Guided visit to the El Gaitero cider mill, in La Espuncia

El Gaitero is the best-known sparkling cider brand in Asturias, and it is made in La Espuncia, on the way out of Villaviciosa, beside the estuary. The visit shows the other scale of Asturian cider: not a village cider mill, but large cellars and a permanent collection that tells the history of the house.

What you see

The route, of around an hour and a half, goes through the cellar and the permanent collection and ends with a tasting of several of its ciders. Part of the way is outdoors: if it rains, bring a waterproof. It is wheelchair accessible.

Price, hours and how to book

Admission costs €5 per person and is redeemed at the shop at the end of the visit, only that day; under-14s go in free with an adult. From 1 October the autumn-winter timetable applies, Thursday to Sunday, with slots at 10:00, 11:30, 13:00, 16:00 and 17:30; in spring and summer the timetable changes, so check it on their website. You must book beforehand and wait for confirmation, through the form, on 985 890 100 or at [email protected]. With less than a day's notice there may be no room. Groups are 30 people at most.

How it fits into the day

La Espuncia is a couple of minutes from the centre of Villaviciosa by car. A full cider morning would be El Gaitero first thing and, to compare with a family natural-cider mill, the Sidra Cortina visit in Amandi, with lunch in its cider house. In the afternoon, Tazones is a quarter of an hour away.