The Fiesta de la Vendimia de la Denominación de Origen Cariñena (‘Harvest Festival of the Designation of Origin Cariñena’), declared a Festival of Tourist Interest in Aragón, was established in 1960. The event marks the beginning of the grape harvest in all 16 municipalities where harvesting takes place. It is celebrated in Cariñena’s main square at the end of summer, around a fountain known as Fuente de la Mora.The festival’s main event, the “Exaltación del Vino” (Wine Exaltation), features two local residentsstomping on the first grapes to produce the year’s first mosto (freshly pressed grape juice). This is a moment of great significance for the people of this historic wine region, located in the province of Zaragoza. The freshly extracted liquid is then offered to Santo Cristo de Santiago, the patron saint of Cariñena, as a symbolic wish for a prosperous harvest. Following this, the fountain’s pipes wine instead of water throughout the entire day. This tradition dates back to the 16th century, when the town welcomed King Philip II in the same manner.
To mark the 75th anniversary of the Designation of Origin Cariñena, which was celebrated from September 2007 toSeptember 2008, the title of Guest of Honour was introduced. Since then, a renowned figure has been invited to participate in the event each year, whether a notable personality in Spanish society or someone with a special connection to the celebration. After the grape-stomping ceremony, the Guest of Honour joins the president of the Designation to switch on the Fuente de la Mora. This is the highlight of the entire event, bringing together a large crowd, numerous officials, and the entire Consejo Regulador.
This ceremony was established in 2008 to commemorate the presence of Their Majesties, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía, at the Cariñena Harvest Festival, where they presided over the official closing of the 75th Anniversary celebrations of the Designation of Origin. The King had the honour of pressing the switch that set the fountain in motion.
But the festival doesn’t end here. After the main event, locals from the Cariñena Designation of Origin and visitors enjoy a weekend full of entertainment activities, such as live music and performance groups. The Wine Museum of the Designation also opens its doors free of charge. Another essential part of the festival is the traditional Paseo del Vino, where visitors can taste the finest wines from the wineries of the D.O.P. Cariñena at the various stalls set up along the entire avenue.
Since 2014, following the institutional ceremony, the Guest of Honour takes part in another unique tradition: imprinting their hands on the Paseo de las Estrellas. Inspired by the famous Hollywood Boulevard, this walkway features the handprints of notable figures who have visited Cariñena. However, instead of the classic star, their marks are set in a cement vine leaf.
To date, more than 25 well-known figures have left their handprints on the Paseo de las Estrellas, either during the Harvest Festival or at other events of the Designation of Origin: David Trueba, Gabino Diego, Miguel Ángel Lamata, Paula Ortiz, Elvira Lindo, Eduardo Noriega, Luisa Gavasa, José Ramón de la Morena, Cristina del Valle, Santiago Segura, Manuel Vilas, Antón Castro, Theresa Zabell, Fernandisco, Antonio Resines, Leo Harlem, Itziar Miranda, Nacho Rubio, Roberto Brasero, Luz Gabás, Norma Ruiz, Jorge Usón, Salomé Jiménez, Miguel Ángel Berna, Lola Herrera, and Rosa Mª Calaf.
Additionally, in 2020, another plaque was placed on the Paseo de las Estrellas in memoryof thevictims of COVID-19. This was the only event held that year for the 54th Harvest Festival.
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Guests of Honourat the Harvest Festival since 2008
Guests of Honourat the Harvest Festival since 2008
2008: The Kings of Spain
On 23 September 2008, a historic day for the Protected Designation of Origin Cariñena, the region marked its 75th Anniversary and the 42nd Harvest Festival with the presence of the then-Kings of Spain, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía. The monarch had the honour of activating the Fuente de la Mora, delighting the thousands of Cariñena residents and visitors who filled Plaza de España and the surrounding streets. The people of Cariñena welcomed them with great enthusiasm, cheering them along their route with cries of admiration and affection.
2009: Gonzalo arguilÉ
On 30 August 2009, the 43rd edition of the Harvest Festival took place. On this occasion, the then Regional Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Government of Aragón, Gonzalo Arguilé, had the honour of switching on the Fuente de la Mora. As in previous years, the event was filled with genuine excitement and enthusiasm, particularly during the central ceremonies. This edition also marked the first Harvest Festival for José Luis Mainar in his role as president of the D.O.P. Cariñena.
