The Whisper of the Earth and Time
In the misty folds of Asturias, where the mountains bow like penitent elders before the Cantabrian Sea, lie the secrets of a land that breathes cider as other peoples exhale sweat or tears. There, in the village of San Pedro de Ambás, near Gijón, stands Llagar Trabanco, a sanctuary where time does not pass but ferments.
Sidra Trabanco: Tradition and Asturian Essence
Founded in 1925 by José Trabanco in San Pedro de Ambás (Gijón, Asturias), the family-owned Sidra Trabanco began as a modest llagar dedicated to the artisanal production of cider. With deep roots in the Asturian land, its history is a testament to perseverance and respect for tradition. José Trabanco, a humble farmer, started by cultivating native apple trees on rugged terrain, giving life to a cider that was acidic and honest, characteristic of the region.
In 1955, his son Jesús Trabanco modernized the process with stainless steel machinery, blending innovation with ancestral methods. Facing skepticism from purists, he defended that "tradition is not a coffin, but a seed," establishing a model that is now led by the family's fourth generation.
Iconic Products:
Natural Cider: Made from a blend of acidic, sweet, and bitter apples, spontaneously fermented, and traditionally poured in the ritual of escanciado.
Cider Brandy with PDO Asturias: Distilled in copper stills, reaching 40% alcohol, renowned for its quality and deep connection to the region.
The Melancholy of Progress
Today, Trabanco sells half a million bottles annually, and its labels shine in the windows of Tokyo and New York. Yet, within its stone walls, the footsteps of José, the founder, still echo as he walked among the apple trees, murmuring: "Be careful, don't hurt them." Is this company a reflection of the modern man? A being torn between the pride of his history and the temptation to surrender to the vertigo of the future.
In Asturias, as the cider falls into the glass with the sound of waves breaking, someone toasts: "¡Que nun nos falte la lluz de les mios güeyos!" ("May the light of my eyes never be lacking!"). And in that phrase, drunk on fatalism and hope, beats the soul of Trabanco: eternal, bittersweet, indomitable.
