Malaga, the jewel to discover by wine lovers

Malaga is one of the leading cities in Andalucia and Spain in terms of tourism, but perhaps what you didn’t know is that it is also a leader in wine tourism. Wine tourism, or in other words, tourism focused on wine, is a trend and a growing attraction in the city of Malaga and Andalucia.

The wineries of Andalucia have great relevance at national and international levels and in Malaga alone there are more than 50 wineries where wine productions are elaborated. There are more than 150 brands of Malaga wines and 3 designations of origin: Malaga, Sierras de Malaga, and Malaga Raisins.

Many municipalities in the province are dedicated to growing grapes and making wine, which has become an experience for wine tourism enthusiasts. Such is the attraction of this tourism that many of the wineries offer wine routes, tastings, and different experiences in which to learn about the history, and production, visit the vineyards and taste their most prized wines.

Ronda and Malaga are the cities par excellence in the province where the largest wine productions are to be found, although there are 67 towns in Malaga where a wide variety of wines are produced to suit all palates, whether sweet, white, red, or rosé, which are already known throughout the world.

So that you can have a great wine experience and enjoy wine tourism in Malaga, we have made a selection of wineries for you to learn about wine culture and make a route throughout the province of Malaga.

 

Malaga wine

 

 

There are 3 denominations of origin for Malaga wines: Malaga, Sierras de Malaga and Pasas de Málaga.

These three denominations are synonymous with the quality of the wine productions of our wineries that have obtained these certifications and are the guarantee of the origin and the elaborations of the same.

Malaga wine is known all over the world and is a protagonist due to the different ripening processes of its grapes. The main grapes with which it is made are Moscatel and Pedro Ximénez, another white grape variety for Verdejo, red grapes for Tempranillo and raisins.

Among all these elaborations, the Malaga wines par excellence are Pale Cream, Pajarete, Pedro Ximénes, Moscatel, Lágrima, Dorado rojo, oscuro o negro and Fama en ascenso.

 

Wine tourism through Málaga

 

 

Many wineries form part of the Málaga wine tourism route. Although originally intended solely for wine production, these vineyards have become a real attraction for those who want to learn more about the history of this highly prized and sought-after wine in Andalucia, nationally and beyond our borders.

Malaga and its province is divided into 5 wine-producing areas: Axarquia, Montes de Malaga, North, Manilva and Serrania de Ronda.

These areas have different climates and orography that make the production of grapes more suitable for one area or another and thus create different types of wine.

Therefore, in each of the vineyards and wineries you visit, you will learn about the history and how wine production is carried out according to the climate and the grapes and their ripeness.

 

La Serranía de Ronda

 

 

Influenced by the proximity of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, this area has a great diversity of climatology that together with its special geology, gives its wines the uniqueness that characterizes them, so if you are in love with good drinking, the Serrania of Ronda is an almost obligatory stop and within this, we must have a special mention to Ronda, because it is here where you can find most of the wineries in Malaga. Along with these, you can also enjoy the Wine Interpretation Centre, a space designed for teaching and interpretation and thanks to which the old water supply tanks of Ronda (XIX century) have been rehabilitated.

In the Serranía de Ronda you can walk among vineyards in guided visits with expert winemakers, enjoy fabulous tastings always paired with local cuisine, you can also enjoy wine as you never had before because only here you will enjoy different wine therapy treatments.

 

La Axarquía

 

 

La Axarquia has some of the most outstanding vineyards on the Costa del Sol, and if you decide to visit them in August, you can enjoy the Wine Night in Cómpeta, where you will also find the museum dedicated to Muscatel and you can enjoy the traditional treading of the fields of this village in the Plaza de la Vendimia. On 15th August there is an appointment with wine tourism in Malaga, specifically in Cómpeta to celebrate this unique festival dedicated to wine.

But if anything defines this region, it is its raisins, which are dried in a completely natural way, so they have an exquisite Muscatel flavour. We recommend that the perfect date to enjoy them is the 17th of September, as this is when El Borge celebrates the Day of the Raisin. A very special day to highlight the wine culture and the work of the grape harvesters who made possible the production of a wine with a designation of origin of raisins.

