These monuments to gastronomy are in Andalusia and are sure to delight you
Gastronomy tourism is an increasingly popular trend in which travelling to taste the local cuisine is a perfect excuse to discover new places. As well as being home to monuments and nature routes, Andalusia offers lovers of fine food and drink a number of must-visit destinations that blend architecture with gastronomy.
The Sherry Region wineries are an essential stop for wine lovers. These "wine cathedrals", all with PDO, are among the most visited in Spain and Europe. Sherries from Jerez and Manzanilla from Sanlúcar.
The wineries are not only handsome on an aesthetic level but are also highly functional, having been built to accommodate the needs associated with ageing the wines of , known as sherries. The thick walls and dark interiors create an aura of mystery and are specially designed to regulate the temperature and humidity, while the small windows shielded with esparto blinds regulate the light and dust.
Outside, the south facades of the wineries are protected by trees that form a green screen and by the pergolas over the streets that absorb the sun's rays. In winter, these green canopies lose their leaves, allowing the sun's rays to penetrate and warm the winery at night.
The bodega González Byass, more popularly known simply as Tío Pepe, is the most visited winery in Andalusia and is almost as large as a town. Bodega de La Concha is a visually stunning cellar with an iron structure based on sketches attributed to Gustav Eiffel. Calle Ciegos is a private cobblestone street that you can explore when you visit the winery. It's also open to guests staying at the Hotel Tío Pepe. Another must-see winery is Williams & Humbert. With 70,000 square metres it's the largest in Europe and houses more than 60,000 American oak barrels.
Bodegas Lustau is another cathedral-style winery. Spread across more than 20,000 square metres, it has an interior courtyard and six ageing cellars dating from different periods. The Sherry and Manzanilla Region is home to a fascinating collection of wineries that are well worth a visit.
As well as wines, tourists can sample Andalusian cuisine and the local products in the many restaurants in the area. The Sherry Region wineries are an excellent option for anyone looking for a unique gastronomy experience and a visit to one of the most emblematic places in Andalusia.
