🍷 At The Sun Places, luxury is also found in culture and knowledge.
That's why we invite you to discover CIMA and Manzanilla, the gateway to the soul of Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Inaugurated in June 2021 at Las Covachas, an emblematic 15th-century building, CIMA (Manzanilla Interpretation Centre) is much more than a museum: it is a sensory journey that immerses you in the universe of Manzanilla, the unique wine that can only be aged in this land.
With The Sun Places, we want this experience to be part of your luxury stay, offering you the chance to walk the same paths as those who have made Manzanilla a symbol of identity and to understand why Sanlúcar de Barrameda is the home of one of the world's most singular wines.
CIMA and Manzanilla are inseparable. The Manzanilla Interpretation Centre is the perfect place to begin your wine journey through Sanlúcar de Barrameda.
Inaugurated in June 2021, the centre has quickly established itself as a cultural and wine tourism reference in the Marco de Jerez, receiving around 20,000 visitors annually.
Its location at Las Covachas, a late 15th-century architectural complex at Cuesta de Belén, 2, in the heart of the historic centre, makes it an exceptional setting that reflects the historical and cultural richness of the territory where Manzanilla is born.
CIMA not only explains the history of this unique wine, but also awakens in the visitor the curiosity to discover the wineries, historic centres and gastronomy of Sanlúcar de Barrameda.
The inseparable relationship between CIMA and Manzanilla
Manzanilla and Sanlúcar de Barrameda are inseparable, and CIMA and Manzanilla are the expression of that union.
It is not merely a wine produced in the city, but a direct expression of its landscape, its climate, its winery architecture, its traditions and its way of life.
CIMA was born precisely with the purpose of explaining this relationship and helping visitors understand why Manzanilla can only be aged in Sanlúcar de Barrameda and what elements make its extraordinary uniqueness possible.
Through its permanent exhibition, visitors delve into the history of this wine, learn about the evolution of its production and understand its importance within the economic, social and cultural development of the city.
The wineries of CIMA and Manzanilla
CIMA is managed by the Manzanilla Foundation, a non-profit organisation created by the wineries themselves to defend and promote the local wine.
This foundation brings together practically all the manzanilla wineries, making CIMA a common and neutral space where all collaborate to disseminate the culture of Manzanilla.
Among the wineries that are part of this foundation are the most emblematic of the city:
- Barbadillo Winery (1821): with its brands Solear, Muy Fina, Pastora and Castillo de San Diego, it is one of the most important family groups in the Marco de Jerez
- Hidalgo-La Gitana Winery (1792): famous for its emblematic manzanilla La Gitana, and its generous wines such as Pastrana (aged manzanilla), Napoleón (amontillado) and Faraón (oloroso)
- Delgado Zuleta Winery (1744): the oldest winery in the Marco de Jerez, known for its manzanillas La Goya and Barbiana, and its limited editions such as Goya XL
- José Estévez S.A. Winery - La Guita (1809): owner of the manzanilla La Guita, leader of the national market, and other wines such as the fino Tío Mateo and the oloroso Almirante
- Barón Winery (1631): one of the oldest wineries in the area, with its renowned Manzanilla Barón, Xixarito or Micaela
- La Cigarrera Winery (1758): a stockist since 1758 that since 1998 markets its own brands, including manzanillas, amontillados, olorosos and sweet wines.
These wineries, together with others such as Barrero Winery, Juan Piñero Winery and Herederos de Argüeso Winery, among others, make up the wine-growing ecosystem that CIMA and Manzanilla represent and disseminate. All of them collaborate in the organisation of the Manzanilla Week and in the centre's outreach activities.
Las Covachas: the historic setting of CIMA and Manzanilla
CIMA is located in Las Covachas, one of the most emblematic and unique architectural complexes in Sanlúcar de Barrameda.
Located in the heart of the historic centre, these late 15th-century arcaded galleries constitute a space of great artistic and heritage value, attached to the Palace of the Dukes of Medina Sidonia, with which they share their declaration as a historic-artistic monument.
Its location allows the visitor's experience to begin in an enclave that reflects, by itself, the historical and cultural richness of the territory where Manzanilla is born.
The exhibition route of CIMA and Manzanilla: from vineyard to glass
The exhibition route of CIMA pays special attention to the territory and the vineyard landscape, showing the relevance of the albariza soils, the influence of the Atlantic Ocean, the proximity of the Guadalquivir River and the particular climatic conditions of Sanlúcar.
All these factors configure an exceptional environment that decisively influences the ageing and organoleptic characteristics of Manzanilla.
