- Time of past OR future Camino
- camino Frances 5/2022
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You are confusing the Compostela with the Credential (aka pilgrim passport). Ivar offers the Credential in his shop.Also is the free compestella that you get from the guides on Ivar’s website valid? I just read there are also 2 types and I would not be doing the walk for religious reasons.
I could stay there for days. Thank you, Camino! Always providing.God knows I’d not picky about my drink, but if I were in charge of refilling a fountain for all and sundry to access it wouldn’t be the premier cru which I poured in. Add to that the oxidisation which even the most basic wine suffers when decanted, the recycling past previous unknown consumers et al and you should approach the fountain with a degree of trepidation. I’ve only ever regarded the experience as a photo opportunity and little more.
I was lucky enough to be able to sample in October 2020, but the fact that it was a hot day and I was near the beginning of my day's walk prevented any inclination to over imbibe. What a wonderful gesture though (and great publicity opportunity) for the wine company.I could stay there for days. Thank you, Camino! Always providing.
Fantastic! This is literally the only detail of my planned trip that interests my work colleagues!I forgot to say! There's actually a live webcam there as well so you can have a look and see if it is indeed being used. Or even tell your friends/family when you'll be there and wave! The website is here: https://www.irache.com/es/enoturismo/fuente-del-vino.html
I was there in late November - I brushed my teeth at the wine fountain. Long story. I'm not a big fan of their wine, but the water is fantastic.Hi I am starting my Camino Frances from Pamploma April 7!!! I am wondering if the wine fountain is still open with COVID restrictions.
Also is the free compestella that you get from the guides on Ivar’s website valid? I just read there are also 2 types and I would not be doing the walk for religious reasons.
I’m a little nervous about walking in Easter time too- hope I don’t get stuck without a place to stay. I should be around hontanas that Monday. Appreciate any advice!!
I was lucky enough to be able to sample in October 2020, but the fact that it was a hot day and I was near the beginning of my day's walk prevented any inclination to over imbibe. What a wonderful gesture though (and great publicity opportunity) for the wine company.
I, too, enjoyed the wine fountain. I checked my photos and see I was there around 9:30 am on Oct 26 last year. Might I have rubbed elbows with either of you two? The wine fountain is one of the many wonderful sights along the Camino. Kudos to the winery for continuing the fountain despite the costs incurred. It's incumbent on all pilgrims to show restraint and respect when enjoying the wine fountain and every other site they encounter. It was such a pleasure and honor to walk in the footsteps of the millions of pilgrims who preceded me over the centuries. I hope to walk it again one day and pray that places such as the wine fountain continue to exist.Somewhere I read the proper etiquette at this fountain is to remove your shell from your pack and take a (small) drink with that. I rinsed off the dust first with the water spigot. (Glad nobody was washing their teeth at the time.) That was plenty of wine for me before 9 am last October. Delicioso. Muchas gracias, Irache Winery. Buen Camino
Here is a link to their webcam. You can text your friends at home while you are there and they can watch you have a sip!!Hi I am starting my Camino Frances from Pamploma April 7!!! I am wondering if the wine fountain is still open with COVID restrictions.
Also is the free compestella that you get from the guides on Ivar’s website valid? I just read there are also 2 types and I would not be doing the walk for religious reasons.
I’m a little nervous about walking in Easter time too- hope I don’t get stuck without a place to stay. I should be around hontanas that Monday. Appreciate any advice!!
thanks for sharing the link - thats awesome!I forgot to say! There's actually a live webcam there as well so you can have a look and see if it is indeed being used. Or even tell your friends/family when you'll be there and wave! The website is here: https://www.irache.com/es/enoturismo/fuente-del-vino.html
God knows I’d not picky about my drink, but if I were in charge of refilling a fountain for all and sundry to access it wouldn’t be the premier cru which I poured in. Add to that the oxidisation which even the most basic wine suffers when decanted, the recycling past previous unknown consumers et al and you should approach the fountain with a degree of trepidation. I’ve only ever regarded the experience as a photo opportunity and little mor
The older custom was that pilgrims received their shell in Santiago to mark the end of their journey. So newbies walking without shells would have to pass by leaving the wine for repeat offenders. Sounds like a fine rule to meSomewhere I read the proper etiquette at this fountain is to remove your shell from your pack and take a (small) drink with that.
Hi Bob I was there 10th October, but 2020. Hope to make it again this year, this time with my 15 year old grandson.I, too, enjoyed the wine fountain. I checked my photos and see I was there around 9:30 am on Oct 26 last year. Might I have rubbed elbows with either of you two? The wine fountain is one of the many wonderful sights along the Camino. Kudos to the winery for continuing the fountain despite the costs incurred. It's incumbent on all pilgrims to show restraint and respect when enjoying the wine fountain and every other site they encounter. It was such a pleasure and honor to walk in the footsteps of the millions of pilgrims who preceded me over the centuries. I hope to walk it again one day and pray that places such as the wine fountain continue to exist.
