La fiesta de San Mateo, La

Rioja
La Fiesta de San Mateo is a popular
week-long fiesta celebrated in a
region of La Rioja, Spain where
there are concerts and activities
all to do with the topic of wine.

The most famous place known for this fiesta is the city of Logrono,
here it is regarded as the biggest and most important festival of the
year and has gained worldwide recognition due to its excellent wine
quality.

Hundreds of people come each year from all around

La Rioja region and the world to celebrate this one
of a kind wine-drinking event.

It is a huge wine festival which coincides with the

Saint Feast day, tonnes of wine actually flows
through the entire city of Logrono from a wine
fountain.

Every year this fun fiesta begins on

the 16th of September at twelve and
ends on the 23rd though dates can
vary slightly each year.
What happens at in la Fiesta de San
Mateo?
The 21st is known as the most
important day as it is the day of San Mateo, the Patron Saint in
which the festival is held for, here, grapes from different
vineyards, carried by hundreds of children, are put into a barrel.
Once there, young people are selected to dress up in regional
 costumes and tread the grapes barefoot – imitating the process in
which the wine is made.

Programme:

 Traditional Rocket is Set off – a traditional rocket is shot into the

sky by a local boy and girl from a balcony in the town square of Logrono in
front of hundreds of spectators; this symbolises the beginning of the
seven-day festivities.
 Chamizo – One of the most important traditions in the fiesta; groups
of friends from around the city come together to build “Chamizos,” which
are little huts, in which wine and beverages can be kept.
 Parades – impressive wine-related carriages
are paraded down streets along with dancers
and anyone who wants to participate.
 Activities in Regional Houses – local
people offer different acivities throughout the
week, including regional dances, bull-running
with young bulls, food tasting etc.. for the
public.
 Grape crushing – held on the 21st this is the
most important day of the fiesta, where grapes are crushed in the
traditional way, barefoot.
 Week Finale – usually on the last few days there is a large market like
celebration in the market square where people sell traditional delicacies
(eg: chorizo etc) along with delicious La Rioja wine, dancing and concerts.

Origins of La Fiesta de San Mateo

Although the origins of this one-of-a-kind fiesta are not certain, it
is widely believed that it began after a small annual summer fair
tradition which was held in Logrono and soon became a key economic
boost to the city, becoming more well-known and famous each year.

As it became mor well-known, the Spanish queen of the time, Reina

Isabel II agreed to the annual celebration, changing its official date
from the beginning of September, to the 21st, the day of Saint
Matthew – this way it had religious purpose, as the day of the feast.
Ever since the year 1956, this Fiesta was made official has been an
annual occurance and gained more popularity through time.