Winery architecture also occupies an essential place in the interpretive discourse, showing how the wineries of Sanlúcar are not merely storage and ageing spaces, but buildings conceived to favour specific environmental conditions.
Visitors can also learn about the unique biological ageing system used to obtain Manzanilla.
Under a layer of yeast known as the flor, the wine ages protected from direct contact with oxygen, thus acquiring the freshness, delicacy and character that distinguish it.
The traditional system of criaderas and solera, passed down and perfected over generations, completes a production process deeply linked to knowledge, experience and winery trades.
The people who make CIMA and Manzanilla possible
CIMA also focuses on the people who make Manzanilla possible. Vineyard workers, foremen, oenologists, arrumbadores, venenciadores and winery workers are part of an essential human heritage, sustained by knowledge and techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation.
Giving visibility to these trades is a way of recognising their contribution to the conservation of a living wine culture.
The tasting room of CIMA and Manzanilla: a space to discover and enjoy
The tasting room at CIMA is another of the great pillars of its activity. Conceived as a space for dissemination, training and meeting, it hosts a continuous programme of tastings and experiences aimed at very diverse audiences.
They involve both people approaching Manzanilla for the first time, as well as enthusiasts, hospitality professionals, sector specialists and wine connoisseurs.
These activities allow visitors to discover the diversity within Manzanilla itself, learn about the particularities of the different wineries and brands, and learn to identify their characteristics through tasting.
The centre also develops training activities, meetings with wineries, presentations, gastronomic proposals and special actions aimed at broadening knowledge of Manzanilla and bringing it to new audiences.
This programme makes CIMA a dynamic space, in constant dialogue with the wine sector and society.
CIMA and Manzanilla in Manzanilla Week
CIMA plays a central role in the celebration of Manzanilla Week, which was held from 22 to 28 June 2026.
During these seven days, CIMA organises and collaborates in more than 25 activities, including tastings in different formats and schedules, guided tours and thematic tours of the city's wineries.
Manzanilla Week helps to make visible the enormous diversity of experiences that can be developed around this wine and reinforces its presence in the cultural and tourism programme of Sanlúcar.
CIMA and Manzanilla as the gateway to the wine universe
CIMA functions as the gateway to the universe of Manzanilla and as a starting point to discover the wine culture of the city.
Its work makes it possible to channel visitors' interest towards the wineries, tasting experiences and the different heritage resources related to wine, thus contributing to generating greater knowledge of the destination and prolonging the stay and experience in the city.
The centre also plays an important role in articulating the wineries that make up the Manzanilla Foundation, public administrations, institutions, the tourism sector, the hospitality industry and visitors.
What CIMA and Manzanilla represent for Sanlúcar and The Sun Places
CIMA and Manzanilla are the gateway to the soul of Sanlúcar de Barrameda. They represent the history, culture and identity of a city that has turned its wine into a symbol of excellence.
For The Sun Places, CIMA is a natural extension of our philosophy of offering authentic luxury experiences.
That's why our Luxury Apartments in Sanlúcar de Barrameda are the ideal starting point to explore this centre and all the cultural richness of the city.
CIMA is, in short, a space to discover, understand and enjoy Manzanilla. A meeting point between history and present, between wineries and visitors, between tradition and dissemination.
CEO's word: At The Sun Places we have had the privilege of discovering CIMA and Manzanilla on our routes through Sanlúcar de Barrameda, and each visit fascinates us more. The combination of history, dissemination and the connection with the essence of the city make it a unique experience. But there is something that makes it even more special: the passion with which Ana, its guide and the soul of the centre, transmits the knowledge of Manzanilla, its secrets and its history. Her gaze, her wisdom and her way of telling the story of the wine turn every visit into an unforgettable journey. I encourage you to discover it and let yourself be seduced by Manzanilla, by its history and by the immense human value behind every glass.
The perfect plan with The Sun Places to discover CIMA and Manzanilla
Friday: Arrival and first immersion in Manzanilla
- Afternoon: Visit to CIMA and tour of its permanent exhibition on CIMA and Manzanilla.
Saturday: Immersion in wine culture
- Night: Dinner at Restaurante Mirador de Doñana with manzanilla pairing.
Sunday: Nature and farewell
- Afternoon: Shopping for local products at the Market and return home.
Ready to discover CIMA and Manzanilla with The Sun Places?
📞 Contact us and let us organise your luxury experience: private visits, exclusive tastings and a concierge service at your disposal.
If you want to continue discovering Spain hand in hand with The Sun Places, don't miss our Luxury Apartments in Barcelona, Luxury Apartments in Seville, Luxury Apartments in Cádiz, and of course, our Luxury Accommodation in Sanlúcar de Barrameda.
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