A Japanese trade delegation visits the Basque Country to learn about the Rioja Alavesa wines, Txakoli, and Ciders on offer

• Interest sparked after the Basque promotion in Osaka and Tokyo last October
• They will visit wineries, vineyards, and cider houses in Araba, Bizkaia, and Gipuzkoa
• 16 importers, sommeliers, journalists, influencers, and professors related to food and beverages will participate in tastings and meetings
• They come from Fukushima, Tokyo, and Yamanashi: on Monday the 26th, Minister Mrs Amaia Barredo will welcome them in Laguardia

Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque Country 2025 05 23

A Japanese trade delegation is visiting the Basque Country these days to learn about the Rioja Alavesa wines, txakolis, and ciders on offer. Following the presentation of Basque wineries last September in Tokyo and Osaka by the Basque Government's Department of Food, Rural Development, Agriculture, and Fisheries, Minister Mrs Amaia Barredo believes that "a great opportunity has opened up for exports of our products, in addition to a growing interest in Basque gastronomy. Now they want to learn more about our products, which will undoubtedly open up a powerful new market."

The Japanese delegation is made up of 16 importers, sommeliers, journalists, influencers, and professors related to food and beverages. From May 24 to 30, they will learn about the Rioja Alavesa, Bizkaiko Txakolina, Getariako Txakolina, and Euskal Sagardoa designations of origin at various wineries. "This is a trade mission with two objectives: to find importers for wineries that don't have an agent in Japan and to spread knowledge about the designations of origin and wineries already present in Japan," commented Amaia Barredo, who will welcome them early on Monday, May 26, at Villa Lucía, Laguardia.

In Rioja Alavesa, they will participate in an informative event on "Introduction to Basque Wine, Territory, and Culture," as well as a tasting in Laguardia and a masterclass on Rioja Alavesa, Txakoli, and Euskal Sagardoa, taught by sommelier and oenologist Mikel Garaizabal.

Wineries in Alava that, for the time being, do not have an importer in Japan and wish to introduce their products there will have a series of meetings with the visitors. Within the visiting group, both the promoters and importers will hold various meetings and visit wineries that have expressed interest.

The group of Japanese promoters will visit several wineries and vineyards. Elciego will be another point of interest. From Laguardia, they will tour several enclaves in the Rioja Alavesa region, visiting centuries-old wineries with tastings beneath the walls of Laguardia, where they will explore its portico and the landscapes of the Cantabrian mountains.

On Wednesday, they will visit Samaniego and then head to Donostia-San Sebastian to learn about the local customs of "pinchos" (tapas) and "poteo" (drinks). The following day, they will hold several meetings within the Getariako Txakolina Designation of Origin (DOC) in Getaria, Hondarribia, Aia, Zarautz, and the Euskal Sagardoa region in Astigarraga.

Promoted by the Basque Government, a Basque delegation last October promoted Rioja Alavesa wines, Txakoli from Getaria, Bizkaia, and Araba, and "Euskal Sagardoa" cider in Osaka and Tokyo. Along with professionals, specialized press, and chefs Yoshitsugu Yamamoto and Ryusuke Nakano, Minister Amaia Barredo detailed the growing commercial, gastronomic, and cultural ties between Japan and the Basque Country and participated in a pairing of Basque-Japanese products with Rioja Alavesa wines, Txakoli, and Euskal Sagardoa cider. This has sparked Japanese interest in the Basque product, and new trade agreements can now be concluded.