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The Autonomous Community of Castilla y León is located towards the north of the Iberian Peninsula, and is made up of 9 provinces, including Salamanca. The Sierra de Francia is located towards the southeast of this province and is one of the subdivisions of the Central System; it is said to be the region with the greatest natural, historical, geographical, traditional and cultural significance.
Its name is due to the fact that, in the 12th century, this Sierra was repopulated with people who came from France, from Gascony, and settled in this area, which is part of the Natural Park of the Sierra de Francia Batuecas and the Biosphere Reserve of the Sierras de Béjar-Francia. Landscapes characterized by mountains, wooded expanses and valleys through which both streams and rivers flow.
It is formed by 32 municipalities, and among them 6 villages of this Sierra de Francia have been declared historical-artistic sites; these are La Alberca, Miranda del Castañar, Mogarraz, Sequeros, San Martín del Castañar and Villanueva del Conde.
The Sierra de Francia offers unique experiences, either to enjoy alone, as a couple or with family and friends. An environment full of nature, culture, terraced vineyards, popular architecture, gastronomy, hiking, among others. The greatest treasure of the area is the variety of its native grape: the Rufete; cultivated in terraces since ancient times.
The Wine Route of the Sierra de Francia offers you to taste in each glass of wine a bit of its culture, heritage, subtle, unique and elegant wines; possibly obtained this legacy of this grape variety when the French arrived in the region of Salamanca in the Middle Ages.
What are the terraces in the Sierra de Francia?
The terraced structure is the way in which farmers have long been beating the terrain of the area, in order to cultivate their greatest treasure: the Rufete grape. The terraces are built with dry rock walls, stone on stone, without elements that unite them, only have the ingenuity of the builders, including some from Roman times.
No large machinery is used; only the experience, strength and determination of the farmers who understand and carry out this form of cultivation and work, thus obtaining wines with both national and international recognition; under the quality guarantee of the Protected Designation of Origin, or PDO.
It is a heroic agriculture that has been passed down from generation to generation, always respecting the environment, since most of the vineyards are within the Sierra de Béjar-Sierra de Francia Reserve and the Batuecas Park, the result of which is the survival of a unique native variety, the rufete grape, an alchemy of this area.
Let’s talk a little about the types of grapes from the Sierra de Francia:
These centenary vineyards are between 80 and 120 years old, and have passed through the hands of many generations that, despite the fact that the soil is mostly clayey and sandy, and with altitudes of up to 1000 m, the vines themselves seem to self-regulate every year, predicting excellent quality wines, including future vintages.
We have the Rufete Blanca, also called Verdejo. It is a type of grape that only grows in this area, with upright vines, small, compact clusters and hard-skinned berries that take on a golden color when ripe. Only about 7 hectares are cultivated, and many kilos are needed to produce 1 liter of wine, which is very subtle and with good acidity.
The Rufete Tinta. This plant also has a small and tight cluster, its berry is flattened, with medium size and a very fine skin; its color is dark bluish. The wines made with this grape variety show a bright red color and aromas of wild strawberries and raspberries, as well as herbaceous touches.
When tasted in the mouth it presents a remarkable, pleasant acidity and a delicate sweetness, with a medium alcoholic content. This Rufete, together with the Garnacha Tinta (also called Calabrés) and the Tempranillo or Aragonés, form the famous Triada Tinta of this area.
What awaits a traveler on the Sierra de Francia Wine Route?
There are really a lot of options. The list of the website “La Ruta del Vino de la Sierra de Francia” is long, with 56 different experiences. Among them, of course, of Enoturísticas type, with the tasting and tasting of its native jewels of wines, showing the visitor both the elaboration and visits to their wineries.
For example, there is the Cuarta Generación Winery, which allows us to walk among its vines. In addition, they have the Wine Museum, where you can learn all the details and local traditions. They also offer wine tastings along with delicious hams.
Also, in the Route of the Sierra de Francia, during the grape harvest season, cozy enclaves in hotels and rural houses open their doors to tourism. There are activities to enjoy with the family, cycling routes through these wild landscapes, stroll through the centuries-old vineyards or simply fly over them in a hot air balloon; all an emotion to the skin.
Likewise, hiking trails are offered in the Natural Park, with diverse flora and fauna; as well as its climate, which allows the production of olives, cherries, grapes or chestnuts; a rich cultural and historical-artistic heritage. Among the routes we have:
The Cepeda-Herguijuela de la Sierra-Madroñal Route:
This begins in the village of Cepeda, built on a pre-Roman castro, until you reach Sotoserrano; during the journey you will see the medieval bridge, oak forests, hazelnut, chestnut, holly, among others. Then, we continue towards Herguijuela, finding beautiful crops along the way.
The Circular Route of Madroñal:
We start right at this point, then in the direction of the cooperative and arrive at a fork. We recommend the left path, as it is a little softer, down through trees and orchards until you reach the path Cepeda-Herguijuela, with a little thick forest. Afterwards to an asphalted track, to arrive again to Madroñal.
El Camino de los Rodales:
A small route of 6.5 km in circular form around Miranda del Castañar, offering panoramic views of the Sierra de Francia. We can also contemplate the Caño Cachope in a detour a few meters away, in the middle of the route; where you can refresh yourself.
But there are also routes that are made in several days of great extension, formed by paths, trails and roads to move from one village to another. In addition, the mountainous route follows the course of the rivers Francia, Alagón and Cuerpo de Hombre. Along the way there are also different climatic influences at different altitudes, which produce diverse microclimates, perfect for such vegetation.
This journey passes through some of the 22 villages that make up the Route of the Sierra de Francia or parallel to them; 6 of which were declared Historic-Artistic. These are: La Alberca, Miranda del Castañar, Mogarraz, Sequeros, San Martín del Castañar and Villanueva del Conde; observing the terraces of the different vines.
Villages of cobblestone streets with rustic type houses and full of “tramoneras” or chestnut wood sticks that cross their walls. The Travesía is called Sierra de Francia, that is, it crosses the Natural Park of the Batuecas-Sierra de Francia along 48.5 km in an east-west direction.
Beginning the route here in the Natural Park, specifically in the municipality of Sotoserrano, a 1st stretch runs until we reach the village of Cepeda. Then we continue into pine, oak and holly forests, to reach Herguijuela de la Sierra and Madroñal. Then we cross the San Pedro del Coso stream, through the Dehesa Cepeda, a medieval style bridge, until we reach the municipality.
We continue the path between the crops of the farms reaching the Medieval Village of Miranda del Castañar. We follow the road parallel to the road to the village of Mogarraz, passing through some farms and half wild places until we reach the stone bridge of Los Tres Ojos.
Then you go up to Mogarraz, to go to Monforte de la Sierra; from here you can see views of the terraces of olive trees, cherry trees and, of course, vines. Now you walk through nature and reach the hermitage of Majadas Viejas; and along the way the Laguna de San Marcos, the hermitage in ruins and the viewpoint of the river Francia.
The idea is to observe the villages of San Martín del Castañar and the famous Casas del Conde. Then we head towards the village of La Alberca and finish at the Mirador de la Peña de Francia.
