The grape and wine growing region currently under Denominaciones de Origen Condado de Huelva y Vinagre del Condado de Huelva covers an ample area that is extended over 18 municipalities located in the south-east of the province of Huelva bordering, to the north, with the region of El Andévalo; to the south, with the Atlantic Ocean; to the east, with the Doñana National Park; and to the west, with Huelva’s capital. However, the ripening and ageing region for the wines under this appellation is made up of only nine municipalities: Almonte, Bollullos Par del Condado, Chucena, La Palma del Condado, Manzanilla, Moguer, Rociana del Condado, San Juan del Puerto and Villalba del Alcor, with a total of 36 bodegas.

The total endorsed area is approximately, 6,000 hectares, with an average yield of around 40m kilos. In fact, in 2006 40.65m kilos were harvested, a similar figure to 2007, according to the Council’s estimates.

The vineyard belonging to the region under DO Condado de Huelva spreads over mostly flat but to some extent hilly terrain. In general, the soil is neutral or slightly alkaline, loamy and of average fertility, with areas of unbeatable quality for vine growing.

As to the climate, Condado de Huelva enjoys ideal conditions for vine growing: mild winters and springs and long, hot summers with clear Atlantic influences, an average yearly temperature of 18ºC and a humidity level of between 60 and 80 percent.

The variety of vines grown in the region and endorsed for wine making by DO Condado de Huelva are: Zalema, Palomino Fino, Listán de Huelva, Garrido Fino, Moscatel de Alejandría and Pedro Ximénez. The first of these, Zalema, outweighs the rest of the vines in the region with 86 percent of the total plantation.

Three classes of wine stand out from among those endorsed by this appellation: young wine, fortified wine and fortified liqueur. The first is a fermentation-controlled white harvest wine: dry, refreshing, fruity and with a balanced acidity and made from the native Zalema variety.