Programme SISGA 2026
Xixón, Asturies · 24–27 September 2026. Each day can be consulted in full from its box.
This is how you live
The program alternates technical work, conversation between producers, opening to the public and recognition of the best ciders.
Choose your way of experiencing SISGA
23 September: Cider Sommelier Workshop in the afternoon, 75 €, with limited places. Saturday 26: Open Tasting, from 12:00 to 15:00 and from 17:00 to 20:00. Entry 10 €. Guided tastings: 5 additional € with reservation. Sunday 27: Brunch de Gala and Awards SISGA, 75 €.
Request reservationThursday 24: reception and opening. Friday the 25th: International Jury and visits. Saturday 26th: assembly, stand attention and Open Tasting. Sunday 27th: Brunch and Awards. Check in the bases which activities are mandatory.
Programme and obligationsRecommended moments: institutional opening on Thursday the 24th, professional meetings on Friday the 25th, Open Tasting on Saturday the 26th and Awards on Sunday the 27th. Access to certain spaces requires prior accreditation and coordination.
Request accreditationShifts may include reception, orientation, support for producers, Open Tasting, guided tastings, logistics and closing. The organization confirms mission, time and meeting point after reviewing the request.
Register as a volunteerOptional complementary program · Previous day
The activities of the previous day are the responsibility of the participants. The organization coordinates the contacts and necessary information.
11:00–13:00 Free visit to Finca El Gallinal and guided tasting of between 15 and 20 apple varieties, depending on ripeness. Advance confirmation required.
16:30–20:30 Cider Sommelier Workshop: an afternoon to discover cider with all your senses · CIFP de Hostelería y Turismo de Gijón · €75 · 10 places.
On Wednesday 23 September, ahead of SISGA’26, the School of Cider Sommellerie at the CIFP de Hostelería y Turismo de Gijón will deliver an intensive workshop devoted to cider knowledge, tasting and gastronomic possibilities.
Over four hours, participants will learn to identify the basic tastes and main aromas found in cider, explore the world of cider spirits through a guided tasting, and discover different applications of cider in cocktail making.
The workshop will be highly practical and has a very small capacity of only ten participants, allowing personalised attention and a high-quality learning experience.
16:30–17:30
Led by Juan Luis García, lecturer at the CIFP de Hostelería y Turismo de Gijón.
17:30–18:30
Led by Ricardo del Río, cider sommelier.
18:30–19:30
Led by Marcos Abel Fernández, president of Fundación Asturies XXI.
19:30–20:30
Led by Benedicta Zurro, lecturer at the CIFP de Hostelería y Turismo de Gijón.
From 20:30, the programme will continue with “De chigres por Xixón”, a visit to cider bars in the municipality where participants can discover different establishments and taste ciders from a range of brands.
10:00 Participant reception. Distribution of documents and accreditations. Hotel Zentral Rey Pelayo, Xixón.
10:30 Bus departure for the Ateneo de Villaviciosa.
11:30 Official opening.
Official reception by Mr. Alejandro Vega, mayor of Villaviciosa.
Presentation of the 16th SISGA by Marcos A. Fernández, president of the Fundación Asturies XXI.
Inaugural tasting by Pavol Orlicky, of the Appelino cider (Belgium).
13:30 Working lunch at Sidrería Amandi, Villaviciosa.
15:30 Bus departure for Nava.
16:30 Official reception by Juan Cañal, Mayor of Nava, and Juan Stové, Director of the Cider Museum of Asturias.
17:00–18:30 Round table: ‘International cider events’.
Tourism Xixón.
Cider Cities and CIDEREU.
Madeira.
Canary Islands.
Valdivia (Chile).
18:30 Cider tasting, light refreshments and a visit to the Cider Museum.
21:00 ‘De chigres per Nava’. Visit to cider bars.
22:00 Bus departure for Xixón.
09:00 Bus departure from Hotel Zentral Rey Pelayo, Xixón.
09:30 Welcome to the SISGA Awards International Jury.
09:45 Opening by Manuel G. Busto, President of the SISGA International Jury.
10:00 Constitution of the 2026 SISGA Awards International Jury.
11:00 Tasting, deliberations and scoring of the submitted ciders.
10:00 Annual meeting of Cider Cities members.
10:00 Guided visit to the Museum of the People of Asturias.
12:40 Visit to the Atlantic Botanical Garden of Xixón.
13:30 Working lunch at Restaurante Finca El Duque.
15:00 Bus departure for Villaviciosa.
15:30 Visit to the El Gaitero cider mill.
17:00 Free time to explore Villaviciosa: shops, architecture and cider bars.
19:30 Opening of the LA SIDRA photography exhibition. Casa de los Hevia, Villaviciosa.
20:00 ‘Alimentos del Paraíso’ experience: tasting of quality-labelled Asturian products paired with Asturian ciders.
21:30 Bus departure for Hotel Zentral Rey Pelayo, Xixón.
Open Tasting to the Public
Place: Salón Asturias, Congress Palace of the Luis Adaro Fairgrounds, Xixón.
Entry: 10 €. Includes tasting of participating ciders, meeting with producers and the possibility of buying ciders directly.
Guided tastings: 5 additional € per tasting. Requires entry for the Open Tasting and specific reservation; Places are awarded in strict order of registration. There will also be harmonization of international ciders with products from Alimentos del Paraíso.
Asturian apple exhibition in collaboration with CSAM - Club Sierense de Amigos de la Manzana.
10:00–12:00 Stand setup.
12:00–15:00 Cider tasting open to the public.
12:00–12:45 Guided tasting or pairing of international ciders with Alimentos del Paraíso products.
13:00–13:45 Guided tasting or pairing of international ciders with Alimentos del Paraíso products.
14:00–14:45 Guided tasting or pairing of international ciders with Alimentos del Paraíso products.
15:00–16:30 Lunch at leisure in the AGROPEC area.
17:00–20:00 Cider tasting open to the public.
17:15–18:00 Guided tasting or pairing of international ciders with Alimentos del Paraíso products.
18:15–19:00 Guided tasting or pairing of international ciders with Alimentos del Paraíso products.
19:15–20:00 Guided tasting or pairing of international ciders with Alimentos del Paraíso products.
20:00–21:00 Closing and stand dismantling.
21:00 Bus departure for the fellowship espicha.
Brunch de Gala and Awards SISGA’26
General price: 75 € per person · limited places · prior reservation required.
Participation In-person attendance at each winery includes a place for the registered representative. Additional companions: 75 € per person.
10:00 Bus departure from Hotel Zentral Rey Pelayo.
11:00–14:30 Gala Brunch, with each course paired with different international ciders, and presentation of the SISGA’26 Awards.
Intervention by the president of the Fundación Asturies XXI, recognition of the Ambassadors of the SISGA, appointment of new ambassadors and closing.
Post-event complementary day
The programme for Monday 28 September will be open and will be adapted to participants’ interests.
Possible proposals include a visit to DOP Sidra de Asturies, Barrio de la Sidra in Uviéu, Cimavilla Sidrera in Xixón and Plaza del Requexu in Mieres. These are proposals: the final programme will be organised according to attendees’ interests.
Organized: Fundación Asturies XXI See collaborators