On this tour, you will discover the farms and workshops of local producers in the very heart of the inland Basque Country. I will take you in my private vehicle directly to a family farm run by Bernadette, Jean-Claude, and their daughter Maitena, who raise dairy sheep and carry on a unique expertise by producing and ageing cheeses in accordance with the traditions of the Ossau-Iraty PDO, made from raw milk. They raise Pied-Noir pigs from the Basque Country.
Here, you will immerse yourself in a world where the cycles of life unfold. Discover the essential links between the land, plants, animals, and humans. Take part in feeding the animals, watch the ewes being milked, observe lambing, or witness the ewes being sheared, depending on the season. At the end of the tour, you'll enjoy a tasting of the farm's products: Ossau-Iraty PDO cheese, charcuterie, cured meats, and Kintoa PDO ham. Come and explore the cheese-making workshop, observe the animals (sheep and locally bred pigs) in their natural environment, and learn about the structure and operations of the farm. Next, I offer you another lively and gourmet tour, focusing on an exceptional and unique product from the Basque Country: Espelette pepper, introduced in the 17th century. We will learn how it is grown by visiting the fields and processing facilities. I will tell you the full storey of this iconic spice, from its origins, through all the stages of PDO production, including the traditional drying process and conversion into powder, to its culinary uses. Then we will taste it in various forms. By the end of the tour, you’ll be an expert on this spice that is the talk of the world! Then, a tour you simply must experience! A tour of the chocolate that has been made in the Basque Country since the 17th century. Who hasn’t wanted to know the secrets of chocolate makers?
All food lovers and gourmets are invited to visit the chocolate factory in Espelette, share the passion of the artisan chocolatier, and experience the irresistible allure of Basque chocolate, which you will of course get to taste! Finally, I will guide you to a magical place where, for over a century, four generations of distillers have succeeded one another in the wine and spirits trade at Maison Brana. First wine merchants, then distillers, and finally winegrowers, each member of the family has always been driven by a deep passion for the land and the fruits it bears. Since its founding in 1897, Maison Brana has preserved an excellent craftsmanship passed down from generation to generation, thereby keeping alive this centuries-old heritage. True to its traditions, you’ll learn how the local brandy is made, and of course, we’ll sample it once again! It will be an epic day, and your taste buds will definitely be in for a treat!