I’m sure you have heard of or know Juzcar as the blue village, the smurf village; but it is so much more than this, which not many know about. Juzcar a surprising place surrounded by mountains, remotely hidden in the Serranía de Ronda, in the Genal Valley, Malaga province. A place where the environment is respected and enjoyed. A priviledged place to own a country house!
Tin factory to bodega
Juzcar’s history is so interesting as well, here is the first tin factory in Spain. It began to work in 1731, hidden away and taking advantage of the abundant wood of its forests and the strength of the waters of the Genal. It was ideal for being in a discreet and hardly-known place. At the time, tin fabrication was strategic, it is said that the German technicians came to Spain clandestinely in barrels, as it was forbidden to go abroad to avoid competition. There was a hidden room where the process came alive. Since those days, the factory has been meticulously restored, with period materials maintain its old and industrial charm. Following the rules of Feng Shui, based on the conscious harmonious occupation of space, in order to achieve this, a positive influence on the people who occupy it and the products that are produced in it. Now converted into a winery and rural hotel, its success continues to triumph.
Red, white, rosé…
Sweet wines are known for being produced in the province of Málaga, but, in the Serranía de Ronda mountains, we can find dry and calm red, white and rosé wine. In the old factory, they are elaborated with native vines from the Serranía de Ronda. They have rescued the Moorish Moscatel/Muscat grape, rated as the best white wine in Andalusia. In addition, the Tintilla de Ronda, and the plantation of Pinot Noir in the southernmost part of Spain, which are red wines full of body and character.
Here, the winemakers prove their love for their land, the origins of the Andalusian wine. They have a saying: “Lo que es de la tierra, debe volver a la tierra”. This means that what comes from the ground, should be returned to the ground. They study and respect the air that the grapes receive, the sunlight, the composition of the soil and always in contact with the grape. The result? Honest wines, 100% with personality, expressive, complex and fresh, and always following a scrupulous admiration to the environment.
Juzcar’s nature adventures
Next to the vineyards, the history and the blue village, there are also other activities to do in Juzcar, such as hiking or cycling. For the more adventurous, you can also do canyoning at the Sima del Diablo, the Devil’s Chasm. Just hearing the name sounds dangerous but is the ideal location for starting out in this activity, there is an abundance of water throughout the year, and you can also take dips in its numerous waterfalls and wells. Framed in the natural beauty of the landscape, blue Juzcar has so much to offer for those who wish to live in a country property in the middle of untouched nature, away from the busy city life, but not too far away from amenities.
The food from Juzcar also has its own history too! A typical meal is “Saltavallao”, and it is said that anyone who eats a plate of this, they are able to jump any fence, thanks to the strength that is gained just by eating it! Fascinating!
Juzcar is located at just 30 minutes from the city of Ronda, and 50 minutes from the coast, San Pedro de Alcantara with its beaches.
Danielle Ernstsen | 14th March 2023
