 In the Middle Ages, when Navarre was a powerful independent kingdom with close ties to France, viticulture prospered, partly due to the demand from the pilgrims on the "Camino de Santiago" (Way of St. James).In the 12th century, the wine from Navarre was recommended to pilgrims in guidebooks, and was also exported abroad.Towards the end of the 18th century viticulture was the main agricultural activity of the region.