Sotés: Culture, Winegrowing and the Sierra de Moncalvillo

Sotés lies at the foot of the Sierra de Moncalvillo, where its north-facing slopes begin. Just a few hundred metres from the town centre, woodland vegetation begins and rises towards the south; heathland alternates with stands of pine, oak and beech.

Culture and History

The parish church of San Martín originated from a late Gothic building dating from the beginning of the 16th century and preserves an outstanding portal featuring an equestrian depiction of Saint Martin of Tours. The church also contains a Spanish Rococo work from 1678, created by Alejo de San Juan and Francisco de la Cueva. Other features include a 14th-century image of the Virgin Mary, a Rococo altarpiece and 18th-century frescoes.

The restored Palacete de los Alesón is a 17th-century manor house that preserves original architectural elements, including the coat of arms of the noble family. The Casa de los Dulce preserves the coat of arms of the Marqués de Castellflorite.

Archaeological finds in Sotés include flint tools and Roman roof tiles; traces of settlement date back to the Bronze and Iron Ages. Sotés was first mentioned in 1068 in a deed of exchange involving King Sancho de Peñalén and Irache Monastery. For several centuries, Sotés belonged to the town of Navarrete, gained its independence in 1747 and was thereafter referred to as a villa rather than a village.

Nature and Trails

The Marcha Moncalvillo y Santa Coloma route runs from Sotés to Monte del Horcajo, then to the access road to Moncalvillo and down through oak and beech forests to Santa Coloma; it returns to Sotés via Cuyavalla. It is approximately 24.6 kilometres long. Another hiking route from Sotés heads towards Monte del Horcajo and visits the Nevera de Sotés.

The Fuente El Colegial recreation area lies in the Barranco de las Alías, on the old road from Sotés to Hornos de Moncalvillo, next to a disused bend. Genets, foxes, Eurasian jays, Eurasian blackcaps and common toads are found there. The Way of Saint James crosses the municipality of Sotés from east to west.

Other places to research independently include Igea, Fuenmayor, Villamediana de Iregua, San Vicente De La Sonsierra, Cuzcurrita De Río Tirón, Lagunilla del Jubera, Azarrulla and Cenicero.

Festivals and Customs

On 15 May, Sotés celebrates San Isidro Labrador with a mass and procession. Wheat or barley ears, broad beans and flowers serve as symbols of the first produce of the fields.

The patron saint festival of San Juan Bautista on 24 June comprises three days of festivities with religious events, entertainment for all age groups, traditional dance performances and public tastings. Every Maundy Thursday, a procession of the Nazarene, the Dolorosa and the Crucifix takes place, accompanied by two choirs singing romances by Lope de Vega.

On 11 November, Sotés celebrates San Martín with three days of festivities and a programme similar to that of the San Juan festival. On Easter Sunday, Judas is traditionally burned after mass; beforehand, the village community puts a straw effigy on trial and reads out the verdict.

Food and Agriculture

Winegrowing is the most important agricultural activity in Sotés. Tempranillo is the most widely cultivated grape variety, and a cooperative winery processes a large proportion of the production into wine under the Rioja designation of origin.

Recipes passed down through generations preserve a characteristic sotesian influence, including rosquillas, bollos with chinchorras and migas. Sotés is home to several businesses producing honey characteristic of this area, favoured by the wooded surroundings.

For the broader travel overview: La Rioja.