Hidden and forgotten by most Basques and locals, there lies a most spectacular valley only a short hop from Bilbao. Verdant, green and carved by waters flowing from the Sierra, this beautiful picturesque valley has a long history. The passes through the mountains dividing the Basque Country from Castille have been used for millennia by travellers, stocksmen, traders and soldiers. Today this sparsely populated vale is dotted with farms, vineyards, baserris, mediaeval tower houses, mills and forests.
Our trip will take you to the agricultural heart of the valley starting with a visit to a remarkable, award-winning cheese-maker and apiarist. After sampling these most ancient of foods, we come back to the 21st Century and a visit to a remarkable Bodega. Awarded for its wines and its innovation, we will sample, taste and learn about the third Txakoli that can be found in Euskadi; Arabako Txakoli. Lunch here is prepared in an old farmhouse and on sunny days served overlooking the magnificent scenery of the valley. If you come during the vendimia or grape harvest, usually in September- November, bring a pair of old clothes as you may be able to participate in the picking of the ripened Hondarribi Zuri grapes!!