditional cider house, seeing the centuries-old process of cider production.

They explore the cellar, where rows of oak barrels stand testament to the art of fermentation.

The tour culminates in the Txotx ritual, where participants taste the natural Basque cider directly from the barrels, experiencing the complex flavors and effervescence.

The tour offers a deeper understanding of:

1. The region’s rich cider-making heritage.
2. The meticulous attention to detail in the production process.
3. The importance of natural ingredients and traditional methods.
4. The cultural significance of cider in Basque gastronomy.

Savoring the Basque Lunch

What could be more satisfying after a tour of the cider house than savoring a traditional Basque farmhouse lunch? The tour participants gather around a rustic table, eagerly anticipating the feast to come. The meal begins with a delectable cod omelet, followed by the star of the show: a perfectly grilled T-bone steak. To complement the savory dishes, a selection of local cheeses with jelly and walnuts is offered, along with freshly baked bread and, of course, the star of the day – the crisp, natural Basque cider.

Dish	Description
Cod Omelet	A savory, fluffy egg dish filled with tender cod.
Grilled T-bone Steak	A juicy, flavorful cut of beef, grilled to perfection.
Cheese with Jelly and Walnuts	A selection of artisanal Basque cheeses, accompanied by sweet jelly and crunchy walnuts.

Seasonal Availability of Tours

Seasonal availability of the traditional cider house tours in San Sebastián can vary depending on the time of year.

While the tours are generally offered year-round, the access to the apple orchards may be limited during certain seasons.

Visitors should keep the following in mind:

1. Spring and summer months offer the best opportunity to visit the orchards and see the apple trees in bloom.
2. Autumn is the prime cider-making season, providing an immersive experience in the cider production process.
3. Winter tours may focus more on the cider house itself and the tasting ritual, without the orchard component.
4. Checking for seasonal updates is recommended to ensure the desired tour experience.

Things To Know

Can I Purchase Souvenirs at the Cider House?

Based on the information provided, it’s likely that visitors can purchase souvenirs at the cider house. The tour includes a visit to the cider house, cellar, and apple orchards, so there may be opportunities to buy cider or other local products as souvenirs.

Are There Any Dietary Accommodations Available?

The tour does offer dietary accommodations. Guests can request vegetarian, gluten-free, or other special dietary options for the farmhouse lunch by notifying the tour provider in advance. Flexibility is provided to cater to individual needs.

Is the Tour Wheelchair Accessible?

The tour doesn’t explicitly mention wheelchair accessibility. However, since it includes a visit to a cider house, cellar, and orchards, accessibility may be limited. It’s best to check with the tour operator for specific details on accommodations.

Can I Bring My Own Alcoholic Beverages?

No, bringing your own alcoholic beverages is not allowed on this tour. The tour includes tastings of traditional Basque cider as part of the experience, so outside alcoholic drinks are not permitted during the tour.

What Is the Dress Code for the Tour?

There is no specified dress code for the tour. However, it’s recommended to wear comfortable, casual clothing and sturdy shoes suitable for walking on uneven terrain in the apple orchards and cider house.

Sum Up

This tour offers an immersive cultural experience in the heart of the Basque region. Visitors can explore the time-honored cider-making traditions, partake in the Txotx ritual, and savor a delicious local lunch. With a small group size and knowledgeable guide, it’s an intimate and authentic way to discover the rich culinary heritage of San Sebastián’s countryside.