This fun and a little crazy celebration takes place in one of the main wine-producing regions of Spain. If you want to take part in it, prepare white clothes. But keep in mind that it won’t stay white for long. According to ancient tradition, the Haro Wine Festival begins with a solemn procession that walks 6 kilometers to the hermitage of San Felice de Bilibio, located on the mountain. Here a mass is celebrated, followed by the Batalla del Vino – the Battle of the Wine.
All participants pour red wine on each other until the white clothes of their rivals turn purple. And all this action is accompanied by the tunes of a brass band, songs and laughter. When the “ammunition” runs out, the participants go down the mountain to dry their clothes and refuel their energy with traditional chuletillas al sarmiento – lamb chops that are cooked on coals of grapevine. And then the dancing, merrymaking, and wine-drinking continue in the streets of the city.
