Organic Wine Tasting, Ronda

Ronda's slowly, but surely, up-and-coming wine region is known for its small-scale wineries and organic, biodynamic varietals. And what's great about these vineyards is that many are within the city limits—or at least in the surrounding agricultural valley. Today's excursion takes you to just the foot of Ronda's famed Puente Nuevo, where a small organic winery awaits. 

You'll meet your guide at the winery itself, enjoying the scenic walk down to the gorge on a designated trail (or you can take a taxi to get there). The Guadalevín River snakes through El Tajo Gorge and creates rich soil for Ronda and its surroundings. That's why you'll see plenty of farms, olive groves, and vineyards in the area. New generations of local agricultural specialists are interested in protecting the region's fragile natural environment, and with this focus comes a new wave of agricultural tourism in Spain.

The winery you'll visit is a small, sustainable, organic estate focusing on biodynamic wines. Its goal is to reintroduce local varieties of grapes and reduce the use of added sulfides and chemicals. It's a family-owned, 7.5-acre (3-hectare) vineyard, and you'll start by meeting the owners out in the vines. Stroll through the grapes and discover how the vineyard focuses on biodynamic techniques. These start at the very beginning with caring for the soil and stretch all the way to sustainable wine production.

Next, head inside to view the production facilities and continue learning about wine production and organic practices. Then, sit down with your hosts and enjoy a wine tasting paired with local, organic, and seasonal snacks. Get a crash course on tasting wine, deciphering different flavors and acidity, and enjoy sipping in the beautiful countryside.