Culinary

“To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter… to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird’s nest or a wildflower in spring — these are some of the rewards of the simple life.”

John Burroughs

FOOD

Our open kitchen shows transparency and simplicity, which are essential values in our work. One of the cornerstones of our work is self-sufficiency and a direct connection from the garden to the table.

Every day we make raw milk cheese and butter from our sheep and goats, we make sourdough bread and combine it with the other products that the countryside provides us with, such as extra virgin olive oil and honey from our bees.

The farm is our source of inspiration and organic larder. The vegetables from the garden provide us with the nutrients that our dishes need, the animals that we raise such as cows, sheep, goats, geese and geese provide the proteins, and we make the most of our medicinal garden which, with its aromatic plants and flowers, decorates and vitalises our table.

We like to work with the environment and for this reason, the small amount of food that we do not produce we obtain from a network of nearby producers. We always try to ensure that they are local and have a working philosophy similar to our own.

WINES

Philosophy

All the wines served at La Donaira come from organic agriculture, but they must also be fermented without the addition of yeasts, and we do not allow any type of oenological correction. The maximum sulphite dosage we allow is 30-40 mg/l, although we prefer wines with no added sulphites.

We also attach great importance to the winery being small, and not being a well-known brand, and the most important thing is that we have to like the people and the story behind each project. We look for “Wines with Soul”.

Diversity

We have more than 350 references from all over Europe, of different styles and types. Including elaborations such as Orange Wines, Ancestral Wines, Sherry Wines, and everything that breaks the mould of the commonplace. We want our guests to have an experience of flavours and journeys that they have never tasted before. We cross our comfort zone to experience new sensations.

Our wines

Two projects led by the same Sommelier coexist on the estate:

The wines produced at La Donaira are from the vineyards that are planted on the estate. Currently, we have Petit Verdot which is a powerful and fleshy red wine; and the Blaufrankisch which is a light and electric red wine.

We have a collection we call “Memoria Líquida de La Donaira”, with wines from 2010 to 2016, which are more classic and inspired by the new world of Napa Valley, Argentina, Australia. Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

Roca Viva Wines’ is a project we collaborate with winegrowers from different regions of Andalusia, implementing our viticulture philosophy and rescuing old varieties from being uprooted and lost. Currently, we are working with the Alpujarra of Granada, looking for altitude and blue slate; with Manilva in Malaga, influenced by the Atlantic and with sand and albariza soils where the queen is the Moscatel; Montilla in Cordoba, where albariza and old PX vineyards predominate; and we are testing with the Palomino of Trebujena (Cadiz), in white soils of Albarizas. In this project, we are experimenting with different vinifications such as Ancestral, Orange, and reds blended with white grapes and long crianzas. With Roca Viva Wines we work in a very careful artisanal way, selecting grapes so that all of them are in the best condition possible. We also like to use earthenware jars for ageing.

Wine Pairing and Service

Every day we have light, fresh and fruity wines for lunch, and we try to use only national wines.

For dinner, we make a careful selection of wines to match the dish being served. This selection includes unique wines and many top-of-the-range wines, of which we have only a few bottles available for our guests to enjoy, accompanied by a story with a little prose and poetry.

The Extra Wine List

For those who want a specific bottle or want to drink one of these great and iconic wines without crossing over to the popular side, we have a list of wines that guests can order and taste at their leisure.

The Wine Tastings

Our Sommelier offers the possibility to have a private tasting where the theme is endless: Natural Iconic Wines, Andalusian Wines, Mediterranean Wines, Sherry Wines, Spanish Red Wines, Our Austrian connection, and Magic Bubbles …. Always according to the guest’s wishes, so that he/she can enjoy the experience to the fullest, accompanied by a bit of history.