Kuartango: tradition, innovation and cider in the heart of Álava

Kuartango is a valley in Álava, in the Basque Country, northern Spain. With an area of about 84 km² and around 400 inhabitants spread across small villages, its administrative capital is Zuazo de Kuartango. Nestled among mountains and crossed by the Bayas River, the valley boasts a rich natural and cultural heritage.

Traditionally dedicated to cereals and livestock, agriculture in Kuartango has found in the apple a new source of diversification. In recent years, local farmers have recovered autochthonous Basque apple varieties such as Bost Kantoi, Gezamina, Txalaka, Udare sagarra, Urtebi Txiki and Urtebi Haundia, perfectly adapted to the Atlantic climate and providing a unique character to Kuartango’s cider.

The valley’s main driver is Kuartango Sagardotegia, a cider house located in a former spa hotel. It is not only a production site but also a cultural and gastronomic hub, open all year round with permanent txotx, traditional and vegan menus, guided tastings, orchard visits, and transportation services.

Their flagship product is Kuartango Fire Cider – Su Sagardoa, which has won gold medals and PREMIUM recognition at SISGA (International Hall of Gala Ciders), as well as awards in Galicia and the Basque Country. Other innovative products include Callabocas, a cider beer (bronze medal), and Sagartxo, a cider-lemon low-alcohol beverage (bronze medal).

Kuartango is an active member of the European Network of Apple and Cider (Cider Cities), alongside municipalities from Spain, Portugal, France, Ireland and the UK. It also participates in the CIDEREU program, presented to the European Union, which aims to foster rural development and sustainability through apples and cider, linking production, tourism, employment and culture.

Kuartango shows how a small Basque valley can gain international recognition through cider: by combining agricultural tradition, recovery of local varieties, product innovation, tourism promotion and European cooperation.