In the 14th century, in the first Ordinances of the Province drawn up after the General Assembly of the Brotherhood of Gipuzkoa, we can find a mention of vine cultivation, threatening “anyone who destroys vineyards with the death penalty”. Everything suggests that the coast of Gipuzkoa was dominated by large vineyards that could also be seen in inland areas albeit in smaller quantities.

In the 19th century, the txakoli-growing area of Gipuzkoa extended from the Oria estuary. The txakoli vineyards were spread over Zarautz, Getaria, Zumaia, Deba, and Mutriku, with an approximate production of some 400,000 litres of txakoli and 250 hectares of vineyards.

At the end of the 20th century, a process of revitalisation of txakoli vineyards began, culminating in the recognition of the Getariako Txakolina designation of origin in 1989. At that time, some52 hectares of vineyards remained in the coastal area, divided between Zarautz, Aia, and Getaria. In 1990, the first vintage with the Getariako Txakolina D.O. seal was presented.

In 2007, the Getariako Txakolina Denomination of Origin was extended to the entire historical territory of Gipuzkoa At present, the Hondarrabi vineyards cover 327 hectares that produce txakoli for 18 Getariako Txakolina wineries.

From then until the 2023 harvest, other wineries have joined the designation of origin. As a result, there are 34 wineries that produce Getariako Txakolina, from 458 hectares of vineyards.

From its headquarters in Getaria, the Regulatory Council of the Designation of Origin ensures that the origin of the native grapes, Hondarrabi Zuri and Hondarrabi Beltza, and their careful production and quality control, are combined to offer the consumer the guarantee of Getariako Txakolina.

Txakoli with the Getariako Txakolina D.O is distinguished by the numbered seal that is placed on the top of the bottle above the capsule.

The area with Hondarrabi Zuri and Hondarrabi Beltza vines, the autochthonous variety used to make our traditional Txakoli de Getaria, covers 458 hectares in total. They are distributed throughout the territory of Gipuzkoa, between Getaria (45%), Aia (15%), Zarautz (12%), Zumaia (4.5%), Oñati (3.5%), and Hondarribi (3.5%).

The rest of the territories account for the remaining 16.5%, which is divided between: Aizarnazabal, Alkiza, Arrasate, Azpeitia, Beizama, Deba, Donostia, Hernialde, Mutriku, Oiartzun, Olaberria, Orio, Urnieta, Usurbil, Villabona, Zerain, and Zestoa.

The main market for Getaria txakoli is Gipuzkoa and the Basque Country, accounting for 70% of the total. 10% of production is mainly concentrated in Madrid and Barcelona and the remaining 20% is exported.

Evolution of exports in the last 15 years

“Txakoli with the Getariako Txakolina designation of origin, due to its quality and authenticity, is positioning itself in the international market as a special product, in the gourmet category”.