La Rioja grape harvest drives tourism and cosmetic innovation

The grape harvest season in La Rioja, Spain, is driving both tourism and industrial innovation. Traditional celebrations, such as the XXVI Fiesta de la Vendimia de Rioja Alavesa in Leza and the San Mateo festival in Logroño, offer cultural experiences including grape treading and tastings of the first must.

Local wineries are capitalizing on the season through enotourism. Establishments like Vivanco and Bodegas Amézola de la Mora provide various activities, ranging from grape picking to specialized tasting courses, aimed at travelers looking for regional escapes.

Beyond tourism, the harvest is fueling the cosmetics sector. Companies like Haro-based Uvas Frescas are utilizing grape-derived active ingredients, such as resveratrol and grape seed oil, to develop skincare products like illuminating serums and anti-aging creams. These products leverage the antioxidant properties of the fruit to address skin aging and hydration, linking the region's agricultural identity to the beauty industry.