Hailed as one of the biggest events in the local Fiestas calendar, Manilva’s Vendimia (wine Festival) takes place this weekend. The Vendimia celebrates the annual grape harvest and is always celebrated on the first weekend of September. You have to experience it at least once….it’s one hell of a party!!!
Here’s the timetable for this weekend
Saturday September 6th
As with all fiestas the day begins at 8am with several rockets going off and waking everyone up!!! At 7pm there is a Holy Mass in Manilva’s beautiful church after which the Virgin will be carried through the streets accompanied by the Manilva Town Band to the new Plaza de la Vendimia, where she will receive an offering of grapes. After this, the winners of the best bunch of grapes will be announced and presented with their prizes.
The evening’s entertainment kicks off at 10pm with live music and dancing with the groups Kalima y Latidos. (as well as plenty if eating and drinking)!!!. There is also a huge disco for the younger partygoers which will go on until very late….
Sunday September 7th
Sunday is the big day but is slightly more tranquil than Saturday night. The party starts at 1 pm with live music from the bands Latidos y Sotano Sur. Nearly all of the bars on Calle Mar spill out onto the streets and there will be plenty of opportunity to sample the local wine.
At 5 pm the local riding club will parade along Calle Mar in traditional costume – always good to watch.
At 7 pm there will be the ceremonial first treading of the grapes, in the specially built wine press in the Plaza. The party then continues into the early hours of the morning, although, to be honest, everyone is too “partied out” from Saturday to go on too late on the Sunday!!!
Monday September 8 is a public holiday in Manilva – we need it recover!!