Cigales – Clarete, Wineries and Cultural Heritage

Cigales is considered the birthplace of Clarete, a light and highly aromatic wine. The rosé wines of D.O. Cigales are characteristically made from a blend of red and white grape varieties. When choosing a holiday apartment in Cigales, you can weigh cellar districts, churches, paths and waterside views as different focal points of your trip planning. On listing pages, travel dates, room category and cancellation policies help with comparisons.

More destinations: Mota Del Marqués, Pozal De Gallinas, Villanueva de San Mancio, Mojados, Villavicencio de los Caballeros, Villardefrades, Serrada, Medina Del Campo

Wine and Cellar History

Cigales has two traditional winery districts dating from the 16th century, with more than 250 wine cellars. Bodega Tradicional Cigaleña is a centuries-old winery in the Barrio de Bodegas «Los Gatos».

This bodega is excavated nine metres into the ground and includes labyrinthine sisas as well as an 18-metre-long Roman beam weighing more than one tonne. During a visit, the various wine-making methods used in Cigales and the history of D.O. Cigales are explained; the tour concludes with a tasting of a D.O. Cigales rosé wine.

Visits to Bodega Tradicional Cigaleña are offered for groups of two to ten people by prior reservation.

Culture and Festivities

The Iglesia Parroquial de Santiago in Cigales is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the “Monument” category. The construction project for the Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol began in 1535 according to plans by Rodrigo Gil de Hontañón, was ultimately carried out by Juan de Saravia and Diego de Praves, and completed in 1772.

Guided tours of the Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol are organised through the Cigales tourist office. Empress Ana of Austria was born in the Palacio de los Condes de Benavente in Cigales.

The Fiesta de la Vendimia takes place in September. It is considered the oldest grape harvest festival in Castile and León and is recognised as being of regional tourist importance. It includes grape treading, the tasting of the first must, folklore groups and traditional dances.

The Ermita de Ntra. Sra. de Viloria lies outside Cigales and can be reached via the Camino de los Mártires. It has a 16th-century chancel covered by a star vault and a single-nave 17th-century body with a barrel vault.

During the Virgen de Viloria procession on 8 and 9 September, the image is carried to the church accompanied by dances.

Paths and Landscape

The Ruta del Vino Cigales lies between Valladolid and Palencia; the A-62 motorway connects its municipalities. The Senderos del Clarete extend for 93 kilometres through the twelve towns of the Ruta del Vino Cigales. The long route and the named viewpoint provide different criteria for planning.

The El Barrero recreation area in Cigales is a public, easily accessible area with car parks, tables and seating. The Mirador del Pisuerga at the section of the Canal de Castilla in Cigales offers a panoramic view of a meander of the Pisuerga.

The section of the Canal de Castilla that begins at the Puente de Santa Cruz runs entirely through Cigales.

For the higher-level travel overview: Valladolid.