Grape Harvest on the Camino de Santiago: When and Where to Experience It on Each Route

September and October are the harvest season in Galicia, although the exact date varies each year depending on the weather. Discover which designation of origin crosses each route of the Camino —Rías Baixas, Ribeira Sacra, Ribeiro, Valdeorras, and Monterrei— and when you can experience it.

September and October are generally the harvest season in Galicia: the vineyards are bustling with activity, the wineries are operating at full capacity, and the landscape is tinged with the same golden and reddish hues as the rest of autumn. However, the exact date is not fixed — it depends on how the spring and summer have gone each year, and it can vary by several weeks from one campaign to another. In this guide, I will tell you when and where you can experience the harvest along the different routes of the Camino de Santiago, and which denomination of origin crosses each one.

Wine barrels in a winery

When is the harvest exactly in Galicia?

There is no single date: each denomination of origin decides the start based on the ripeness of the grapes, and that moment depends on the weather in the preceding months. In years with normal spring and summer, the Galician harvest usually begins in mid to late September. However, in years with intense heat and drought, as has been happening lately, the calendar is significantly advanced, and the four Galician denominations — Ribeiro, Ribeira Sacra, Valdeorras, and Rías Baixas — start as early as the first half of August, almost a month earlier than usual.

If you walk the Camino in September, this means that in some years you will find the harvest in full swing, and in others, you may see it already advanced or even finished — both scenarios are part of the experience, and in one way or another, the vineyard landscape remains one of the great attractions of this season.

The Galician denominations of origin and their routes

Galicia has five denominations of origin, and each one intersects by taking a different route of the Camino. Here is what you will find in each one.

Rías Baixas — Portuguese Way

The most well-known D.O. in Galicia, with albariño as the main star: about 97% of its production is this variety of white grape. It is concentrated in the province of Pontevedra, right where the Portuguese Way runs. If you walk the last 100 km from Tui, you will fully cross this wine region, with traditional trellised vineyards that during the harvest are filled with crews working by hand.

Ribeira Sacra — French Way from Sarria

Here, wine is cultivated on terraces carved into the canyons of the Sil and Miño rivers, a landscape that many consider the most spectacular in all of Galicia. Mencía is the predominant red variety, with Godello as the reference white. It is located south of the province of Lugo, right along the route of the French Way from Sarria — so if you take this popular stretch, you pass through the heart of Ribeira Sacra without deviating from the route.

Ribeiro — Silver Way from Ourense

Just after passing through the spa city of Ourense, you enter the region of O Ribeiro, with varieties such as Treixadura (white) and Mencía (red). It is one of the lesser-known Galician denominations outside the region, making it a stop with less crowding. You cross it while completing the last 100 km from Ourense along the Silver Way.

Valdeorras — Winter Way

Between Ourense and Lugo, this region primarily produces Godello (white) and Mencía (red). It is the denomination that crosses the Winter Way, the alternative historically used by pilgrims to avoid the snow of O Cebreiro in the colder months — and during the harvest season, it offers a vineyard landscape that is much quieter than the main routes.

Monterrei — Sanabrés Way

The least known denomination of the five, in the province of Ourense, with a predominance of Godello (white) and Mencía (red) grapes. It is crossed by the Sanabrés Way, one of the least traveled routes of the Camino — perfect if you seek to experience the harvest almost in solitude, away from any tourist atmosphere.

Terraced vineyards in Ribeira Sacra

What you will find as a pilgrim during this season

Whether or not you coincide with the grape harvest in person, walking the Camino in these areas in September or October has its own charm: the vineyard in its most intense color, many wineries with their doors open for visits and tastings, and towns that during these dates usually celebrate their harvest festivals, with tastings and a festive atmosphere. It is a perfect time to enjoy wine on the Camino de Santiago, an experience that few routes in the world can offer.

If you wish to experience this combination of Camino and harvest, request your personalized quote and we will help you choose the route that best fits the denomination that most appeals to you.