Buen Camino,
Bob91
When I went past in 2017, quite early in the morning, the fountain was not dispensing. When we had a communal meal in Najera I was in charge of wine buying and bought a bottle of the appropriate wine to see what I had missed. The answer was nothing - it was a very thin sour drop. Take the photo and move on there are a lot more enjoyable wines out there.Hi I am starting my Camino Frances from Pamploma April 7!!! I am wondering if the wine fountain is still open with COVID restrictions.
Also is the free compestella that you get from the guides on Ivar’s website valid? I just read there are also 2 types and I would not be doing the walk for religious reasons.
I’m a little nervous about walking in Easter time too- hope I don’t get stuck without a place to stay. I should be around hontanas that Monday. Appreciate any advice!!
As for the wine, only a limited amount is available each day, it's not endless.
For that reason I was disappointed to see people filling their water bottles with the wine.
Then again, perhaps they did think it was bottomless and pilgrims arriving later in the day would benefit too.
Same here. One time when I was there, the fountain was shut, due to a person trying to fill up a 1.5 litre bottle. VERY disrespectful on the "pilgrim's" hand...I passed by very early in the morning and took a token sip. Like you I was annoyed to see people filling water bottles, treating the offering to pilgrims like complimentary bar.
Indeed. Speaks volumes of the disrespectful "pilgrim", or "vinogrino" as better said. Simply disgusting, IMHO. And I am a lover of Spanish wine.Given you can buy bottles of wine for 2€-4€ most anywhere as well as have a bottle to yourself as part of a pilgrim’s meal, I’m amazed that folks still want to take away from the experience of the next pilgrim by filling bottles at this site.
Happened also in one my CF. There was a young man from Granada, who had spotless and dustless hiking shoes after days of heavy walking. Either did they not seem to be worn out at all. During the whole time I met with him, In saw him only once 'on the road', when he was following a Canadian girl trying to get her to lend him some money.Same here. One time when I was there, the fountain was shut, due to a person trying to fill up a 1.5 litre bottle. VERY disrespectful on the "pilgrim's" hand...
In the late summer/early fall of 2019, I only spent about 3 weeks in August/September reading up and studying about the Camino Frances before buying my return ticket (non-refundable airline ticket) from Vancouver to Madrid on the Orbitz search engine site. I knew that if I didn't act fast, I'd have to wait another full year to do my Camino otherwise. So, I threw the dice and went for it. They say those who fail to plan, plan to fail. But I've always been a minimalist when it comes to planning. I got the salient details and facts, and then made up my mind to: "Just do it", as those Nike advertisements say. Of course, these days with Covid-19, it's a little more complicated, but in my home country of Canada, I see postings on the Canadian Company of Pilgrims website blogs from folks who have recently hiked the El Camino by just basically making up their minds to just "go for it". Anyways, back to the main subject. In 2019, after I read about this free wine fountain (Fuentes del Vino), in the Brierley book (p.86), I made it a must see stop on my planning for my Camino France's Pilgrimage. When I did my Camino in the fall and of 2019, it was a beautiful clear sunny day when I arrived at Bodegas Irache, (where the free wine tap is), and I only had to wait a few minutes while another pilgrim ahead of me drew himself a cup of wine from the free wine spigot. I myself filled up two 500ml empty plastic water bottles from this free source of rich red wine made from local Concord grapes. My Camino took me all the way from St. Jean Pied de Port (via Route Napoleon over the Pyranees) to Santiago de Compostela and onwards to Finesterra and Muxia. I always opted for the green routes on my Camino and soon after getting my free wine from the Fuentes del Vino I carried on my way (my Camino) via the green route into the nearby forested mountains with their fabulous views of the plains down below them. And soon after heading out I stopped at a promontory and sat down and made a lunch from the bread/biguette and cheese in my rucksack and poured myself a cup of my free wine. I pretty much had that green route trail all to myself. The two 500ml plastic bottles of free wine lasted me for my lunchtime beverage for about another three weeks on my six weeks Camino. I joined the Canadian Company of Pilgrims before departing Canada and formally registered as a Pilgrim in St. Jean Pied de Port. I was traveling on a shoestring, kind of in the tradition of the Pilgrims of yesteryear. So, the free wine kind of honored that tradition. I would highly recommend stopping at the Fuentes del Vino to all my fellow Pilgrims. P.S. Wine made from Concord grapes is rich in antioxidants. Happy trails and Happy Camino everyone. Stay safe.God knows I’d not picky about my drink, but if I were in charge of refilling a fountain for all and sundry to access it wouldn’t be the premier cru which I poured in. Add to that the oxidisation which even the most basic wine suffers when decanted, the recycling past previous unknown consumers et al and you should approach the fountain with a degree of trepidation. I’ve only ever regarded the experience as a photo opportunity and little more.
