Your private driver will pick you up at your hotel, and you will be swept away for a full day in the Ronda Winelands, part of the DO Sierras of Malaga. While this ancient wine region has produced wine for over two millennia, it has garnered significant attention from wine connoisseurs in the last decade. Celebrated wine writer John Radford wrote the ‘dream has taken hold’ praising the rise of Ronda’s wines. The minimal restrictions on grape varieties permitted have encouraged successful experimentation with a wide range of international varietals.
On this marvelous wine tour of the Ronda region, you will try some terrific wines at two different style wineries; Doña Felisa Winery (Chinchilla), founded by a husband and wife team originally from Rioja, and then at the captivating Descalzos Viejos wine estate.
For lunch, your chauffeur will take you into the town of Ronda and deliver you to Ronda’s top restaurant, where you will be treated to a tasting menu designed specifically for you. You will not be disappointed.
After lunch, take a digestif stroll through Ronda, a genuinely fascinating town, distributed in two quarters on either side of the Tajo del Ronda gorge; here, you will admire some of the most spectacularly preserved ancient architecture from the Arab baths, Real Maestranza bullring, and the bridges that join the two halves of the town.
Have you ever dreamt of a bespoke wine tour in a rising star region? If you are a couple or a group of friends looking for a wine excursion to an exciting and up-and-coming wine region, this Ronda adventure is for you. Contact us today and start planning your bespoke wine tour of the Ronda Winelands.
Signature journey
Highlights include Elite Transportation, VIP tour and tasting at renowned wineries, Gourmet Experience, and Expert-guided Tour.
Day 1Ronda
Bodega Descalzos Viejos, Ronda
9:00 a.m: You will be picked up at your hotel by your elegant driver and luxury Mercedes and head inland, passing the stunning Sierra de las Nieves nature reserve towards Ronda town. As the rugged terrains of the Sierra de las Nieves nature reserve transition to rolling vineyards, the acclaimed Winelands of Ronda emerge on the horizon. Their acclaim didn’t come overnight, but a turning point was undoubtedly the high-profile Wine Symposium in April 2008, attracting the world’s most revered wine critics, such as Jancis Robinson.
It brought much attention to this burgeoning boutique wine industry and took the wine press by storm. You will have a fabulous day today and learn all about these up-and-coming wines at two of the most interesting small wineries. The Doña Felisa Winery (Chinchilla) is the first stop, here after a VIP tour and personalized tasting of their terrific wines, namely Cloe Chardonnay, Chinchilla Seis + Seis Crianza, Chinchilla Doble Doce Reserva and Chinchilla Maestro (their stunning Moscatel)
Your second winery visit is the atmospheric Descalzos Viejos wine estate underneath Ronda’s cliffs. Architects Flavio Salesi and Paco Retamero masterfully restored a 16th-century chapel from the Convent of S. Trinity XVI, giving birth to this breathtaking estate. They zealously restored the chapel that echoes with centuries of whispered prayers to its former glory and then planted vineyards in the 15 hectares of fertile land once belonging to the monks from the Los Descalzos Order. Flavio is charming and an effervescent host; he will enthusiastically lead you through tasting their DV+09, DV Aires 09, and DV Rufina 11, which are utterly spectacular.
2:30 p.m: For lunch, prepare to be dazzled at Ronda’s premier Michelin-starred restaurant, Bardal. Since its inauguration in 2016, the dynamic Catalan chef, Benito Gómez, has captivated diners with his flair and innovation. Although he’s renowned for his opulent 21-course extravaganzas, today we have tailored a more concise tasting menu for you. This features exquisite dishes such as dry pickled figs, Tuna belly combined with smoked oixgarum (a Roman-era fish sauce enhanced with sherry vinegar), the Brazilian-favored Top Sirloin Cap, Red mullet complemented by a vibrant green pepper sauce, a refreshing Sardine salad, and Quail sumptuously stuffed with Catalan sausage. Each dish is thoughtfully paired with select local wines, ensuring an unforgettable culinary journey.
After your fabulous lunch, you will appreciate a digestive walk and tour with a local expert guide; what better place than in the breathtakingly beautiful mountaintop town of Ronda. Learn about Ronda’s tumultuous history in its historic quarter, with reflections on its Arabic past in the well-preserved baths and the genuinely outstanding gardens of the Mondragon Palace. Highlights include the Real Maestranza bullring. This is one of the oldest and most picturesque in Spain and was built by the same architect, Jose Martin Aldehuela, who built the Puente Nuevo.
6:30/7 PM: As the sun heads west, your chauffeur will ensure a relaxed journey back to your hotel, rounding off an exquisite day immersed in Ronda’s rich tapestry of tastes and tales. May the flavors and stories of today linger, much like the notes of the fine wines you tasted. We hope you’ve had a great day!
Cellar Tours private itineraries include chauffeur-led transportation, carefully selected hotels, winery appointments, restaurant planning, and practical support before and during your journey.
Depending on the destination and proposal, your tour may also include private guides, tastings, special experiences, cultural visits, regional transfers, and dining reservations.
Your custom proposal will clearly show what is included, what is optional, and what is not included.
Our custom itineraries include chauffeur-led transportation, carefully selected hotels, private winery appointments & tastings, restaurant planning, and support before and during your travel.
International flights, travel insurance, personal expenses, optional spa treatments, gratuities and meals or tastings not listed in your itinerary are usually not included unless specifically stated.
All itineraries are private and pre-arranged for your party.
Yes, 100%. Share mobility considerations, allergies, dietary preferences, and pacing needs early so we can adapt hotels, transport, restaurants, and visits wherever possible.
Scott and Pamela, New York
It’s obvious that you only visit the most friendly and personable wineries. We did enjoy the contrast of our day which featured one more family oriented winery and the other with more name recognition
It was a real treat to see what opportunities await for a winery and where another’s success had already come to be realized. What we did love was when it came to the tasting – one of the winemakers was impressed with the selection of vintages arranged for our tour! Everything met and exceeded our expectations!
