Rondas growing wine industry.

Ronda is famous for its ancient bullring, the height defying bridge that spans the impressive gorge, el Tajo, its spectacular fortress like location and the beautiful scenery that surrounds it. However recently Ronda has also become famous for its growing wine industry. Until a couple of decades ago there wasnt really a wine industry to speak of, although the region has in the past been an important wine growing area; infact in Roman times the local currency even featured a bunch of grapes on one side of the coinage. Unfortunately the ancient vineyards were wiped out by Phylloxera in the 19th century and it dropped into obscurity until in 1982 a German, Friedrich Schatz decided to plant some vines, realising that high daytime temperatures combined with low night time temperatures were the ideal growing conditions for vine growing. His organic vineyard is now one of the best in the area and has won several awards. Since then he has been joined by many others; some local Spaniards but also Germans, Argentinians and Austrians.

The main varieties to be found are Shiraz/Syrah, Petit Verdot, Tempranillo and Cabernet-Sauvignon and also the local Romé, and after serious lobbying the wine growers have managed to achieve the areas wines to have their own “Designation of Origin Malaga – Serranía de Ronda”. If you are a wine lover but dont quite know where to start, most of the local wines can be tried by the glass at a small wine bar called Entre Vinos on Calle Pozo just round the corner from the Alameda Park. Owner Javier has more than 12 varieties to try by the glass and stocks an extensive range to be ordered by the bottle. They also serve delicious tapas all presented with style and at reasonable prices; they are closed all day Sunday and Monday lunch, but are otherwise open everyday lunchtimes and evenings. Just around the corner on Calle Molino is the amazing wine shop Placer ego run by Fernando Angulo that stocks all the local wines plus over a thousand more varieties from around Spain and the rest of the world. So if you are planning a trip to Ronda and like a good tipple you are in for a serious treat.

Insider tips on the best tapas bars in Ronda update

Ok its been nearly two years since I wrote the last post on where to get good tapas in Ronda, and feel its time to update just a little. All the places I mentioned in the first post are still great options but since then there are a couple of new places that really deserve a mention. The first is a small but fantastic bar called Entre Vinos on the Calle Lauria Pozo just up from the Parque Alameda, that combines the highly acclaimed wines of Ronda some of which are also Organic, available by the glass and some wonderful tapas. The bar is decorated stylishly and run by a young couple who are both friendly and helpful, there are digital slide shows of the most famous vineyards of the Serrania de Ronda and you can delight the taste buds with local cheeses, Iberian pork and my personal favourite the Pato Confitada or Duck Confit.

Not quite so chic are the bars that have opened up just infront of the Bus Station overlooking the municipal free carpark. I did mention Los Caracoles in the first post, but this bar has now been joined by several others all offering fantastic fish tapas, whitebait amongst the best. Its not quite the scenic environment associated with Ronda but its 100% authentic and atmospheric and allways packed lunchtimes and evenings with locals out for a quick, good,cheap bite.

I have to mention the bars in the Barrio San Franscisco, which really are amongst the best not only for the food but also for the setting. In the main Plaza of the Barrio lined with ancient trees you can enjoy a variety of excellent tapas, tortitas de camarones, smoked stuffed salmon or maybe a palm heart salad. Its a great place to take the kids as theres a nice little play ground within viewing distance and it really is full of Spanish families, from greatgrandmothers to little babies. The main Bar Sanfranscisco (pictured) is one option, or if you want something more elaborate the Almocabar on the oposite corner also has a terraced dining area in the square. If you really want to push the boat out you could try Casa Maria where the British chef Jamie Oliver decided to whet his appetite.