Celebrate Harvest at Aranda de Duero’s Grape Festival

Celebrate Harvest at Aranda de Duero’s Grape Festival

Story and photos by Christopher J Davies

We witnessed a spectacular celebration of the grape in this city of 33,000 inhabitants.

It seemed highly crowded as this was the first time in two years that people could gather in public, post-COVID lockdowns. From families with young children to seniors and everyone in between, people flooded the streets, bars, and restaurants.

There are more than three hundred wineries in Ribera del Duero, so it is fair to estimate that many townspeople work in the wine industry.

The gothic La Iglesia de Santa María la Real church was the perfect backdrop for traveling bands and the strange, child-terrifying marching “gigantes y cabezudos,” professional costumed giants. The younger crowd was dressed in costumes and drinking beers in the streets.

Restauranters expressed concern that pickpocketers were out and about, taking advantage of unassuming tourists. We took their advice, hid our wallets from sight, and held tight to our cameras.

It was a wonderful day celebrating the bounties of the harvest with an amiable group of locals.

Photo caption for musicians:

Members of the local marching band “Los Sobrinos de la Tía Damiana,” which translates to “Aunt Damiana’s Nephews.”