The potential of the mosaic of territories that make up the Ronda and Malaga Wine Route is more than remarkable: Wines with history, whose origins go back to the Phoenician and Roman times, and a historical, cultural and natural heritage of exceptional value. . All this, together with the diverse tourist and leisure offer that the destination offers, provides the visitor with an unparalleled experience.

Resources and attractions of the Serranía de Ronda

The cultural and traditional wealth of Ronda is wide and diverse. It is on this diversity that the current attractiveness of Ronda and its mountains is based, as has been expressed by distinguished writers: Joyce, Cernuda, Hemingway, Juan Ramón Jiménez, Rainer María Rilke, Rafael Alberti, Federico García Lorca, among others.

The millenary city of Ronda is the owner of one of the most beautiful Historical Complexes in Spain. Declared an Asset of Cultural Interest since 1966, it houses a rich and diverse historical and cultural heritage (Mondragón Palace, Arab Baths, urban walls of Ronda, Bullring, Collegiate Church of Santa María la Mayor, Puente Nuevo

Together with these important resources and cultural products, the Serranía de Ronda is nature, active tourism, wine tourism, oil tourism, bullfighting, space for meetings and incentives, etc. We are talking about a cataloged natural territory of 240,519 hectares in which there are two Natural Parks and a National Park, such as Sierra de las Nieves, two Biosphere Reserves and a score of more protected natural spaces.

Resources, attractions of the Axarquía

Its subtropical climate, land and sea landscape, make the Axarquia region a territory of great uniqueness, beauty and authenticity. To this we must add its accessible beaches

 for people with reduced mobility, almost half of them with some quality mark. All this has configured the great Coastal Path, the Great Path and the Blue Path.

In the same way, its natural resources are exceptional, made up of the Sierras Tejeda and Almijara that together with the Sierra de Alhama (Granada) make up the Natural Park. It is attractive as it constitutes a protected natural space (due to its concentration of biodiversity), in addition to its landscape and because it supports different sports tourism activities.

Around the vineyard and the process of sunning the grapes to produce raisins and wines, a unique culture has been created that is reflected in a sloping viticulture landscape and in which a unique agrarian architecture, based on the presence of numerous wineries and paseros. The cultural link of the inhabitants of this area with the terroir and the pastoral production has been recognized in 2018 as an Important System of World Agricultural Heritage (GIAHS) by UNESCO. All this surrounded by picturesque towns that still preserve the medieval structure characteristic of the towns of Andalusia (Almachar, Competa, Moclinejo, El Borge, Sayalonga, etc.)

Resources and attractions of Manilva

It is the westernmost municipality in the province. Its lands descend from the lower Genal to the coast, in gentle hills covered mainly with vineyards. The urban nucleus is located two kilometers from the coast, with a second annexed nucleus located on the coast, Sabinillas. Along the coast, in addition to extensive, clean and beautiful beaches, ideal for underwater fishing, there are some places of interest such as the Duquesa Marina, or heritage landmarks such as the Torre de Punta Chullera or the Fortin by Sabinillas but if there is one element that identifies Manilva, it is its landscape of vineyards, with a great historical tradition. Around it, an offer of associated products has been configured, such as the annual grape harvest festival or the Viñas de Manilva Interpretation Center (CIVIMA), the Litoral path and the Great path and the blue path.

Resources and attractions of Mollina.

Mollina, a Malaga town located to the north of Antequera, is closely related to the wine culture, where its agricultural landscape, dotted with vineyards and its lively Harvest Fair, act as hallmarks. Its Harvest Festival is a Festival of provincial tourist singularity, having been heralds of this outstanding poets and writer such as Antonio Nadal, Antonio Gala, Rafael Alberti and Fernando Quiñones, among others.

In Mollina there are important vestiges of Roman times, such as the Castellum de Santillán or the Mausoleo de la Capuchina, a funerary monument that includes a crypt and an upper floor to worship the deceased. The site is located seven kilometers from the town, at the foot of the Sierra de la Camorra.

