Escape to the mountains of the Serranía de Ronda
for a long, luxurious weekend of wine tasting
The late evening sun was streaming through the small window, carved out of the ancient, metre thick stone wall. The warm light cast shadows across the sixteenth century frescoes on the walls of this tiny chapel, close to the mountain town of Ronda.
The sound of a cork being gently eased out a bottle broke the silence, and then the rich, ruby and violet wine was poured into glasses.
Yet this is not an ordinary chapel; and this is not Sacramental wine.
Old favourite
Ronda, the picture perfect Andalusian cliff top town, at the heart of the dramatic Serranía de Ronda mountain range, has always been a favourite amongst visitors. Its famous river gorge, boasting vertiginous balconies hanging over the 120 metre cliffs looking out to the verdant, fertile pastures below, is certainly unique.
The original walled Arab medina, with its fascinating mix of Moorish palaces and centuries old Spanish patio houses, is joined to the no less historic centre of Ronda by the extraordinary eighteenth century ‘Puente Nuevo’ bridge that spans the gorge of the river Guadalevín. The town is home to Spain’s oldest bullfighting ring and is chockfull of quintessential Andalusian charm.
Yet, in the last few years this rural citadel has started to gain even more international acclaim; this time for its wines. Wine tourism is now one of its greatest draws, as visitors look to define long weekends spent in Ronda’s boutique hotels with gastronomy and fine wine.
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