Learn to gather shellfish, with wine, on the Arousa estuary

An experience from Bodegas Martín Códax to get to know shellfish gathering, a centuries-old trade on the Arousa estuary, at close quarters, with professional shellfish gatherers. It lasts about three hours, combines the estuary's sandflats with the winery and the tasting terrace, and admits children, with a ticket at €20.

What you do

The first part is on the sandflats of the Arousa estuary, the cradle of shellfish gathering, with professional shellfish gatherers who teach you their trade and the richness hidden in the sand. Afterwards you tour the Martín Códax winery, in Vilariño, to learn about its origins and how they make their D.O. Rías Baixas wines, all albariño. The winery was born in 1985 from 50 grape growers and today brings together more than 500 families. It ends on the terrace over the Arousa estuary, with a pairing tasting guided by the sommelier: three albariños accompanied by three dishes made with local produce.

Price, groups and booking

It costs €45 per adult and €20 per child aged 5 to 17. Groups are a minimum of 5 people and a maximum of 24, and the experience is held in Spanish or Galician. It cannot be booked on the spot: you must request it at least five days ahead, using the form on its website, at [email protected] or on 986 526 040, and the winery confirms. Martín Códax is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 19:00, at Burgáns 91, Vilariño.

The winery does not publish on that page the dates when it runs or the meeting point on the beach: ask when you book, together with the footwear to bring. Nor does it detail accessibility: if someone in the group has reduced mobility, ask beforehand, because part of the activity is on sand.

With children and what to combine

It is one of the few wine activities that makes sense for a family: the children get the beach and the shellfish, and the adults the tasting. If you want something similar with smaller groups, the winery also offers Los tesoros de la ría, three hours, with a visit to a traditional cannery and three wines, for €45 per adult and €18 per child, for eight people; and El mar en libertad, four hours on a traditional boat, for €760 for a group of up to ten.

In the afternoon, head to the centre of Cambados for the walk through the old town and the San Sadurniño tower, or go up to the Santa Mariña Dozo ruins.