The second winery we visited is Descalzos Viejos, a traditional moniker literally meaning “old unshoed ones”, which was a common name for certain orders of monks.  The winery is housed in the church and grounds of the old monastery. The site was completely abandoned when 2 architects from Ronda acquired it and restored it.  The nave of the 500 year old chapel is a unique and charming setting for the winery’s fermentation room! 

The vineyards were planted in 2000 over 16 hectares and the grape varieties include: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Garnacha, and a little bit of Chardonnay.  They are also working with an experimental patch of Graciano, a grape originally from Rioja that is showing excellent potential in other parts of Spain.  The winery does not intend to exceed production levels of 30,000 bottles per year.

The enologist is another young and dynamic face in the Ronda wine scene, Vicente Inat, who is originally from Alicante, in the Levante.  His philosophy definitely shows influence from the hot climates of Alicante, where wines are often big, powerful, with dark liqueur fruit. Vicente is the first to admit that his wines are not made in the most commercial style.  The norm in Spain is still soft, approachable wines in the traditional Rioja style.  In fact his wines are much more new world in style and will suit foreign palates much more….big, extracted, dark fruit, great new oak and huge tannins.  These wines need some time in bottle and then some aeration.  In fact I, as the only foreigner, was the one who most appreciated his red wines amongst our group.

He is really passionate about these wines….Vicente said that the special climate of his vineyards, very hot during the day and chilly at night, gives them their intense structure and uniqueness.  He makes two reds, one which is more approachable and fruity and the DV+, which I really loved…intense black fruit, big structure, French oak, big mature tannins.  A really impressive wine that impacts the mouth in every corner.   Also very interesting was his Chardonnay, a big, full-bodied wine, with tropical fruit, with some toasty oak and critically…fresh acidity to provide some balance.  Not for every palate, but a really interesting hot-weather Chard.

Any visit to the winery must include a tour of the old monastery gardens with their Moorish influences….beautiful…old fountains and pools, fruit trees, and a spectacular view off the cliff over the Ronda landscape.  It’s a really special experience to taste wines with the winemaker in this unique setting!

Quite hard to find, these wines can be bought online in Spain for between 10 and 20 euros.