2010: VICENTE DEL BOSQUE
On 25 September 2010, the Protected Designation of Origin Cariñena welcomed a truly exceptional Guest of Honour: Vicente del Bosque, coach of the Spanish National Football Team, which had been crowned World Champion in South Africa just weeks earlier. For only the second time in its history, the festival’s main event took place at night, allowing attendees to enjoy a stunning display of lights and colours in the square and around the fountain. Additionally, the Regulatory Council paid tribute to José Antonio Labordeta with a Special Edition of 1,000 bottles of a Gran Reserva wine, featuring the name and label of the renowned Aragonese writer and singer-songwriter.
2011: CARME CHACÓN
On 27 August 2011, then-Minister of Defence Carme Chacón succeeded Vicente del Bosque as the Guest of Honour at the 45th Harvest Festival of the Protected Designation of Origin Cariñena. In an emotional speech, she paid tribute to the renowned Aragonese writer and singer-songwriter José Antonio Labordeta, who had recently passed away, highlighting his deep connection to Aragón. Additionally, this edition featured a special exhibition at the D.O.P. Cariñena Wine Museum, where visitors had the unique opportunity to see and take photos with the 2010 FIFA World Cup Trophy from South Africa.
2012: JUAN ECHANOVE
On 1 September 2012, actor Juan Echanove, accompanied by his son and some friends, was the Guest of Honour at the 46th Harvest Festival. During his visit to the city, the acclaimed and award-winning Spanish actor received warm expressions of admiration from the public. In his speech, he stated that “some of the wines produced in this region are considered among the best in the world.” This edition also marked the first time that the Paseo del Vino opened at night following the main event.
2013: JUAN MANUEL SÁNCHEZ
On 8 September 2013, MasterChef’s first-ever winner, Juan Manuel Sánchez, was the Guest of Honour at the 47th Harvest Festival. The chef praised the production of the region’s wineries: “I hope we can all work together to continue increasing the impressive sales figures of your wines, which are breaking export records year after year. And that’s no coincidence. Although I was already familiar with them, since being named Guest of Honour, I’ve had the chance to taste even more, and I’m not surprised that people all over the world are eager to get their hands on Vinos de las Piedras.”
2014: DAVID TRUEBA
On 14 September 2014, film director David Trueba was the Guest of Honour at the 48th edition of the Harvest Festival. After activating the Fuente de la Mora, he became the first
person to leave his handprints on the newly inaugurated Paseo de las Estrellas in Cariñena. In his speech, Trueba reflected on the connection between cinema and wine: “Filmmaking is a slow and demanding task that we undertake to bring pleasure to others, regardless of the droughts, the hardships, the unpleasant effort, the storms, and the hail that occasionally comes our way.”
2015: GABINO DIEGO
Actor Gabino Diego was the Guest of Honour at the 49th edition of the Harvest Festival on 14 September 2015. After switching on the Fuente de la Mora and leaving his handprints on the Paseo de las Estrellas in Cariñena, alongside film director Miguel Ángel Lamata, the actor proudly declared himself an ambassador of the region’s wines. He concluded his speech by dedicating a song to Cariñena, its wines, and its people, saying that everything about them fills him with joy and inspires him to sing.
2016: ELVIRA LINDO
The 50th edition of the Harvest Festival was particularly special for the Designation, as it not only reached this golden milestone but was also officially recognised that year as an Event of Tourist Interest in Aragón. The Guest of Honour was writer Elvira Lindo, author of Manolito Gafotas, who praised the winemakers of Cariñena as “creators of our happiness” and moved the audience with her reflections and anecdotes about wine. To mark this remarkable edition, the DOP unveiled a specially crafted mantle for the Virgen del Pilar, which was displayed at the Wine Museum before being donated to the Metropolitan Chapter, allowing the patron saint of Hispanic heritage to wear it once a year.
2017: JOSÉ RAMÓN DE LA MORENA
The renowned sports journalist José Ramón de la Morena, director and host of iconic programmes such as El Larguero, began his speech as Guest of Honour at the 51st Harvest Festival by introducing himself as “a humble winemaker” who makes his own wine to share with friends but keeps Vinos de las Piedras in his cellar “for special occasions.” He also showcased his storytelling talent with a humorous retelling of the Wedding at Cana, in which he “revealed” that “the excellent wine Jesus produced at that celebration was from Cariñena.
