Andalusia

Discover Andalusia’s Wine Country

Andalusia, Spain’s sun-soaked southern region, offers a unique wine experience. Known for its sherry and fortified wines, this area boasts a rich viticultural history dating back to the Phoenicians.

Towns and Villages

Jerez de la Frontera stands as the heart of sherry production. Its historic center features stunning architecture and numerous bodegas open for tours and tastings.

Sanlúcar de Barrameda, famous for Manzanilla sherry, offers seaside charm and excellent seafood. Don’t miss the horse races on the beach in August.

Must-Visit Locations

• Montilla: Known for its Pedro Ximénez wines
• Ronda: A picturesque town with emerging wineries
• Córdoba: Home to the unique Montilla-Moriles wines

Wine Producers

Andalusia boasts numerous renowned bodegas. Here are some top producers to visit:

• González Byass: Home of Tío Pepe, offering guided tours and tastings
• Bodegas Tradición: Known for premium sherries and a fine art collection
• Lustau: Award-winning producer with a range of sherries and brandy
• Barbadillo: Manzanilla specialists in Sanlúcar de Barrameda

Accommodations

Choose from a range of accommodations, from luxury hotels to charming rural retreats.

Wine-Themed Stays

• Hotel Bodega Tío Pepe: Sleep among the sherry barrels in Jerez
• Hacienda de San Rafael: Luxurious country hotel near Jerez
• Casa Viña de Alcántara: Guesthouse on a working vineyard in Jerez

Dining

Andalusian cuisine pairs perfectly with local wines. Try these restaurants for an authentic experience:

• La Carbona (Jerez): Fine dining with an extensive sherry list
• Casa Bigote (Sanlúcar): Seafood specialties paired with Manzanilla
• Aponiente (El Puerto de Santa María): Michelin-starred seafood innovation

Don’t miss trying local tapas in traditional bars, where sherry is often served straight from the barrel.

Wine Shops & Bars

Andalusia offers numerous wine shops and bars to sample local wines. Here are some top picks:

• Taberna der Guerrita (Sanlúcar): Extensive sherry selection and tapas
• La Casa del Jerez (Jerez): Specialized wine shop with rare sherries
• El Pasaje (Cádiz): Cozy bar with a wide range of local wines
• Taberna Origen 1905 (Córdoba): Historic bar featuring Montilla-Moriles wines

Other Shops

While exploring Andalusia’s wine country, don’t miss these unique shopping experiences:

• Mercado Central de Abastos (Jerez): Fresh produce and local specialties
• Antigua Casa del Guardia (Málaga): Historic wine shop selling local sweet wines
• La Alhóndiga (Sanlúcar): Gourmet food store with regional products

Attractions

Beyond wine, Andalusia offers rich cultural experiences:

• Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre (Jerez): Renowned equestrian school
• Alcázar de Jerez: 11th-century Moorish fortress
• Doñana National Park: UNESCO World Heritage site near Sanlúcar
• Mezquita-Catedral (Córdoba): Stunning mosque-cathedral complex

Events

Plan your visit around these wine-related events:

• Feria del Caballo (Jerez, May): Horse fair with sherry tastings
• Vendimia Festival (Jerez, September): Grape harvest celebrations
• Vinoble (Jerez, biennial): International noble wines exhibition
• Feria de la Manzanilla (Sanlúcar, May): Manzanilla sherry festival

Appellations

Andalusia boasts several Denominaciones de Origen (DO) for wine:

• Jerez-Xérès-Sherry DO: World-famous fortified wines
• Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda DO: Unique coastal sherry
• Montilla-Moriles DO: Known for Pedro Ximénez wines
• Málaga DO and Sierras de Málaga DO: Sweet wines and emerging table wines

Each appellation offers distinct wine styles influenced by local terroir and traditions.

Grape Varieties

Andalusia’s wine scene boasts a diverse array of grape varieties. Palomino reigns supreme, forming the backbone of Sherry production.

Other key varieties include:

• Pedro Ximénez: Used for sweet wines
• Moscatel: Produces aromatic whites
• Tintilla de Rota: A rare red variety
• Zalema: Common in Huelva’s white wines

Main Wine Styles

Andalusia is renowned for its fortified wines, particularly Sherry. The region’s main wine styles include:

• Fino: Dry, light-bodied Sherry
• Manzanilla: Similar to Fino, but exclusively from Sanlúcar de Barrameda
• Amontillado: Aged Fino with a nuttier flavor
• Oloroso: Full-bodied, darker Sherry
• Pedro Ximénez: Intensely sweet dessert wine

Food Specialties

Andalusian cuisine pairs perfectly with local wines. Don’t miss these regional delicacies:

• Jamón ibérico: Cured ham from black Iberian pigs
• Gazpacho: Cold tomato soup
• Pescaíto frito: Assorted fried fish
• Espetos: Grilled sardines on skewers
• Tortilla de camarones: Shrimp fritters

Drives & Walks

Explore Andalusia’s wine country through scenic routes. The Sherry Triangle drive connects Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, and El Puerto de Santa María.

For a memorable walk, try the Ruta del Vino y Brandy in Jerez, which takes you through historic bodegas and vineyards.

Itineraries

3-Day Sherry Adventure

• Day 1: Jerez de la Frontera – Visit González Byass and attend a flamenco show
• Day 2: Sanlúcar de Barrameda – Tour Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana and enjoy seafood at the beach
• Day 3: El Puerto de Santa María – Explore Bodegas Osborne and take a sunset boat trip

5-Day Wine and Culture Tour

• Days 1-2: Sherry Triangle (as above)
• Day 3: Ronda – Visit Bodegas La Sangre de Ronda and the famous bullring
• Day 4: Málaga – Tour Bodegas Quitapenas and explore Picasso’s birthplace
• Day 5: Granada – Visit Bodegas Señorío de P. Peñalver and the Alhambra

Getting There & Around

Andalusia’s main airports are in Málaga, Seville, and Jerez. Málaga Airport offers the most international connections.

For exploring wine regions:

• Rent a car for flexibility in rural areas
• Use trains for connections between major cities
• Book guided tours for worry-free winery visits

Best Time to Visit

Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) offer ideal weather for wine tours. Avoid the scorching summer months.

Key wine events:

• Feria de Jerez: May
• Vendimia Festival in Jerez: September
• Feria del Vino Fino in El Puerto de Santa María: May

Sustainability Efforts

Andalusian wineries are embracing eco-friendly practices:

• Bodegas Robles: Organic wine production
• Alvear: Solar energy and water conservation
• Barbadillo: Reduced carbon footprint initiatives

Language Tips

Learn these wine-related Spanish phrases:

• “Una copa de vino, por favor” – A glass of wine, please
• “¿Cuál es su vino local?” – What’s your local wine?
• “Salud!” – Cheers!

Further Resources

Enhance your Andalusian wine knowledge:

• Sherry Wines Official Website
• Andalusia Tourism Wine Routes
• Book: “Sherry, Manzanilla & Montilla” by Peter Liem and Jesús Barquín