Back in the town center, the church of Nuestra Señora de la Oliva awaits us. Founded in the 17th century, it has a basilica plan and consists of three naves separated by semicircular arches.

Near this church is located the convent of the Ascension, also known as the Cortijo de la Villa. Of this 18th century building, its baroque style door stands out, its patio with a chapel finished in a belfry and a peculiar sundial.

We must have special mention, in the vicinity of Mollina, with the natural reserve of Laguna de Fuente Piedra, El Torcal de Antequera and the archaeological site of the Dolmens of Antequera, declared World Heritage by UNESCO.

In Mollina there are important vestiges of Roman times, such as the Castellum de Santillán or the Mausoleo de la Capuchina, a funerary monument that includes a crypt and an upper floor to worship the deceased. The site is located seven kilometers from the town, at the foot of the Sierra de la Camorra.

The RVRM is located in the province of Malaga and is currently made up of the municipalities of Arriate, Cómpeta, El Borge, Manilva, Moclinejo, Mollina, Ronda, Almachar and Sayalonga. In total, it brings together four wine production areas: Axarquía, Serranía de Ronda, Manilva and Zona Norte. Its production is part of three denominations of origin: DO Málaga, DO Sierras de Málaga and DO Pasas de Málaga.

The potential of the mosaic of territories that make up the route is more than remarkable. Wines with history, whose origins go back to the Phoenician and Roman times and a historical, cultural and natural heritage that houses exceptional historical, archaeological, artistic, cultural, ethnographic, landscape and environmental values.

The traditional terms associated with the world of wine in Malaga constitute a heritage worthy of inventory. The names of the wines themselves reflect everything that wine has meant and means in this region. The Maestro, Tender, Tear, Gold, Golden Red, Dark, Black, Pajarete, Cream or Cream, Pale, Pale Dry, Pale Cream, Swet, Noble, Añejo, Trasañejo, are terms that define specific and well-differentiated products.

The other important product of the Malaga viticulture, the raisin, has also given rise to its own terms, necessary for the classification of the product, as interesting as they are defining, such as Racimal Imperial, Catite Imperial, Racimal Royal, Catite Royal, Quintas Altas, Quintas Bajas for the raisins in clusters and for the shelled grapes I Revise, Medium I Revise, Neat, Current, Menudo, Escombro y Cochaque.

In addition, this terminological heritage is adorned by numerous references to winery utensils such as the Tarabita used for the tread of the grape, the Malaga Spoon for the visual tasting of the wine in the cellar, or the Whip to make the “equalized” Of wines, the latter term, genuinely from Malaga and which refers to the practice of blending or mixing the wines.

The world of wine has left, how could it be otherwise, numerous archaeological and architectural vestiges throughout the entire territory of Malaga (Mollina, Manilva, Ronda, Axarquia, etc.) such as the Phoenician settlements of Morro de Mezquitilla, Malaka , Toscanos, Jardín, Casa de la Viña, Trayamar, Cerro del Villar, or Acinipo in the Serranía de Ronda, places where numerous remains of amphorae have been found for transporting and consuming wine; or coins representing bunches of grapes which testify to the importance of wine production in the region.

MANILVA

The history of the grape in Manilva dates to the beginning of the year 1500 when the Duke of Arcos, lord of the County of Casares, at the request of his neighbors gave land for the cultivation of vineyards. There was a great multitude of well distributed wineries and wineries, and the production was mainly destined to wine (early white and black and Grenache) and table grapes had no relevance. It had its maximum expansion in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, being from 1860 when the decline occurs.

The culture of the Pasa grape.

The culture of the raisin grape is an ancestral system of close relations with the Axarqueño territory and its population, having been cataloged by FAO as an important system of world agricultural heritage (SIPAM), highlighting its exceptional landscape, environmental, socioeconomic, and cultural values. Most of the predominant vineyard in the area is of the Moscatel and Romé variety (red or white), which is native to this territory.

