Ever since arriving in San Sebastian, one thing I noticed is how common it is to see people drinking wine throughout the day. Whether people are enjoying a meal, sitting outside at a bar, cafe, or spending time with friends and family, wine seemed to be a normal part of everyday life. Coming from somewhere where I do not really see that, it was interesting to observe how deeply connected wine is to the culture here.
One of the highlights of the week was our visit to Talai Berri Winery. Going into the experience, I was excited because it was something completely different from what I would normally do. I am not really a wine drinker, and honestly it has never really brought an interest to me. However, I knew there would be non-alcoholic options, which made me more open to the experience. I was excited to learn more about the winery and seeing how the production is.
Alongside our Professor, Julian and our guide, we learned about the history behind Talai Berri and how the winery came to be. What started as a small family farm slowly grew over time into the winery it is today. It originally began with a family working the land and cultivating grapes, and over time it developed into a more established winery as their production grew. Even though it has expanded, it still maintains a strong connection to its family roots and agricultural tradition.
An interesting part of the visit was walking through the actual production area of the winery. The guide walked us into a room where the win travels through long connected tubes that run between the different rooms, moving through each stage of production. Right after, we steped into a very chilly room where large stainless steel tanks were, showing where the wine was processed and fermented. It was interesting to see everything close up, firsthand rather than just hearing about it. The tanks played a role in controlling the fermentation process, and how carefully everything has to be monitored to make sure the wine develops correctly. Seeing the scale of the equipment made me realize how technical and precise wine making actually is.
Before the tasting started, we stepped out onto a rooftop balcony that overlooked a beauty of a landscape of the vineyards. We could see rows of grapevines stretching across the hills, and Professor Julian explained how they are planted according to the slope of the land. This helps with rainwater runoff because the water will naturally flow downhill instead of collecting in one area.
The view itself made the experience even more memorable. Not only could we see the vineyards, but we could also see the surrounding countryside with mountains and even people paragliding in the distance, which looked super fun. It was one of those moments where I just stopped and appreciated how beautiful it everything around us was.
After taking in the views, we gathered around a table with several different wines. Some students sampled the regular wines, which included both lighter and darker varieties, while others, including myself, tried the non-alcoholic option. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It tasted really refreshing and incredibly fresh, almost like it had just been made. It honestly put me in a better mood, and I was glad that I had not pushed aside the experience simply because I don’t normally drink wine. Other students who tried the regular wines seemed to enjoy them as well, as they were refilling their glasses.
Along with the wine tasting, we were also able to sample two different types of vinegar produced by the winery. We paired them with pieces of bread, which made for a simple, enjoyable snack. I had never really thought much about vinegar before or would normally snack with it, but it actually tasted very nice. It was interesting to learn that the winery produced more than just wine.
Overall, I am really glad that I kept an open mind and embraced the experience. Visiting a winery is not something I would normally choose to do, but it was a very fun experience. It reminded me that studying abroad is not just about visiting new places, but also stepping outside of your comfort zone and experiencing different cultures with an open mind. Sometimes the experiences you least expect turn out to be the most memorable.
After leaving the winery, we stopped that a small restaurant that overlooked the land and ocean. Although we did not order anything, the view alone made the stop worth it. Seeing the ocean, and the beautiful landscape all together was the perfect way to end of the day.