Curiosity, viniculture, love for the organic… All of these aspects combine on a tour that covers all of Andalusia and leads to wineries committed to sustainability.
This itinerary between Granada and Almeria boasts particular esteem It would seem that the Sierra Nevada and Sierra de Gádor, at their quiet heights, are particularly suitable to the creation of so-called "green wines". Ecological wines proliferate these lands and beyond. If you jump in the car and follow a map, you will find a good handful of wineries that produce their wines using ecological treatments in vineyards.
Cortijo El Cura Eco-Winery (Laujar de Andarax, Almeria)
These Almeria winemakers understand that, within the various types of sustainable tourism, organic agriculture has much to say. The Sánchez Vizcaíno family opened the doors to its winery in Laujar de Andarax in 1998, and today it is a leader in the world of ecological wine. Its delicious breakfast, served with local produce, is an excellent reason to ascend to its lands, which are located almost 1,000 metres above sea level. It also grants you the chance to witness the grape harvest and learn about the process up close. "This isn't just another wine, it's more than a wine," they state.
Cauzón Winery (Graena, Granada)
In addition to discovering its natural wines, this Granada winery suggests a guided cycling tourism route from Granada to its facilities in Graena. After four hours of pedalling, you'll have quite the appetite to savour the local cuisine, washed down by "signature wines" (signed, in this case, by the winemaker Ramón Saavedra). Respect the times and don't resort to artificial shortcuts, is the winemaking philosophy of this winery.
Joaquín Fernández Winery (Ronda, Malaga)
Joaquín Fernández learned his trade in the winemaking tradition of Puente Genil - where he comes from - although it was the Serranía de Ronda that captured his heart. Since then, Finca Los Frutales, flanked by Sierra de las Nieves and Sierra de Grazalema, has served as his homeland to produce some ecological wines based on Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet, Sauvignon and Grenache grapes. The best thing about visiting these vineyards is that you can do so on horseback! They also have a country house on the estate adjoining the winery. We're sure some great nights have been had here...
Robles Ecological Winery (Montilla, Cordoba)
Montilla is almost synonymous with wine. The Montilla-Moriles Denomination of Origin speaks for itself. The ecological wines of this winery follow natural ageing due to family tradition. Piedra Luenga is the name of a wine that, as its developers say, is based on the principles of respect for the environment that their parents and grandparents instilled in them. Its ecological vineyards can be visited in groups of 10 people (book in advance) and they include the "Sigue tu cepa" programme (vineyard patronage), knowledge of biological ageing under a yeast layer and, of course, a wine tasting.
Colonias de Galeón (Cazalla de la Sierra, Seville)
Elena Viguera, from a philological past, along with her partner, Julián Navarro, set up this successful, award-winning winery in Seville's Sierra Norte, specifically in Cazalla de la Sierra. Ecological products were not as popular in the 90s, but she believed too many chemicals were being used. Their ecological wines travel from the vine to the table with the smallest amount of intervention possible. Give them a try!
