Txakoli de Getaria: past, present and future
For many years now, wine and its vines have been protected in some way. Around 1397 the first Ordinances of the province of Gipuzkoa were approved, explaining that the destruction of the vineyards was punishable by death.
Years went by and, despite the fact that a large number of men were dedicated to looking after the vineyards, the great majority of them gradually disappeared until, in the 19th century, they were only kept in small geographical areas.
However, at the end of the 19th century the great crisis of the Txakoli vineyard took place due to the abolition of the laws that protected these vineyards, the entry of foreigners and the successive plagues and diseases that appeared.
But, all these problems did not manage to make this variety of grape disappear and in the 20th century, the few remaining vineyards were managed by winegrowers who, together, began with the renovation of the sector. And, after all the effort, in 1989 the Txakoli Denomination of Origin was achieved.
In 2014 the 25th anniversary was celebrated at the Balenciaga Museum in Getaria. A date on which we had to remember all the work that was needed to raise those vineyards that were almost gone.
Nowadays, this Txakoli is in a good moment and everything produced is sold during the year. Besides, changes in habits have increased the consumption of Txakoli.
At an international level, the United States is the largest importer of Txakoli with Denomination of Origin. Although it is becoming more and more common to see it in many other countries and with the passing of time, it will surely become a highly respected wine with a great name.