Long ago, the baserritarras (people who live and work on small family-run farms) would make this type of wine for local consumption. In fact, the word ‘txakoli’ comes from ‘etxeko gain’ (just for the house). In the early twentieth century, txakoli had already become deeply rooted in Basque society and culture.

The major transformation underwent by Bilbao in the last years has put Bizkaia on the world map. With its bet on art, design, architecture and gastronomy, the city has become a cultural icon. The transformation has reached wine too. With the establishment of the Designation of Origin Bizkaiko Txakolina (Txakoli from Bizkaia), the quality of txakoli has improved enormously. Nowadays, it is one of Bizkaia’s greatest ambassadors.

Txakoli makes the perfect match for shellfish and fish (e.g. cod), or for Idiazabal or cheese or Carranzana sheep milk cheese. You can drink it standing at a bar, at a wine tasting or with one or two of your favourite pintxos.

Txakoli is a very special wine, associated with Basque identity. It is special because the vineyards stand close to the seashore, and the espalier-trained vines, the slope and the altitude from the hillsides enable the grapes to soak up the sunlight and take advantage of the temperate, wet climate. Additionally, the modern winemaking processes adopted to produce txakoli use new technologies instead of more traditional methods to obtain better wines.

You will find txakoli wineries across Bizkaia, from Encartaciones (the westernmost district) to Durangaldea via Uribe, Urdaibai (Busturialdea), Arratia-Nervión and the Lea-Artibai Valley, on the border with Gipuzkoa. All the local wineries offer tastings where visitors have the chance to enjoy this wonderful wine from Bizkaia and buy a few bottles to bring back home.

How to get there

  • To learn more about the singular characteristics of our fruity, young txakoli wine, you should visit the Txakoli Museum (Txakolingunea), which stands at the entrance to Bakio, in the txakoli winegrowing region. The museum shows videos and features technologies to make your experience more interactive.

    Txakoli Museum (Txakolingunea)
    Basigoko Bide Nagusia, 3. Bakio, Bizkaia
    Phone number: +34 946 028 513
    Email address: txakolingunea@bizkaia.eus

    • Timetable

      From November to April: Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 -14:00

      May, June, September October:

      Monday to Saturday: 10:00-14:00 / 16:00-18:00.

      Sunday: 10:00-15:00

      Easter, July, August:

      Monday to Sunday: 10:00-15:00 / 16:00-19:00

      Possibility of visits for groups outside program.

    • Price

      General: 3,50 € (Guided tour + 1 txakoli).

      Discount: 2 € (Guided tour + 1 txakoli). Persons aged under 26, seniors over 60 groups of more than 10 people. Please contact for other circumstances.

      Free: Children aged under 12. Please contact for other circumstances.

      School groups: 1 € per student.

      TYPES OF VISIT

      OPTION 1: Guided tour + 2 txakoli 1 txakoli + “pintxo”.

      · Individual: 5 €

      · Groups (at least 10 people seniors over 60): 3,50 €

      OPTION 2: Guided tour + 2 txakoli + 2 “pintxo” (“Gilda” and Idiazabal cheese.

      · Individuals: 8 €

      · Groups (at least 10 people seniors over 60): 6 €

      Please contact us for custom visits

  • You can buy the white wine made in Bizkaia all year round at any of the local wineries.

  • Discover the txakoli wineries with the Bizkaiko Txakolina - Txakoli de Bizkaia Designation of Origin in each area: Encartaciones - Left Bank, Uribe, Urdaibai, Lea - Artibai, Nervión and Durangaldea.