Fiesta del Orujo

Orujo has been distilled in the mountain valleys of Liébana for generations, using the leftover grape skins, stems and seeds (the pomace) from local winemaking — a way of wasting nothing from the harvest in a region where growing conditions never rivalled the great wine regions further south. What began as a rural household tradition, distilled in small copper stills passed down through families, grew into a defined local industry and eventually a public festival celebrating it. The Fiesta del Orujo was declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest in 2012, formal recognition of a tradition that had already defined Potes' identity for far longer.

The festival opens with a parade of folk groups and floats through Potes' narrow streets, followed by a weekend built around orujo in every form: straight tastings, orujo-based cocktails prepared with acrobatic flair, and cooking demonstrations incorporating it into local dishes. Craft stalls sell regional produce alongside the drink itself, and the mountain backdrop of the Picos de Europa gives the whole event a setting few other Spanish food festivals can match. Expect a genuinely local crowd — this is a regional celebration more than an international tourist draw, despite its national recognition.

Potes has no airport of its own; the nearest is Santander (Seve Ballesteros), around 1.5 hours away by road. There is no train service to Potes — a car or regional bus from Santander is the practical way in, and a car is genuinely useful for exploring the surrounding Picos de Europa once there.

November in the Liébana valley is cold, especially in the evenings — pack warm layers regardless of how mild the Cantabrian coast might be. Book accommodation ahead, as Potes is a small town with limited hotel capacity and the festival is well known regionally. Pace yourself with tastings; orujo is significantly stronger than wine.