Perhaps that is why when I was there in 2014 it was 1 euro for a chance and the spigot timed out after an ounce… which was plenty for the novelty of the idea… and more than I needed of what was very bad wine. As @henrythedog notes upthread…. The conditions for the wine that comes out of the spigot are *less than ideal*. I do not see it as a reflection on the winery itself that what comes from the spigot is thin and sour… But I cannot *imagine* incurring the cost, nor wanting to drink more than a thimble of it for the sake of the novelty.I passed by very early in the morning and took a token sip. Like you I was annoyed to see people filling water bottles, treating the offering to pilgrims like complimentary bar.
Umm, I wouldn't be bragging about that.I myself filled up two 500ml empty plastic water bottles from this free source of rich red wine made from local Concord grapes.
On one of the boards to the left of the gate, it is translated into English: You are invited to take "a swig of wine", ie not much more than a sip, enough for a toast to celebrate.Pilgrims are invited to un trago de vino for a toast. If you want to take wine with you, you are asked to buy it.
I have passed by the “wine fountain” 3 times. 2008, 2009, 2014. I only stopped the first time. The second time there was a large group of youthful pilgrims filling various water bottles and mouthing the tap. When I saw that I moved on and the third time I passed it by without stopping at all. It is a very nice gesture by the winery but the abuse of the privilege has spoiled the experience for me.Hi I am starting my Camino Frances from Pamploma April 7!!! I am wondering if the wine fountain is still open with COVID restrictions.
Also is the free compestella that you get from the guides on Ivar’s website valid? I just read there are also 2 types and I would not be doing the walk for religious reasons.
I’m a little nervous about walking in Easter time too- hope I don’t get stuck without a place to stay. I should be around hontanas that Monday. Appreciate any advice!!
I agree. An abuse of privilege for sureUmm, I wouldn't be bragging about that.
Oops, sorry that was a typo, they were actually 250 ml cups. But no worries, it wasn't intended as a brag. On the day when I was there it was okay to have more than one cup and a number of fellow Pilgrims who were there when I was there had a couple of cups as well.Umm, I wouldn't be bragging about that.
Really?I was there in late November - I brushed my teeth at the wine fountain. Long story. I'm not a big fan of their wine, but the water is fantastic.
Hope it is open. Enjoy it. I didn't think the wine was too bad tbh! Nice to have a 'glass' for breakfast - will give you a bit of pep over the next couple of kms !Hi I am starting my Camino Frances from Pamploma April 7!!! I am wondering if the wine fountain is still open with COVID restrictions.
Also is the free compestella that you get from the guides on Ivar’s website valid? I just read there are also 2 types and I would not be doing the walk for religious reasons.
I’m a little nervous about walking in Easter time too- hope I don’t get stuck without a place to stay. I should be around hontanas that Monday. Appreciate any advice!!
Same here, as I arrived, a grinning Italian pilgrim presented his one litre cola bottle full of Irache wine, and none for the rest of us.... spoilt that treat good...Same here. One time when I was there, the fountain was shut, due to a person trying to fill up a 1.5 litre bottle. VERY disrespectful on the "pilgrim's" hand...
The Wine Fountain is indeed a popular stop. But just like the Camino, there are surprises. In August 2016 we walked up the hill to the monastery and fountain and arrived about 7:30 a.m on a Saturday, with a few other Peregrinos. After waiting until almost 9:00 a.m. we left, making our walk very hot. We found out later it didn’t open that day. A photo op and a drop of wine. But all was not lost, as the wonderful iron worker and his outdoor workshop and sales, uphill before the fountain were worth the walk for the little iron shell to remember the Camino. Hoping he’s still working and open. And maybe you can check to see if and when the fountain is operating. Buen Camino.Hi I am starting my Camino Frances from Pamploma April 7!!! I am wondering if the wine fountain is still open with COVID restrictions.
Also is the free compestella that you get from the guides on Ivar’s website valid? I just read there are also 2 types and I would not be doing the walk for religious reasons.
I’m a little nervous about walking in Easter time too- hope I don’t get stuck without a place to stay. I should be around hontanas that Monday. Appreciate any advice!!
I promise: you missed nothing but warm vinegar.Same here, as I arrived, a grinning Italian pilgrim presented his one litre cola bottle full of Irache wine, and none for the rest of us.... spoilt that treat good...
To be clear and add to the discussion, the gates were opened and I even managed to get a drop from the previous day’s wine. The wine was not filled that day. But it was worth the try. I’m not a wine drinker so, mostly I was just disappointed that we waited. But, as we say, Ultreia.Check if the gate is open here:
Wow….just….wow. What an insult to the hard work of the laborers who produced the wine, the generosity of the winery, the needs of pilgrims, and on and on.watching a lady open the tap and stand there letting it flow down the drain so she could have her photo taken!
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