Going to a furancho in Pontevedra is one of the recommended activities if you come to visit our province. But, do you know what it is, and why do tourists and locals like them so much?
Discover what is a furancho in Pontevedra
Furanchos are places to eat and drink traditional local products. They are small family taverns or wine cellars in spaces and enclosures located inside the building of a house, which are open to the public.
Usually, they open from December to market the surplus wine produced and are open for as long as the surplus lasts, sometimes even all summer. It should be pointed out that they are not catering establishments, they are private homes with a space set aside for this consumption.
The origin of the furancho in Pontevedra
The furanchos are known especially in areas of Pontevedra. Its origin is in the surplus harvest of large wineries that could not bring to market bottled or exceeded the limitations of a designation of origin, and in the production of private wine that some families made for the use of their own family and friends.
It was a way of selling these wines, serving them to the public along with something to eat or snack on the premises or to take home. In some cases, customers brought their own food when they came to drink wine. Other times, they served the food that the family cooked on the fire.
In short, they were family-run establishments open to hospitality, with modest prices to supplement the family economy and allow the use of surplus wine.
What is a furancho nowadays and why go when visiting Pontevedra
Today the furanchos are still open to the public, set up in private homes with lower prices and a reduced gastronomic and oenology offer based on local products.
As they are exempt from taxes, in order not to become an unfair competition for hotel and catering businesses, their activity is regulated by the Xunta de Galicia. This limits what can be served and when it can be open to the public.
In a furancho you can drink vintage wine, surplus wine from wineries that have limited liters of production under the designation of origin and small producers with their own character and identity. They also have a limited but tasty offer of the traditional gastronomy of the area, which cannot exceed five tapas per furancho.
Going to a furancho in Pontevedra is a great experience and a cheaper way to eat and drink local products in a relaxed atmosphere. In addition, you can always combine a lunch or dinner in a furancho with others in restaurants to enjoy the variety of the gastronomic offer of Galicia.
Furanchos in Pontevedra: how many are there
There are currently twelve furanchos in the province of Pontevedra. They are located in places like Salcedo, Pontesampaio, Campaño, Lérez, Marcon and there are also several in Pontevedra itself.
As their opening is limited in time, find out beforehand which ones are open on the dates you are going to travel to Pontevedra. Some serve in closed spaces of the house, but others have a terrace or patio where you can enjoy the outdoors.
What to eat and drink in a furancho in Pontevedra
As we said, by law furanchos have a limited offer. In them, you can only drink wine, whether white, red or rosé, as well as water. They cannot serve cocktails, spirits, juices or soft drinks, for example.
As for the gastronomic offer, they are perfect to enjoy typical Galician dishes cooked in a homemade style, following family recipes and traditions, in portions or tapas, in general. Each furancho can only serve a maximum of five tapas and each one has its own specialties.
Depending on the chosen furancho and the moment you can eat empanadas, roast ham, pig’s ear, zorza, black pudding, potato omelette, fried eggs, croquettes, local peppers. It is also common to find grilled or stewed sardines or horse mackerel, loin, ribs, homemade sausages, choco, cod…
If you come to visit Pontevedra in low season, including a visit to a furancho is always a good decision. You can book tourist apartments in Pontevedra: book on the dates that suit you before others get ahead of you.