Last Thursday afternoon, Altuna cider house in Urnieta hosted an event that exceeded attendees' expectations and left a clear sense of genuine success. The gathering broke the mold by successfully combining cider-making tradition with a fresh and surprising proposal. The program included a guided cider tasting led by oenologist Mikel Garaizabal, an appetizer prepared by Txomin Parrilla using local produce and, as one of the major attractions of the afternoon, an original selection of cider cocktails. Blends with lime, grapefruit and other refreshing notes brought an innovative and festive touch to the evening, turning cider into a versatile, appealing drink that was perfect for enjoying at dusk. The event was organized by Xabier Altuna, current manager and son of the winery, with the collaboration of Sagardoa Route, the Gipuzkoa Cider Houses Association and the Euskal Sagardoa Designation of Origin.
Altuna: 130 years of history and a cider with its own legacy
To speak of Altuna is to speak of a farmhouse with history, roots and a deep connection to cider. Located in Urnieta, very close to Donostia, surrounded by apple trees and conveniently situated next to the local train stop, this setting captures much of Gipuzkoa's rural landscape and tradition. The Altuna family has been linked to the farmhouse for nearly 130 years, since Xabier's great-grandparents settled there at the end of the 19th century - he, originally from Eskoriatza, worked on the railway tracks, and she, from Olaberria, worked as a maid in a local farmhouse. Xabier's grandfather was born in the farmhouse itself, where cider was already being made alongside livestock and farming work, both key pillars of the family's economy at the time. It was Xabier Altuna's father, Xanti Altuna, who took the step of dedicating himself professionally to the cider winery, strengthening that family tradition and laying the foundations for today's project. Now it is Xabier Altuna who carries the legacy forward, keeping alive a heritage built generation after generation. Before coming into the family's hands, the Altuna farmhouse belonged to a well-known family from Donostia, owners of around 50 farmhouses, especially in the Baztan area.
A modern outlook for a centuries-old tradition
That same determination to open new paths within tradition is what defines Xabier Altuna's work at the head of the winery today. Under his leadership, Altuna is going through a period of modernization based on continuous improvement, both in its facilities and in the machinery used to produce cider. This is accompanied by a clear commitment to further improving product quality and strengthening the link with its own raw materials, with new apple orchard plantings and plans to add two more hectares this winter. These are steps that reflect a modern, dynamic and ambitious outlook, capable of combining respect for family heritage with a renewed way of understanding the future of cider.
Euskal Sagardoa D.O., the event's leading star
The clear star of the day was Altuna's Euskal Sagardoa D.O. cider, the central focus of a proposal designed to highlight its quality, character and ability to adapt to new ways of consumption. Present both in the guided tasting and in the innovative cocktail offering, the cider showed all of its versatility without losing its connection to tradition and territory. The event therefore served to champion a product with its own identity, carefully crafted and deeply connected to the history of the house, yet also ready to connect with new forms of enjoyment and increasingly diverse audiences.
Altuna cider, within everyone's reach
Altuna's Euskal Sagardoa D.O. cider can be found in shops and restaurants across Gipuzkoa, but it is also available directly at the cider house itself, where it is sold to the public, as well as through its online store. In this way, Altuna makes it easy for its cider to reach any table through a convenient and efficient service, with home delivery in 48 hours and shipping options locally, nationally and internationally across Europe. Full information and online purchasing are available at: altunasagardotegia.eus