2018: MANUEL VILAS
The Guest of Honour at the 52nd edition was the Aragonese writer Manuel Vilas, who that same year achieved great success with his novel Ordesa. Before switching on the Fuente del Vino and leaving his handprints on the Paseo de las Estrellas, Vilas compared wine to art in his speech, saying that it “celebrates life and enriches existence.” Highlighting its cultural role and its connection to “tolerance, kindness, and education,” the author affirmed that the Harvest Festival is “nothing less than a celebration of life, friendship, and joy.”
2019: ANTÓN CASTRO
The 53rd Harvest Festival featured writer and journalist Antón Castro, who shared with the audience his deep connection to the Protected Designation of Origin Cariñena, both in his personal life and literary work, ever since he sought work in the Cariñena harvest at the age of 19. Antón Castro recounted how he fell in love with the region’s “distinctive stony terrain” and later realised that it is “truly miraculous for the grape.” He praised “the brilliant slogan that has gained recognition: El Vino de las Piedras, which embodies the wonders of chance.”
2020: Tribute to the victims of LA COVID-19
In the year the pandemic began, the Harvest Festival experienced its most solemn and emotional edition. The 54th celebration replaced all traditional events and the role of the Guest of Honour with a brief ceremony, during which the then-president of the Designation of Origin, Ignacio Casamitjana, unveiled a plaque on the Paseo de las Estrellas inscribed with the words “In memoriam victims of COVID-19.” This heartfelt tribute was the DOP Cariñena’s way of honouring and remembering all those who lost their lives or were affected by the coronavirus.
2021: theresa zabell
Sailor Theresa Zabell, the only Spanish athlete to have won two Olympic gold medals, was the Guest of Honour at the 55th Harvest Festival, which, despite some restrictions, returned to its traditional celebrations. Zabell switched on the Fuente de la Mora and joined the distinguished figures who have left their mark on the Paseo de las Estrellas. In her speech, the athlete highlighted that the winegrowers and winemakers of the DOP Cariñena share the same values as Olympic champions—”hard work and perseverance to reach the top.” She also emphasised that the Designation is experiencing “its best moment yet, the result of daily dedication to being as competitive as the finest athletes.”
2022: ANTONIO RESINES
Antonio Resines, the popular star of well-known films and series such as Amanece que no es poco and Los Serrano, took centre stage at the 56th Harvest Festival with a humorous performance, playfully “rewriting” verses from La venganza de don Mendo to proclaim: “It was all the fault of the blessed Cariñena!” He also jokingly claimed to have founded the festival back in the 16th century. “With the determination and strength of the Aragonese people, we’ll pull through—especially the wine industry,” the actor remarked. The festival marked a special year, as it fully restored all its traditional events after two years of health restrictions.
2023: LUZ GABÁS
The Aragonese writer Luz Gabás, author of acclaimed novels such as Palmeras en la nieve and Lejos de Luisiana, with which she won the Premio Planeta earlier this year, was the Guest of Honour at the 57th edition. In her speech, she not only reminisced about her memories of wine in her family home in Cerler (Huesca) but also praised the D.O. Cariñena as “an example of a designation that has successfully reinvented itself to offer wines of outstanding quality.” She concluded by highlighting: “We have moved from the traditional winery to the modern wine bar, yet what truly matters remains unchanged—the desire to gather, converse, share, toast, and celebrate. This is life. And your Harvest Festival is a true celebration of life.”
2024: JORGE USÓN Y SALOMÉ JIMÉNEZ
The well-known actors from Zaragoza, Jorge Usón and Salomé Jiménez, brought theatre to the central event of the 2024 Fiesta, in a year when the rain itself seemed eager to join the celebration. The long-established and significant Romanian community living and working within the Designation of Origin also took centre stage, with two young representatives carrying out the traditional grape-stomping ceremony. The guests of honour expressed their gratitude to all vine growers and wineries for “the care and dedication they devote to their vines, as well as to everyone involved in the winemaking process, allowing us to enjoy these wines as one enjoys the true pleasures of life.”
Associations collaborating in the Harvest Festival
A wine fountain? It’s fantastic