The disappearing village and the winery

 It is another day of appreciating how a dirt track can go along the side of a gleaming newish motorway.  We will eventually come to a church.  Given it above a few farm buildings which have a named road, Calle Conde de Rodzno, I presume it is a village that dwindled into a hamlet and then became a place the N-232 went by.  The church is dedicated to St Martin.  Nicolas reported, four years ago, ‘This 16th century church, located at the top of the hill in Cuzcurritilla, is a beautiful small church, which despite being disused and abandoned, still stands. Accessing it is somewhat complicated, although there is a path, there are quite a few bushes.’






Dipping under the motorway we follow a track that seems to disappear - those were the heroic days of the Street View pioneers, and sneak up the back way into Ollauri.  It is a name with a Basque origin. It has generally mumbled along.  It was one of the towns supporting the Royal Economic Society of La Rioja' in the 18th Century, an Enlightenment project.  In 1857 nearly 1000 people lived here.  Since 1980 is has been a steady 300.  It has returned Socialist mayors since democracy was returned.  https://www.ollauri.es/ 










I confess we are two days later.  Saint Eulalia is the towns patron and her day was on the 10th.    The ceremonies connected with the day are such as these.   On the first day the festivities begin with fireworks, dancing at the shrine and a tasting of chestnuts roasted on the bonfire.



Day two sees the visit of the president, Ollauri celebrates the traditional mass and procession in honour of the patron saint. The town square the hosts drinks and in the afternoon there was hot chocolate and fireworks.  The festivities ends with the traditional day of lunches



We will then end up at the Bodegas Concejo de Ollauri.  https://www.bodegasconcejodeollauri.com/  The website is nice.   Seven years ago Alberto wrote ‘Cozy winery located in Ollauri, exquisite and very professional treatment, not to mention the wines, each with different essences that make them special. I will definitely return on my next visit to La Rioja.’  Let us linger here abouts and take the air.














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