At THE SUN PLACES we want to take you to discover this unique corner, now revitalised by an ambitious luxury wine tourism project that promises to make Bodegas Góngora an international benchmark.
📜History of Bodegas Góngora: 350 years of uninterrupted tradition
The history of Bodegas Góngora dates back to 1682, when Don José de Góngora y Arando acquired the old Hacienda de San Rafael, which was renamed Hacienda "Pata de Hierro". However, the roots of this estate are even deeper: as early as 1574 there are documents that explicitly cite the Hacienda de San Rafael and describe its characteristics.
Bodegas Góngora was born in the heat of wine exports to the New World, at a time when Seville was the Port of the Indies. The so-called Third of Local Produce obliged the fleet to reserve space for local agricultural products, and since ships needed to stock up on liquid, the best way to comply with this regulation was to export wine. This led to a veritable boom in vine cultivation in Seville, both in the Aljarafe and in the Sierra Norte.
The winery survived complex historical moments, such as the transfer of the Port of the Indies to Cádiz and the subsequent creation of the Jerez Denomination of Origin, which prohibited the entry of wines from outside the region and led many winemakers from the Aljarafe to conversion or disappearance. Bodegas Góngora resisted, remaining in the hands of the same family for eight generations until a few years ago.
🏛️A Historic-Artistic Monument: the architectural jewel of Bodegas Góngora
The Bodegas Góngora complex, also known as Hacienda Pata de Hierro, is registered in the General Catalogue of Andalusian Historical Heritage and declared a Site of Cultural Interest. It remains in its original use, preserving all the necessary elements for the transformation of the fruit and the production of wine.
The true jewel in the crown is the old wine press with its Screw Beam and Quintal press, a colossal machine 17 metres long and weighing 15 tonnes. This press, made of Flemish pinewood with a single-piece ebony screw from Mozambique, already appears cited in documents from 1574. It is the only one in the world that has operated uninterruptedly for five centuries in the same location where it was originally installed.
The complex is structured around a large interior patio and is made up of several winery sections, each with its own name. In the small winery called "Pata de Hierro", the family's oldest wines rest in century-old casks that preserve authentic liquid relics.
🍷The wines of Bodegas Góngora: Why are they so good?
Located in Villanueva del Ariscal, in the heart of the Sevillian Aljarafe, at 126 metres above sea level and just 45 km from the Atlantic coast, Bodegas Góngora enjoys an ideal microclimate for wine production and aging.
The secret of its wines lies in the careful system of criaderas y soleras, a traditional method for the aging and maturation of fine and generous wines. The American oak casks are placed in rows, forming a complex system for transmitting qualities from one generation to another.
Among the most outstanding wines of Bodegas Góngora we find:
- Imperial Range: Includes olorosos, amontillados and Pedro Ximénez over 100 years old, preserved in casks dating from the 17th and 18th centuries.
- Brandy Solera Gran Reserva: Coming from distilled holandas from the 1928 harvest, classified as exceptional, which rests in the so-called "Brandy Cellar".
👥New owners: The Renaissance of a Sleeping Giant
The year 2021 marked a before and after in the history of Bodegas Góngora. It was then that the couple formed by José Manuel González, CEO of Howden Broking Group, and Rocío Romero, current president of the winery, took on the challenge of relaunching this centuries-old legacy with an ambitious vision linked to luxury wine tourism.
To do so, they surrounded the project with the best allies: the prestigious Seville architectural studio Eddea, led by Harald Schönegger, and a select group of investor friends, all united by the same passion: the love for good wine and Andalusian heritage.
The project, which aims to compete with the great Tuscan wineries, consists of three fundamental elements:
- Aljarafe Wine Museum: In the historic winery and press house of Bodegas Góngora, a museum space will be created showing the long history of the vine in Seville, from Tartessos to the present day.
- Boutique Hotel: In the main house of the courtyard, a small luxury hotel will be set up with just 12 rooms, very spacious and distributed around the historic patios and lounges.
- Events and Gastronomy Area: The space freed up after the relocation of the bottling plant (which will be located in an annex) will be used for events, with 4,000 square metres of gardens that will be renovated while maintaining the current vegetation.
- Ignacio Gallego-Góngora, representative of the eighth generation of the family saga, remains linked to the project as technical director, guaranteeing the continuity of ancestral knowledge at Bodegas Góngora.
🍇Tastings and visits to Bodegas Góngora: an experience for the senses
Currently, Bodegas Góngora offers the possibility of taking guided tours, which can be booked through THE SUN PLACES. During the tour, visitors can:
- Get to know the centuries-old facilities of Bodegas Góngora, with illustrated and educational explanations about the production process.
- Admire the 16th-century beam press, unique in the world still in operation.
- Stroll among casks over 400 years old.
- End the experience with a tasting of the most representative wines of Bodegas Góngora, including gems such as the Imperial Range or the 1928 Brandy.
📍Location and what Bodegas Góngora represents for the city of Seville
Bodegas Góngora is located in Villanueva del Ariscal, in the heart of the Sevillian Aljarafe, just 15 or 20 minutes from the centre of Seville. Its privileged location makes it the ideal getaway for wine tourism lovers seeking an authentic experience, away from the more conventional routes of Jerez or the Cádiz area.
At THE SUN PLACES we not only facilitate booking an exclusive tasting at this centuries-old winery, but we also provide you with a private transfer service so that your visit is comfortable, safe and completely worry-free. All you have to do is enjoy.
For the city of Seville, the revitalisation of Bodegas Góngora represents a unique opportunity to diversify the tourist offer beyond Holy Week, the Fair and the monuments, offering the city a product of the highest quality.
Two icons, one Andalusian legacy
For the traveller seeking excellence, THE SUN PLACES invites you to discover two of the great emblems of Andalusia, united by their general interest and their heritage character.
On the one hand, Bodegas Góngora, declared a Site of Cultural Interest, a living monument where wine has been made for more than four centuries and which treasures a unique press in the world.
On the other, the historic Sanlúcar de Barrameda Horse Races, a Festival of International Tourist Interest since 1997 and aspiring to be a World Heritage Site, a spectacle that every summer brings together thousands of people to witness the gallop of thoroughbreds at sunset on the beach.
Two experiences, one common thread: the preservation and enjoyment of the authentic Andalusian legacy.
🏡Experience Bodegas Góngora with THE SUN PLACES
Imagine waking up in one of our exclusive Luxury Apartments in Seville, having a leisurely breakfast and heading to the Aljarafe to discover the oldest winery in Andalusia: Bodegas Góngora. A half-day experience combining history, architecture, tradition and, of course, the best Sevillian wines.
At THE SUN PLACES we want your stay in Seville to be complete. That's why we offer you all the information and facilities so you can book your visit to Bodegas Góngora and immerse yourself in the living history of Sevillian wine.
👉 Contact us and book your accommodation with THE SUN PLACES to discover why Bodegas Góngora is the wine soul of Seville.