 

Zona Norte, Montes de Málaga and Manilva

 

 

The northern area of Malaga also has a great winemaking tradition, not for nothing in this area is located one of the oldest wineries in Malaga: Bodegas Malaga Virgen in the town of Fuente de Piedra. This area of Malaga has been making its way in the winemaking tradition and the Bodega de El Niño de la Salina has more than 35 hectares of vineyards.

When it comes to wine tourism in Malaga, we must not forget the Montes de Malaga, where there is a deep-rooted winemaking tradition, and visit its vineyards, which are more than 100 years old and where the Pedro Ximén grape variety is grown. Manilva is a town with a wine-producing tradition, and this can be seen in the Viñas de Manilva Interpretation Centre.

 

Ronda and Malaga wine route

 

 

Thanks to wine tourism and the quality of wine in Malaga, we can find a route framed within the wine routes in Spain, known as the Ronda and Malaga Wine Route. Although this is the original name, several municipalities participate in it, such as Arriate, Almáchar, Cómpeta, El Borge, Manilva, Moclinejo, Mollina, Ronda and Sayalonga.

Many wineries and wine-growing areas in the province can be visited on this route to learn first-hand about the origins, production, smells, tastes, and aromas of the different wines: dry liqueur, sweet liqueur, overripe grapes, raisin grapes, dry, white, red, or rosé, or those with a strong muscatel flavour.

This route is one of the experiences offered by wine tourism in Malaga that will bring you closer to the wine culture.

These are some of the wineries you should know.

 

Malaga Wine Museum

The Malaga Wine Museum was created by the desire to have a space where to spread the values of quality and prestige of the Malaga wines and their culture and is located in the historic centre of the city. This space offers a walk through the history and culture of wine in the province of Malaga.

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Bodega Descalzos Viejos (Old Barefoot) (Ronda)

This winery is one of the most beautiful in Andalucia, it is located in a former trinitarian convent of the sixteenth century, although it was rehabilitated at the end of the last century and thanks to this you can enjoy the different convent spaces for the delight of those who decide to visit this cellar. But this is just a fantastic addition since the main thing is that in this winery you can taste fantastic wines. Keep in mind that in this winery only small groups are accepted since the visit they make is personalized and its price will vary depending on what it includes.

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Bodega Vetas (Arriate)

Vetas is one of the most renowned wineries in the Serranía de Ronda. The winery is located in the municipality of Arriate, so in addition to enjoying some fabulous wines you can enjoy beautiful views. In this winery in addition to visiting its vineyards and see its facilities you can make a tasting or even a pairing with local products. Although we recommend that you choose the option that includes lunch or dinner with paired menus, we assure you that you will enjoy it as never before.

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Bodega Casa de Guardia (Málaga)

La Casa del Guardia is known as a wine office, but what most people do not know is that it is one of the oldest wineries in the province. Their wines are made in Olías barrio and although the facilities are more modern than the well-known tasca located in the Alameda Principal, it is the perfect choice if wines with a historical designation of origin are of interest.

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Bodega Jorge Ordoñez (Vélez Málaga)

This winery, although very young, already boasts a fabulous list of achievements, it must be said that its sweet wine from Málaga No. 2 Victoria was chosen by Queen Elizabeth II of England to be served at the celebration of its 88th anniversary and also Tony Blair, the former Prime Minister of Great Britain, enjoyed a glass of this wine on his last visit. So you know, if you want to enjoy the exclusivity visit this winery.

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Bodegas Almijara (Cómpeta)

In the town of Cómpeta you have the chance of enjoying a fabulous guided tour without having to go as a group, although it is essential to book it in advance.

If you decide to visit this winery tell you that it is located in the heart of Axarquía, a short distance from the Mediterranean and the mountains. Also in this winery you must try the Moscatel wine, as they produce it in a traditional way and totally handmade, a delight.

