In November, La Palma smells of woodfire, damp earth and freshly made wine. The Saint Martin’s Festival arrives, one of the island’s most beloved traditions. It’s the time to taste the first wine of the year, roast chestnuts and celebrate autumn in the calm rhythm of rural life.
What is the Saint Martin’s Festival?
Saint Martin marks the end of the grape harvest and the beginning of new wine. On November weekends, villages across La Palma fill their squares with music, laughter and aromas. Locals gather to “swear the barrel,” an old custom celebrating the first wine of the season, shared with roasted chestnuts, cheese, gofio and good humour.
In every municipality, local markets turn into small gastronomic fairs with traditional music, island products and wine glasses that are never empty.
Origin and History
The celebration of Saint Martin has its roots in the agricultural and wine-making traditions of the island. It arrived in La Palma centuries ago and was adopted by local winemakers as the day to taste the year’s first wine, coinciding with the feast of Saint Martin of Tours on November 11.
Over time, this homegrown tradition became a popular celebration. Today, in many houses, wineries and village squares, the custom of opening the first barrel and sharing it with friends and neighbours remains alive.
The Wine of La Palma and the Chestnuts of Las Breñas
The star of these days is the D.O.P. La Palma wine. Its flavour reflects the volcanic essence of the island, with unique varieties grown between the sea and the mountains. Tasting the new wine during Saint Martin’s is to savour a year’s work, the fruit of the vines that cover the midlands of Garafía, Tijarafe and Fuencaliente.
Chestnuts, inseparable from this festival, mainly come from the humid highlands of Las Breñas. Here the chestnut trees grow strong under mist and gentle autumn rain. Their roasted aroma blends with the young wine and the cool air, creating one of the most authentic sensations of the season.
What to Do in La Palma during Saint Martin’s
- Taste new wine in wineries and rural markets.
- Enjoy roasted chestnuts, Palmeran cheese and traditional sweets.
- Listen to local music and take part in cheerful gatherings in squares and courtyards.
- Visit gastronomic fairs with local products like honey, mojo sauces, fruits and wine.
- Toast with friends and family in a warm, joyful atmosphere.
Why Experience Saint Martin in La Palma
Because it’s a celebration that smells like home and countryside. It’s a chance to discover the rural heart of the island, its flavours and its people. In every glass of wine and every chestnut shared, there’s history, effort and joy.
