The region of Somontano is located at the foot of the Pyrenees, in the centre of the province of Huesca. This fertile land watered by the rivers Iguala, Vero and Cinca, boasts an important historical heritage, as well as being paradise for nature and adventure enthusiats. Because of its unique geographical characteristics, extreme climate and high rainfall, vines have been cultivated in the region since 200 BC, becoming a mainstay of its rural, social and economic life.
Barbastro, the capital of the region, is the "door to the Pyrenees”, the mountain range which forms the natural border between France and Spain. This dynamic and welcoming small town is home to some of the most prestigious cellars of the DO Somontano. The local grape varieties Moristel and Parraleta, used to make fruity wines, and Cabernet-sauvignon, typical of France, with a high proportion of sugar and suitable for ageing in casks, are mainly used to produce the wines belonging to this designation of origin.
Visitors should not miss the opportunity to stroll through the streets and squares of Bobastro and visit the town’s most emblematic monuments, such as the cathedral. Dating from the 16th century, it has both Gothic and Renaissance elements, featuring three naves of the same height without a dome or transept. A few meters away from this architectural gem is the Argensola Palace, a manor house combining 16th and 17th elements whose most remarkable feature is its gallery with carved stone arches. The famous poets Lupercio Leonardo Argensola and Bartholomew Leonardo Argensola, as well as General Ricardos and Carrillo de Albornoz, were all born in the original palace.
Barbastro not only has a rich architectural heritage, but also a variety of wines to accompany the region’s many specialties: crianza red wines ideal for accompanying free-range chicken roasted in olive oil, and reserve red wines for lamb, known as in the region as ternasco. Furthermore, Somontano white wines are an excellent accompaniment to any of the local fish dishes, such as baturra, a type of cod with potatoes and boiled eggs.
After savouring a gourmet meal, visitors should pay a visit to the Wine Museum of Somontano, housed in the building known as San Julian, a converted hospital which is also the seat of the Somontano Designation of Origin and a sales outlet for the region’s wines.
The tour would not be complete without paying a visit to the Natural Park of Sierra and the Guara canyons, an ideal place for extreme sports and climbing enthusiasts. This spectacular setting is also home to one of the most unique Rupestrian cave complexes in the Iberian Peninsula, featuring all the classical styles of prehistoric European art: Palaeolithic, Levantine and Schematic.
