What can you do when you have cycled or walked that morning and have an afternoon free? Well, you can drink wine!
During the last 20 years, whilst we have been cycling around the Ronda region, we have noticed a growing number of new vineyard’s open in this area. A ‘Ruta de vinos’, (wine route) has been established around various local vineyard’s with maps and signposts throughout the countryside and of course an opportunity to visit and taste!
We recently visited Bodegas Ramos Paul, situated above Montecorto, it has spectacular views towards Grazalema and Montecorto. Nestled in the mountains, below it has a valley of green fields scattered with colourful flowers with swathes of poppies mixed in, the vineyard is protected from behind by a dramatic back drop of the cliffs below the Acinipo. The Acinipo, which the Romans occupied from approximately 206-462 B.C, was also where Ronda was originally situated and also where the Romans produced their own wine. Steeped in this history alone, means to me, that this land where we were standing upon surely must produce something special.
We made our way up the old stone steps to meet our guide Pilar. We received a tour and saw the incredible tunnels that have been excavated below the Acinipo to store the wine, Pilar explained the process of wine making, including the science behind all important factors such as, nutrients of the soil, altitude, the ripening process in relation to the amount of daily sun, and its unique microclimate. The vineyard’s unique position attracts a similar microclimate to that of Grazalema, when you listen to Pilar explain the work they do, you can feel the passion come through in her tour.
Pilar and her husband Paul Ramos came here in 1999 to start their business and now export this fabulous wine into 31 countries and a handful of special restaurants here in Ronda and throughout Andalusia.
The wines produced are Syrah, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
The wines available have a unique flavour, a smooth combination of the above wines but they have also managed to capture time and maturity in each bottle, a unique ingredient that comes with experience and love of what you do.
We had a wonderful afternoon tasting, eating and chatting in the warmth of the Andalucian sun. We felt that the land we were standing on did in fact produce something very special, what a perfect evening and well worth a visit.