GIAHS are land use systems and landscapes, rich in biological diversity, that evolve from the co-adaptation of a community with its environment. The SIPAM of the Uva Pasa de Málaga, with an area of ​​280 km², ranges from the cultivation of the Moscatel grape to its transformation into raisins through drying in the sun or into wine. A system that, while making it possible to conserve the landscape, thus avoiding erosion and desertification processes, constitutes an element of linking the population to the territory, since it is essential in the agrarian economy of the region. In fact, its production allows to support more than 3,000 families that live from the production of raisins in the Axarquía.

After the recognition of the FAO through its declaration as GIAHS in 2018, the strolling activity is registered in the Atlas of the Intangible Heritage of Andalusia. Thanks to their productive activity, the paseros have important cultural values: being a trade that has been transmitted from generation to generation, which is still practiced today, and which has also allowed the maintenance of other trades related to the production of raisins, such as winemaking and mule farming.

The raisin of the grape, called in Malaga “Asoleo”, to produce raisins or wine is a practice from the Middle East, perhaps introduced in Malaga by the Punic Phoenicians. However, the development of these practices reached its zenith during the Muslim period, and in a special way it was practiced in the Axarquía region characterized by being a territory with a complex orography and steep slopes. Since then, this practice has not stopped being done.

It takes place in the Paseros, also called Toldos. The paseros are agricultural constructions of about 4m x 8m built on the ground, and therefore with the inclination of it, oriented towards the southwest, so that the grapes spread out on them receive the most insolation. The world of wine has also left its mark on the city of Malaga, which has always benefited from the economy generated by the sector. Large works, such as the port and the cathedral, were financed by contributions from producers of agricultural products and mainly by the wine and raisin sector. The most emblematic street in the city, nowadays, Calle Larios, was built and financed by the Marqués de Larios, a winemaker. Malaga wine, crossing the borders of its own territory, has finally been the object of literary and artistic inspiration. Great of letters and plastic arts have captured their uniqueness and their nature. In literature Miguel de Cervantes, Salvador Rueda, Alejo Carpentier, Graham Green, among others. Picasso in painting. Rossini in his opera La Cenerentola.    

MOLLINA

Mollina has more than 1,000 hectares of vineyards of autochthonous varieties, among them we find Doradilla, Moscatel and Pedro Ximén. In the Capuchina farmhouse, part of the Mollina wine is produced, this farmhouse is located on a farm that has more than 21 hectares of vineyards and has wines with its name such as Capuchina Vieja Tinto. In addition, here we find other different varieties of vine such as the small grain grape. Cortijo La Fuente also produces its own wines.

The Cooperativa del Vino Virgen de la Oliva de Mollina, has more than 600 members and produces 80% of the wines of the Malaga appellation of origin. It was more than thirty years ago when a group of farmers from Mollina and its surroundings decided to join forces to exploit their vineyards and sell their wine. After a first harvest of just 1,200 kilos of grapes, those thirty members could not know then that they had just planted the seed of a cooperative that, decades later, was going to multiply its number of members by twenty and produce millions of kilos, not only wine, but also oil and table olives. Today, the Virgen de la Oliva de Mollina society claims to be one of the most prosperous cooperatives in the province.

Wine is so important in Mollina that it even has its own festival, the Harvest Fair, which is held on the second weekend of September, having its origins in the 60s, in order to promote the wine of the area. , carrying out cultural events, such as the Proclamation of the Fair which illustrious writers and journalists have carried out every year, the Poetic Contest “Mollina, color of wine” and the recognition of the best winemaker or vineyard of the year.

Wine throughout its long history has adopted multiple functions: ceremonial, symbolic, religious, food supplement, antiseptic medicine, etc. There are several archaeological and documentary references that affirm the long tradition of Ronda as a land of vines and wines. From the first linked to the numismatics of the Ibero-Roman city of Acinipo (47-44 BC), in which the cliché of the grape cluster in monetal minting is verified, which undoubtedly demonstrates the importance of the vine in economic base of these communities, until the existence of remains of amphorae that typologically are linked to wine or the place name of the city itself.

