Traditional Cider House Tour | Calonge, San Sebastián

Calonge is a family-run sagardotegia with nearly 90 years of history, now carried on by the fourth generation. Since around 1940, the family has continued making natural Basque cider while preserving traditional methods and gradually introducing modern equipment to improve quality and consistency.

During the visit, you can explore the production area, where old and new techniques stand side by side. The cider house still keeps its historic apple press, while today’s production uses a newer press and bottling system. Inside the cellar, you’ll find ten 10,000-liter barrels and several 5,000-liter tanks. The old wooden barrels have been lined with stainless steel, making them easier to clean and allowing better temperature and quality control. Calonge also reuses bottles returned from restaurants and customers, washing them with a large bottle-cleaning machine before refilling.

Calonge produces around 80,000 liters of cider each year, mainly with a small team of three people. Instead of using apples from its own orchards, the cider house works with growers from Igeldo, Usurbil, Galicia, France, and other regions, blending apples with different levels of acidity, body, sweetness, and bitterness to create balance.

Their focus is simple: one natural cider, carefully crafted. Each barrel develops its own character, so before bottling, the team tastes and analyzes the cider to decide the right blend and timing.

• Guided visit in the Basque cider-making process from apple selection to bottling

• Visit both historic and modern cider-making equipment

• Taste cider from different barrels while learning how flavors evolve

• Option to enjoy a traditional Basque meal after the tour

• Guided cider house tour 

• Barrel tasting experience

• Access to the cider production facilities

• Reservation for the cider house restaurant
• Transportation to the cider house

• Traditional Basque meal

• Food and beverages ordered at the restaurant

• Additional private experiences (if requested)

After the guided tour, you may continue your experience with lunch or dinner at Calonge's restaurant.

Meals are paid directly at the restaurant by the guest.

• Basque-style cod omelet

• Fried cod with peppers

• Grilled T-bone steak (Txuleton)

• Local cheese with quince jelly and walnuts

• Fresh bread

• Unlimited Basque cider

Meal price: Approximately €45–48 per person (payable on-site)

Menu and pricing may vary depending on seasonal ingredients.

• Guided tours are available throughout the year.

• During September, there may be a short period when the barrels are empty before the new cider season begins.

• During the apple harvest season (around October), special seasonal experiences such as tasting fresh apple juice, seeing the pressing process, and learning about cider production may be available.

• Once we receive your booking request, we will coordinate with you and the cider house to arrange the tour date and time. We appreciate your patience and will contact you as soon as your reservation is confirmed.

・“Visiting two days in a row, I loved the prime quality ingredients and simple cooking at this traditional Basque restaurant. The grilled monkfish was superb, and I appreciated having the option to add side dishes to enhance the meal.”

・“We chose this spot for lunch based on a local’s recommendation, and we were thrilled with the delicious food. It was refreshing to be away from the typical tourist spots. The cider was delightful, prompting us to buy a few bottles to take home. A very satisfying lunch.”

・“This place has a surprisingly large, modern atmosphere that we nearly missed. The staff was very helpful, and the food was quite good. I especially enjoyed the local white wine, which added to the pleasant dining experience.”

・“Don’t be discouraged by the exterior; it’s a unique cider restaurant with a fascinating production area to explore. The ocean view dining room is beautifully divided, creating a cozy ambiance. It’s a fantastic place to enjoy traditional cuisine.”

・“The views from this family-owned cider house are truly breathtaking. Although the food might not have been the highlight for some, the experience was memorable, especially with a tour of the cider cellars. The engagement with our host was a nice touch that added to the overall charm.”

3m (0.00mi) from Igeldo Town - about a 1-minute walk 

644m (0.40mi) from Igeldo Herria - about a 10-minute walk 

 Padre Orkolaga Ibilbidea, 8, 20008 Donostia / San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, Spain 

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