Documents exist about the beginnings of grape-growing in the area in the 14th century, although there are earlier references to wine being exchanged between
Tartessians and Greeks and to consignments being sent to Rome. Furthermore, there is proof that the first consignment of wines sent to the Indies left from Villalba
del Alcor in 1502.
During the 14th century, the region grew in importance, both socially and economically. Such were the quality and volume of wine produced that Seville was forced to
pass new protective wine trade bylaws to safeguard its own market. From that time onwards, grape-growing became established and began to flourish; the cropping area
was expanded, vineyards were well-tended and growing techniques improved – to the point that during the century that followed these wines saw their heyday, and were
exported both to the New World and to European countries such as the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The region also attracted people from other parts of Spain,
such as vintners from La Rioja, who settled in the area in the 18th century and brought new splendour to its wine production during the 19th.
Did you know...
...The Zalema grape originated in El Condado de Huelva and is very difficult to find outside the Spanish mainland?
However, in the late 19th century the vine parasite philoxera decimated the industry, which only recovered in the 1920's. The reestablishment of production was
greatly assisted by the creation in 1932 of the Brand of Origin "Huelva" which, in 1979, changed its name to "Condado de Huelva". To this D.O. was added a
second one, "Condado de Huelva Wine Vinegar", in 2002. Along with all this, new farming and wine-producing techniques and some specialist wine events were introduced.
El Condado has over 4,000 hectares of vineyards, producing an average of 40 million kilograms of grapes per year and providing work for some 2,400 grape-growers.
Different types of grape are grown in them: the Zalema (which originated in Huelva and occupies 86% of the area planted with vines), Listán de Huelva, Palomino Fino,
Garrido Fino, Moscatel de Alejandría and Pedro Ximénez. As at 2008, there are 36 wineries producing under the D.O. and their wines are exported to numerous countries,
especially Holland, the United Kingdom and Germany.
As for the process which wine follows, it begins with the harvest and continues with the pressing of the grapes to obtain the must; the vatting of the must and its
preparation for fermentation; fermenting and ageing according to the desired characteristics of the wine; and bottling.
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