Conde de los Andes doesn't stop

Conde de los Andes continues to evolve. The production facilities are expanded, the visitor reception spaces are renewed. Above all, we continue to open old "calaos", or ancient wine caves, which are adapted and added to what is surely one of the most genuine and exciting wine tourism experiences in the Spanish wine-making scene.

As if it were a quick tour guide, the following presents four crucial locations that symbolize the recent changes in our Ollauri winery.

 

1. The (new) main facade

For centuries it was a secondary entrance, but since we re-opened the winery in 2015, has become the main door. In recent times two simple elements have reinforced this preeminent role: on both sides of the door, two plaques welcome visitors. One of them recognizes the winery as the winner of the Best of Wine Tourism international award in 2017.

Through the sliding glass door, the fantastic reception hall can be seen. For visitors it's both a functional and aesthetic anteroom to the wonders that await them in the underground.

 

2. 'Calao de los Candiles', more emblematic than ever

It's undoubtedly one of the most memorable places for visitors. Because of its size, its special atmosphere and especially because this is where Cristina and Eli, our wine tourism managers, take a bottle of the 2005 vintage from the wine rack and open it on site to our visitors' surprise. Tasting an old wine in a place like this takes the wine experience into a dimension never before experienced. It's one of those moments that confirm the almost supernatural character of wine.

3. New bottles in old calaos

Some of the spectacular underground corridors return to their original role: to keep the quiet aging of the wine bottles. Thus, in the calaos that lie below the current production facilities, we have installed new wine racks, which seem to welcome the passage of visitors on their way to the barrel room, a large place defined by the sobriety of concrete.

 

4. Soon, the Calao Solidario

One of the most recent actions is the rehabilitation of a small cave adjacent to the so-called Calao de los Blancos. Its dating could go back at least to the XVI century. In this place, of just 8 square meters, we have foreseen the installation of Fundación Maga 'Calao Solidario', that will be dedicated to present the activities of our charity organization and to host related events. W'ill continue reporting soon."