Every year on June 29th, the quiet Spanish town of Haro in La Rioja erupts into a crimson-soaked spectacle unlike any other. The Haro Wine Festival, or La Batalla del Vino, transforms the streets, and its participants, into a sticky, purple mess of laughter, camaraderie, and, of course, wine. 

A Battle Steeped in History and Wine

What began as a territorial dispute between Haro and neighbouring Miranda del Ebro in the 13th century has evolved into one of Spain’s most exuberant festivals. Legend says that villagers marked their boundaries with flags, but somewhere along the way, wine became the weapon of choice. While the flag-marking tradition dates back to a 13th-century territorial dispute in 1237, the playful wine battle we see today didn’t take place until much later, gaining popularity in the 20th century.

By the 18th century, the annual pilgrimage to the Hermitage of San Felices de Bilibio had taken on a playful twist: instead of solemn prayers, revellers drenched each other in wine. Today, the festival is a raucous blend of tradition and pure, unadulterated fun. 

The Great Wine Fight: How It Works 

At 7 a.m. on June 29th, thousands of participants, dressed head-to-toe in white, gather to follow the mayor horseback on a 7km procession to the cliffs of Bilibio. After a brief mass, the real chaos begins. 

Armed with buckets, bottles, water guns, and even wine-filled bota bags, the crowd unleashes a 90-minute wine war. By the end, the streets run red or rather, purple, and everyone, young, old, locals, and tourists, is drenched in Rioja’s finest. 

Ayer se celebró la Batalla del #vino de Haro, esta singular “lucha” se han empleado más de 40.000 l de vino, derramandose sobre los cuerpos de las 8.000 personas, equipados con todo tipo de “armas”, desde pistolas de agua a sulfatadoras. pic.twitter.com/1xsRwmxUx0

— The Guardian of Wine (@GuardianofWine) June 30, 2024

More Than Just a Wine Fight 

While the battle is the main event, the festival spans three days (June 28–30) with: 

Bonfires of San Juan (June 23–24) – Fireworks and midnight celebrations. 

Patron’s Day (June 25) – Honouring San Felices with processions. 

Post-battle feasts – Giant BBQs and dancing in the streets. 

About the Author
Sara Andrew is the founder of Inspire Global Media and a seasoned publicist, investigative journalist, and travel and food writer. As an editorial contributor, she brings sharp insight and a global perspective to her reporting.
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