Success of the second edition of GastroGarnacha

The initiative, organized by Horeca Restaurants and Cafes and Bars, has become the gastronomic extension of the Festival of the Garnacha

GastroGarnacha has closed its second edition with a very positive outcome participation and confirmation that the initiative has already become a fixture in Zaragoza's gastronomic scene. Organized by Horeca Restaurants Zaragoza and province and the Professional Association of Cafe, Bar and Similar Business Owners of Zaragoza and province, The proposal has brought together almost 30 establishments of Zaragoza around the garnacha, the Food from Aragon and the ability of the hospitality industry to transform local products into experiences.

The initiative, which ran until Sunday, June 7, was part of the International Garnacha Fair, which has welcomed 70,000 people throughout the weekend in Macanaz Park. That atmosphere has also spread to Bars and restaurants, which have offered tapas with a glass of garnacha wine and paired menus, expanding the reach of the fair beyond its main venue and distributing the activity across different areas of the city and province.

Horeca particularly values GastroGarnacha's effectiveness as a catalyst for participating establishments and, at the same time, as an accessible way to introduce Aragonese wines to new audiences. The response from locals, visitors, and tourists has confirmed the interest in offerings that combine gastronomy, wine, locally sourced products, and urban experiences.

The president of Horeca Restaurants Zaragoza and province, José María Lasheras, has highlighted that this second edition “has shown that Zaragoza has the capacity to build a solid gastronomic offering around Garnacha wine and Aragonese products.”In his opinion, “the hospitality industry not only serves wine and food from Aragon, it also interprets them, recommends them and turns them into an experience for the customer.”.

Lasheras also pointed out that the results “encourage us to continue working with even greater ambition next year.” “GastroGarnacha has Room for growth, to incorporate new proposals and to further strengthen the connection between restaurants, wineries, producers and destination. ”Garnacha is a hallmark of Aragon and the hospitality industry must be at the forefront to promote it,” he stated.

The participating establishments offered menus or tapas paired with Garnacha wines. Above, a tapa from Far Niente.

For his part, the president of the Association of Cafes and Bars, José María Marteles, He emphasized the role of bars as natural spaces for meeting and promoting gastronomy.“A tapa and a glass of garnacha wine are a simple, popular and effective way to discover our wines. "We have seen it these days: people have participated, asked questions, tried things out and visited establishments," he said.

Marteles emphasized that GastroGarnacha “fits perfectly with the way the hospitality industry is experienced in Zaragoza: close-knit, collaborative, and deeply connected to the local area.” In his opinion, “the success of this edition confirms that there is an audience, there is product, and there are establishments with the capacity to grow this initiative. Now it’s time to thoroughly analyze the results, listen to the participants, and prepare a stronger, more coordinated, and longer-lasting next edition,” he added.

Wine tourism and gastronomy

GastroGarnacha has had the support of Zaragoza City Council and Zaragoza Tourism, and is part of a promotional strategy for Wine tourism and gastronomy as drivers of tourist attraction, economic activity and city projection. The initiative reinforces the role of the hospitality sector as a strategic ally in promoting the region and helps consolidate Zaragoza as a gastronomic and wine tourism destination.

For Horeca Restaurants and Cafes and Bars, the results of this edition confirm that collaboration between institutions, hospitality, wineries and producers allows for the creation of initiatives with a direct impact on the city, on establishments and on the image of Aragon as a territory linked to wine and fine dining.

With this second edition now closed, both associations announce that they will begin working on the next call for entries with the aim of expanding participation, improving coordination with the International Garnacha Fair and continuing to strengthen a proposal that has demonstrated its ability to attract audiences, boost the hospitality industry and give visibility to Aragonese products.