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Bodega Excelencia (Ronda)

Bodegas Excelencia although it is a recently created winery, it has managed to make a name within the demanding world of winemaking. In this winery you can enjoy a day where in addition to a guided tour of the vineyards you will also discover the secrets of making the best Malaga wines. And of course, and as it cannot be otherwise, the visit will conclude with a tasting and its wines.

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Bodega Pérez Hidalgo (Álora)

This winery is a really creative bet in the world of winemaking. It produces some wines raised in oak wood which makes them truly unique, which is why their wines are increasingly recognized in the national territory.

Currently, Pérez Hidalgo offers three types of visits. In the first you can visit the winery and make a tasting of its three wines (crianza, reserve and white). In the second in addition to the above you can also visit their vineyards. And in the third option you can also have lunch in the cellar itself with a menu accompanied by its three wines.

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More wineries to visit

 

 

 

Bodegas Nilva (Manilva)

Manilva is one of the wine regions of the province of Malaga. There we find this winery specialised in dry wines with a lot of aromas and a saline touch due to the geographical location near the sea. The muscatel grape is the one they use in the production of their wines, and this has led them to win two awards in 2028 and 2019. Visiting the vineyards of this garage wine, which gets its name from the production of less than 8000 bottles a year, in a coastal setting in a privileged environment is one of the experiences you can enjoy with a guide at the Viñas de Manilva Interpretation Centre, learning about the winemaking traditions and organic farming of the Viña del Peñoncillo. To finish the visit, you will have a tasting of three wines and tapas.

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Bodega Doña Felisa (Ronda)

It is a relatively young winery, dating back to 99 to be precise. Despite its youth, Bodegas Doña Felisa is one of the family wineries in Ronda where you can enjoy 2 different guided tours, and which has made a place for itself in the wine tourism in Malaga. In any of its visits, you can learn first-hand how the wines are made traditionally from their origin and enjoy the vineyards and the natural environment where this winery is framed, as well as taste different exquisite wines and quality food to accompany in the Serranía de Ronda.

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Bodega Gross Hermanos (Valle de Abdalajís)

The elaboration of wines in an artisan and ecological way is the main axis of this winery. In the heart of the Sierra de la Chimenea, in the Valle de Abdalajís, in the north of Málaga, a wine typical of this area is produced due to the climate of its location: the southeast winds. This vineyard offers you the opportunity to visit it and get to know its cellars with guides. Gross Hermanos is committed to a sustainable concept of wine tourism and therefore among its experiences, you will find routes through the enviable natural environment and history of this area of Malaga.

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Bodegas Bentomiz (Sayalonga)

La Axarquía is one of the wine-growing areas par excellence for wine tourism. Here we find Bodegas Bentomiz, in Sayalonga. Its Ariyanas wines, sweet, terroir, limited edition and of a great variety, honour their land and origins. They are some of the most prized in oenology due to their characteristic grapes, such as the native rosé.

Visiting these wineries and their vineyards means getting to know the history and past of this emblematic place in the Axarquia region, as well as having a complete wine experience. Four options of guided tour, wine tasting and lunch that you can’t miss in this gourmet winery in Malaga.

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Bodega Quitapenas (Málaga)

It is perhaps one of the oldest wineries in Malaga. More than 140 years of history guarantee the quality of the wines of this legendary winery. Quitapenas produces wines with designation of origin of Malaga and Sierras de Malaga, so visiting these wineries is one of the must experiences for wine tourism in Malaga and Andalusia. Their Quitapenas wines are among the best known and although tradition is present in each of the elaborations, now they are also committed to organic wines. There are many different visits and experiences that you can do in this winery, such as wine and chocolate tasting, although one of the most special ones is to make your wine.

Definitely one of the stops on your wine route in Malaga.

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Málaga wine curiosities

 

 

Cardenal de los vinos

In 1224, the French King Philip Augustus organized what was called “The Battle of the Wines”, whose appointment the most famous wines of the time, this is what could be considered the first tasting of the history of wine, it is of I have to say that Málaga was represented, being in such a prominent place that she was named Cardinal de los vinos.

