Autumn and winter are a good time to go wine tourism . Although, now, it is not possible to see the harvest, it is possible to do tastings and observe the architecture of many wineries , which are somewhat spectacular due to their construction or their age . On this tour, we are going to focus on the oldest wineries in Spain with proposals for all tastes. And, regardless of its greater or lesser majesty, what is clear is that it is well worth knowing its history and tasting its wines that are among the best in Spain and the world.
The wineries
One of the oldest wineries in Spain, but also in the world, is Cordorniu , which was born in 1551. Located in San Sadurní de Noya, it maintains its more than 450 years of history, which is still reflected in this winery that calls in turn attention for its architecture. And it was designed by Josep Puig i Cadafalch, a renowned modernist architect, who was a contemporary of Gaudí. A history and architecture for which this winery was declared an Artistic Monument in 1976.
It is also part of the oldest Bodegas Góngora , dating from 1682. Located in Villanueva del Ariscal, in Seville, it is in the seventh generation. Of it, the guided tours, including tasting, stand out, although there are wines that cannot be tasted because they are part of the family’s most valuable legacy as they are old, fragrant and sweet Amontillados wines, which have been kept for three generations.
And the tour now takes us to Montilla to visit Bodegas Alvear , born in 1729. From its facilities, wines that have great national and international recognition and prestige come out, which are made under the Ribera del Guadiana Designation of Origin.
And in 1771 Bodegas Los Frailes was born, located in Fontanars dels Alforins, in Valencia, which makes its wines with autochthonous varieties such as Monastrell. It is striking to see the wines and their process in which biodynamic agriculture is used, which combines new technologies with respect for the flora.
A little younger is Bodegas El Grifo , whose birth dates back to 1775. This winery is located in San Bartolomé, on the Canary Island of Lanzarote. Apart from the elaboration of its wines, which have a great personality due to the growing conditions of the grapes, you must visit its museum, which includes more than 500 unique pieces related to wine production.
In Cádiz, we find the Garvey Wineries with origin in 1780 to produce Sherry wines, which are among the most valued worldwide. And three years later, in 1783 Bodegas 501 was born, which are located in El Puerto de Santa María. From there, the most consumed brandy in all of Spain is made. In addition, they have been suppliers of the Royal House since 1875.
The tour takes us to Sanlúcar de Barrameda to see the Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana , which were born in 1792. From humble origins they have become one of the most relevant Manzanilla products in the world. A push that it achieved in the 19th century.
And, again, we have to return to Cádiz, to Puerto de Santa María, where the Gutiérrez Colosía Wineries are also located, which were founded in 1788. The winery has passed through time by several owners, but is maintained by its wines that , for many, they also appear in the ranking of the best.
The tour comes to an end visiting the Marqués de Murrieta Winery . Its activity dates back to 1852. A date on which the first Rioja wines began to be made. This winery was also one of the first to export this wine outside of Spain. Marqués de Murrieta is characterized by the quality of its wines, being for many essential in the list of the best in Spain and worldwide.