This know-how is later collected by the Church, who contributed to the development of viticulture, not only through the conservation and transmission of cultivation methods, inherited from Roman antiquity, but also increasing its prestige by placing the vine in the top of the hierarchy of symbols. In our case, referring to the role of the church in the field of wine, there is evidence, in the Mozárabe Rupestre Hermitage of the “Virgen de la Cabeza” (VIII-X D.c.), of a small press for making wine.

But perhaps more unknown and at the same time interesting, is the praise of wine by the Arab world. Curiously, the god Bacchus and wine were the main themes of classical Arab poetry, which led to its maximum splendor a poetic trend that began in pre-Islamic Arabia. In this period, wine is the object and symbol of life and love.

But, if there is a clear reference on the importance of the vine and wine in our territory, this is the one provided by the Municipal Ordinances of the City of Ronda and its jurisdiction, ordered to proclaim by order of King Felipe, in the Plaza de Viva Rambla in the City of Granada in the year 1,568.

This projection of the vine is also documented in the 18th and early 19th century, especially in ​​the Barrio de San Francisco. It will be at the end of the 19th century when phylloxera (Dactylosphera Vitifoliae), a disease caused by an insect, attacks the roots of the vine and our memory, causing the death of many of our vineyards and resulting in the loss of traditional know-how and an ancient wine culture. Despite everything, in the twentieth century, the culture of must is maintained in the Serranía and in the Genal valley and business initiatives in Ronda Ciudad,

But everything was not written, the 21st century marks a turning point, thanks to new local and foreign winemakers, who have decidedly committed to the territory. From the province of Malaga. We began to recover our memory, reminding ourselves and showing us with their good work, that the province of Malaga is a land of wines.

All the municipalities in the territorial area of ​​the Ronda and Málaga Wine Route retain their traditional festivals, mostly linked to religion, festive games and wine-related festivals. They are festivals with a popular flavor and strong roots in the local population. Touristically, the Holy Week in Ronda and the Pedro Romero Fair, declared of National Tourist Interest of Andalusia or the popular Romantic Ronda, stand out for their relevance and attractiveness. In this sense, in the Serranía there is such a declaration during Holy Week in Arríate, as well as the Moors and Christians Festival of Benalauria, in the Genal Valley.

In Mollina, the Harvest Festival has the rank of provincial tourist singularity, having been heralds of these prominent poets and writer such as Antonio Nadal, Antonio Gala, Rafael Alberti and Fernando Quiñones, among others.

In the same way, in Manilva, the grape harvest festival is celebrated, the only one on the western coast of Malaga. It dates to the fifties of the twentieth century. It is celebrated in the first week of September, once the grapes are harvested, where Christian tradition and paganism are mixed with the treading of the grape and the popular festive revelry. This unique festivity has its stellar moments in the offering of the grapes on Saturday and the tread on Sunday.

In the Axarquia area, we must highlight the Almachar White Garlic Festival, the Competa wine night, which has its origins in the traditional farewell that neighbors made to the grape pickers, on the day of the raisin in the town of El Borge, the nisperon festival in Sayalonga or the vineyard festival in Moclinejo, with tastings and folklore, as in the rest of the festivals.

The variety and gastronomic quality of the territorial area of the Ronda and Malaga Wine Route are unparalleled. The quality of the products of the land and the sea, together with its excellent wines make up a real feast for the senses. It is worth highlighting the “Sabor a Málaga” initiative launched in the province, which generally aims to promote the consumption of local products. For this, we work in coordination with producers, intermediary businesses, and catering establishments, being a highly relevant strategy when it comes to promoting food and wine tourism, as a motor of local development.

La Serranía de Ronda.