 

Malaga wines in Russia

According to a document that can be seen in the archive of the Regulatory Council, in 1791 the then ambassador of Spain in Russia, a gift to the Russian Empress, Catherine II, several boxes with Malaga wines. Zarina liked it so much that she exempted from taxes all the wines that came from this province.

 

 

Alfonso XIII

The wines that were served at the wedding of King Alfonso XIII were wines from Málaga and Jerez.

 

Legend

According to Merula’s Cosmography, published in 1636, a German named Peter, son of a Simens, planted in Malaga a branch originating from the banks of the River Rhine and that the result of this experiment was the Pedro Ximén variety.

 

Malaga wine before a speech

The story tells that Antonio Cánovas del Castillo had the habit of taking a “Málaga”, before each speech for as it was said: “to animate the verb”.

 

 

Millennial Tradition

Winemaking in Malaga has more than 3000 years of history. Our Phoenician ancestors already started with the oenological culture and began to plant the first vineyards to work the grapes and then produce these wines. And although over the centuries the wine business has been growing, it was in the 19th century when the export to a large part of the world was at its peak.

 

Wine Museum

Such is the importance of wine tourism and wine culture that an old palace in Malaga was chosen as the place to house the history, origin, and culture of wine. In 2008, the Biedmas palace was commissioned to start this wine museum where visitors could learn the ins and outs of Malaga’s oenology, display wine labels and an interpretation centre. This centre is the space chosen to offer tastings, a shop, and a training room.

 

A syrup to whet the appetite

In the Muslim period, the Montes de Málaga were already working in wine production. However, religion forbade the consumption of alcohol, so in order to drink it they decided to call it xarab Al-malaquí (Malaga syrup), which they drank among other things to whet their appetite.

 

Suggestions

 

 

• Malaga wine tourism is a booming sector that has seen an increase in visits to wineries and vineyards to learn about the work involved in the preparation of wine, which is why the demand for these sites is so high that most do not accept visits without a reservation.To ensure that your selected experience is as satisfactory as possible, we recommend that you make your reservation in advance.
• If you have a preference for one type of wine or another, we recommend that you carefully read each of the grapes used in its production and the type of wine.
• Many of the wineries offer different wine experiences at different prices. Some of them include a small assortment of tapas and others lunch. So, we recommend that you choose the one that suits your preferences.

 

 

• If you are in Malaga and your chosen plan is not to visit a winery, but some of the great offer of restaurants and bars in the capital, we recommend you write down these places where you can taste the best wines in Malaga: La Antigua Casa del Guarda as a tavern in the heart of the city where you can taste a variety of Malaga wines and tapas and portions that you will have to order at the bar. El Pimpi is another of the places par excellence where you can taste the best wines of Malaga and its varieties accompanied by exquisite dishes, and if you drink it on its outdoor terrace you can enjoy some of the best views of the city. Los Patios de Beatas is another mythical place where you can enjoy wine and tapas of excellent quality in a place full of beautiful stained-glass windows. In addition to a wine cellar, Quitapenas has two taverns where you can enjoy a great wine experience and great food.
• In addition to wine tastings, buying bottles of wine is one of the things you can do. And although there are many places, Vináliti is the wine shop par excellence. If you want to learn more about oenology, there are a multitude of courses on offer at this Escuela de Cata (wine-tasting school). Make a note of this place in the centre of Malaga to buy that bottle you want to take home.

 

 

Where to stay

 

 

Malaga wine tourism is one of the most popular experiences in recent years and if you decide to go on a wine route or visit some of the wineries in the province, you will probably end a day tired. That is why Amaré Beach Hotel Marbella is a hotel where you can end the day completely relaxed and spend a night of absolute rest, as it is recommended for adults. In addition, to go to any of the wineries in the province you will need to take the car, so you can easily go to any of your destinations from Amaré. Enjoy Malaga’s wine tourism and the comfort, excellent care, and relaxation at Amàre Beach Marbella.