Bota Wineskins

January 2010

Bota wineskins have been used for thousands of years in Spain, a convenient and durable storage device for travelers, shepherds and farmers. There are very few authentic botas left - most are cheap imitations meant as decorations.

True botas are handmade from goatskin. The process takes over 40 steps, from curing the leather to sewing each one together with needle and thread. The result is a wineskin that is tough, watertight and can last for generations.

We are proud to offer botas from Jesús Blasco, a family owned bota workshop in the famous castle town of Sigüenza, a couple of hours northeast of Madrid. Since the 1800s, they've preserved the ancient tradition of bota making, using wood tannins, pine pitch and flawless local goat suede. To this day the family company is run by descendants of the original founder, Julián Blasco. 

If you are a purist, your choice will be a bota whose interior is coated with pine pitch - it takes more care, but it will last for decades. For a more convenient bota, we offer a latex lined wineskin. It still has the authentic suede goatskin exterior, but it requires no preparation or special care. It all depends how uncompromising you want to be!  

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