The nature of the Serranía de Ronda is spectacular, full of smells and flavors. Its valleys provide the fruits that the garden produces: legumes, vegetables, greens and fruits that serve as the basis for all recipes. Their animals complete them, their mushrooms and aromatic herbs qualify them, and a long history of Romans, Moors and Christians, muleteers, smugglers and bandits has established the ten thousand influences on which their gastronomic culture is built, as rich as the variety. and quality of its ingredients.

Its gastronomic offer is intense, authentic, as are its extra virgin olive oils, its honeys, sheep and goat cheeses Payoya, its Iberian acorn and chestnut hams, etc. which stand as true and essential protagonists of each and every one of the gastronomic aspects that the Serranía treasures. If we add to this our wines, established on the millenary tradition of the local must, we obtain a true harmonization for our senses and an experience difficult to forget.

La Axarquia

Gastronomy, in a broad sense, is the main cultural resource of the Axarque region. There are products such as raisins, wine, olive oil, beet and cane honey, cold meats, subtropical fruits (avocado, custard apple or mango) and those derived from the Malaga goat, which in addition to being linked to the The region’s economic activity complements each other as a top-level tourist resource, beyond just tasting it.

The wine and raisins from the entire region, the cherimoya from Vélez-Málaga, Torrox, Frigiliana, Algarrobo and Nerja, and the melva and mackerel from Vélez, have Denomination of Origin for being considered quality products and for their differentiation.

Mollina

In addition to the essential cold meats still made in the traditional way, and the most typical sweets such as pestiños, borrachuelos or muffins that can be tasted all year round, as well as the mantecados and donuts typical of the Christmas season, in Mollina migas stand out in winter. and hot porrillas, and gazpacho and porra in summer, accompanied by excellent local wines.

Manilva

The mountains and the sea make up Manilveña cuisine, based on the Mediterranean diet, full of balance, tradition, quality, flavor, and nutritional values. Every day the products of the land and the sea offer the best they have for the appetizing dishes of a typical Malaga cuisine (fish, shellfish, tomato and sardine soups, clam soups, etc.)

Diversity, a sign of our wealth

At any time of the year Ronda and Malaga offer us inimitable shows. Authentic concerts of light, aromas and sounds approach us. A natural environment, without a doubt, that is a beautiful feast for the senses. There is always something to see and do. You can find adventure or tranquility. Activities for all ages and physical condition: caving, cycling, canoeing, canyoning, hiking, bird watching… contact with the fighting bull, etc.

 You can also enjoy the experience of walking through the vineyards, enjoying tasting courses, tastings harmonized with local cuisine, relaxing wine therapy treatments, charming accommodations that will make you feel at home, or savoring concerts of classical music, jazz, etc. in the own wineries.

By land, sea and air …

By highway:

 Roads From Ronda to:

1. Algeciras:

– Along the coast: A-397 to San Pedro de Alcántara, N-340 / E-15 to Algeciras

– Inside: A-369

2. Cádiz: A-374 to Algodonales, A-384 to Arcos A-382 to Jerez, N-IV / A-4 to Cádiz
3. Córdoba: A- 367 to Antequera, N-331 that connects with N-IV / E-5 to Córdoba
4. Granada: A- 367 to Campillos, A-382 to Antequera, A-92 to Granada
5. Malaga:

– Along the coast: A-397 to Marbella, N- 340 / E-15 to Malaga

– Inland: C-367 to Ardales, A-357 to Malaga

6. Marbella: A- 397
7. Seville A- 374 A-375 A-376

Airports:

1. Granada: 170 Kms.
2. Jerez: 109 Kms.
3. Malaga: 118 Kms.
4. Seville: 126 Kms.
5. Gibraltar: 103 Kms

Ports:

1. Algeciras: 96 kms.
2. Cádiz: 144 kms.
3. Malaga: 118 kms.

CONTACT:

Telephone: 952187119

Email: info@rutavinorondamalaga.com

Address: Calle Dolores Ibárruri, 2-10, 29400 Ronda, Málaga

Ficha Comercial RV Ronda y Málaga

Mapa – Folleto Ruta del Vino Serranía de Ronda 2019