La Encina del Inglés Red Wine 2024 – Sierras de Málaga

Finca La Melonera is an ambitious wine project located in the Serranía de Ronda, within the Sierras de Málaga Denomination of Origin. Its origins date back to the spring of 2003, when a passionate team set out to revive for the region a winemaking tradition spanning more than 3,000 years, which had been interrupted at the end of the 19th century by the devastating phylloxera plague. Inspiration came through the pages of a book written in 1807 by botanist Simón de Rojas Clemente, which detailed the viticultural richness of the Serranía de Ronda. The winery, built in 2012, is buried seven metres underground to maintain a stable temperature naturally, integrating harmoniously into the landscape and following the natural contours of the terrain. The estate covers around 200 hectares situated between 650 and 950 metres above sea level, allowing thermal fluctuations of up to 20 degrees between day and night, in both summer and winter, lending remarkable aromatic complexity and freshness to its wines. The project is led by four shareholders, including Grupo Perelada, which oversees the winemaking operations. La Melonera's philosophy rests on two fundamental pillars: the recovery of native grape varieties on the verge of extinction—such as Tintilla de Rota, Blasco, Corchero Tinta, Melonera, Quiebratinajas, Morisco and Platera—and the cultivation of excellence in perfect harmony with the natural environment. No pesticides or chemicals are used, and even the seeds for non-vine crops are extracted from the estate's own produce. Among its most acclaimed wines are Payoya Negra and La Encina del Inglés. Payoya Negra 2011 was awarded a Gold Medal at the 39th edition of the Challenge International du Vin. It is also worth noting that the Melonera grape variety, which gives the winery its name, occupies one hectare of cultivation, currently the largest surface area in the world dedicated to this grape.