If you have ever visited a vineyard or distillery or beer production plant, I am sure you, like me, have been amazed at the processes they use to create these yummy drinks for us to enjoy. All the big shiny vats filled with liquids that are "brewing" over time....getting ready to be bottled and shipped off around the world. However if you really want to know how something so wonderful (like wine) is made, I suggest you do what Mads and I did.... head into the mountains of Malaga and find a local vineyard that is committed to creating the best wine possible, the OLD-FASHIONED WAY!
After driving about 30 minutes north of Malaga around, up into the mountains on tiny winding roads that offer a fantastic view, you come to a simple gate leading to a big wooden door.... and it is here that you find
BODEGA ANTIGUA CASA DE GUARDIA.
There are no tours to sign up for and no fees to pay. You just show up and are greeted by the owner/grower/wine maker/delivery man/etc... He is a wonderful gentleman (but does not speak much English so bring your dictionary!) and is so happy to show you around his Bodega filled with barrels containing his home-grown wines.
There are no computer systems with record of his inventory....just these hand written notes on the end of each barrel... telling you when each batch was created and which wine the barrel contains. There are no special bottling machines or graphics artists making the bottles' labels... there is just this man and his family-owned business, making some of the most delicious wine I have ever tasted! Which is saying A LOT because I am much more of a beer-gal than a wine-lady!
And he is so pleased that you want to try his wines. He has this special little cup that he uses to fetch you samples of whichever kind (or KINDS) you would like to try... STRAIGHT from the barrel! It was an awesome experience to see how it was done in the pre-technology days and it was so cool to see how proud this man was of his product! If you are ever in the Malaga area, I encourage you to go there! It is not a long drive and it is SO worth it! But bring cash because like most "mom and pop places", he doesn't take credit cards.
And then if you want to try a little more of his wines after you leave, head back into downtown Malaga to the OLDEST TAVERN in the city....Antigua Casa Guardia, EST 1840. The only place in town where you can taste all of his wines. But be ready to stand up while you sample ! The bar has no chairs and is constantly filled with people coming in for a little sample!
And the pics on the wall of the tavern prove that this place was popular with the MOST FAMOUS of Malaga's locals......
There are no tours to sign up for and no fees to pay. You just show up and are greeted by the owner/grower/wine maker/delivery man/etc... He is a wonderful gentleman (but does not speak much English so bring your dictionary!) and is so happy to show you around his Bodega filled with barrels containing his home-grown wines. 
5 comments:
Wow - what an amazing experience. I love it when people still take their handicraft or art seriously...
There is only one way to do wine, and it is in wooden barrels!!!
And once the wine is bottled, the wood can be used to do BBQs and it would give the steak and extraordinay winy taste...MMMMHHHHHH
Sounds wonderful, I'd love to visit a winery someday!!! Oh and I love your shoes...I have some, actually they are Sarah's but I've hijacked them...she says they make me look youthful, so I'm not letting them go!!! hahahaha!!
There's that dirty old Picasso again!
If you ever come to the Napa Valley I will make reservations for you at a winery on top of a mountain that will be a similar experience. It is also a family winery and is not listed on most maps of the Napa Valley. My son gave me a tour where you taste from the barrel. It was great.But they do take plastic!
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