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Rincón de Soto
«Rincón de Soto produce excelentes peras con denominación de origen.»Rincón de Soto produces excellent pears with a designation of origin.
Rincón de Soto is located on the Ebro plain, in the far east of La Rioja, on the border with Navarre. Its economy is based on fruit: the pear that bears the town's name was the first in Spain to obtain a designation of origin in 2001, and orchards cover the surrounding plain.
Did you know
The only Spanish DOP pears.
The pears grown in this municipality enjoy the prestigious European DOP 'Pera de Rincón de Soto' label thanks to the valley's unique microclimate.
How they talk in Rincón de Soto
«Pera de Rincón» is a commercial and everyday expression strongly linked to the town. «Ribera» here indicates a true system of irrigated orchards along the Ebro.
golmajería
Confectionery, sweets, or a collection of treats. Used to talk about sweets and pastry preparations from the Riojan tradition.
Everyday life in Rincón de Soto
The «conferencia» pear with the designation
The pears of Rincón de Soto are the only ones in Spain with a protected designation of origin: they are harvested in August and September, and in town people talk about sizes and sugar levels.
«Estas peras tienen denominación de origen.» — These pears have a designation of origin.
The «centrales hortofrutícolas» at night
The fruit and vegetable centres sort and pack during the cool hours, and the lorries leave at dawn: the noise of the forklifts is part of the summer.
The Ebro and the «sotos» around it
The river marks the boundary of the municipality and leaves flooded woods and ponds: there are paths with hides for birdwatching, and people go there to walk on Sundays.
What to eat in Rincón de Soto
Chuletillas al sarmiento
Lamb chops grilled over vine shoots.
Patatas a la riojana
Potatoes broken by hand with chorizo and dried pepper.
Peras al vino de Rioja
Pears cooked in red wine with sugar and cinnamon: here the pears are those from the town.
Festivals in Rincón de Soto
Virgen de Carravieso
early August
Encierros and peñas with handkerchiefs, in the month when the orchards begin to yield pears.
What to see in Rincón de Soto
Los perales
The pear orchards along the Ebro, with the designation of origin that bears the name of the town.
Iglesia de la Asunción
The town church, with its brick tower and Baroque retablo.
Sotos del Ebro
The woodland along the river, with poplars and water birds.
Where Rincón de Soto comes from
The town of pears
12th century
The village
It was born in the Ebro plain, in an area of vegetable gardens and orchards.
18th–19th century
The fruit
The orchards spread along the river: pears, peaches and apples.
2001
The designation
The Rincón de Soto pear obtains the designation of origin, the first in Spain for a pear.
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