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The sultana production system in Malaga currently enjoys international recognition as an Important System of World Agricultural Heritage (GIAHS) awarded by the FAO.
Malaga sultana production system
It was the first in Europe to achieve this high distinction, which recognises the exceptional nature of a crop whose harvest is heroic and whose artisanal production is unique in the world. It is an ancestral production system that is totally respectful of its environment, which also constitutes an element that links the population to the territory. A unique way of life has been forged around the sultana and wine, full of unique cultural expressions of a folkloric, architectural and environmental nature that make up an exceptional landscape.
Discover the Production System of the Malaga Raisin Grape in La Axarquía where, due to the nature of its territory, traditional, manual and artisan methods and techniques are used in the cultivation, harvesting, raisining and pricking and threshing, which is a traditional way of life that identifies the region with the sultana culture, maintaining the same cultural practices as in the past.
One of the singularities that makes this system unique in the world is that the grapes are raisined in the sun without any physical or chemical pre-treatment, only under daily care. The environmental sustainability of this production system is thus evident.
Sultanas are obtained by drying the grapes in the sun, a totally artisanal production process. The raisin-making process begins in August and lasts until October, and is carried out in the so-called 'paseros', where the grapes are spread out and left to dry. The bunches are placed from bottom to top and are left in the sun for an average of 10 to 12 days. They are then turned over to complete the process, leaving them for a further 6 days, weather permitting, and the dehydrated bunches are removed.
The grape variety in Axarquia is Muscat of Alexandria.
Mancomunidad is the institution responsible for the management and promotion of the tourist destination 'Axarquía-Costa del Sol'. The regional institution has certified five routes in the Axarquia region with the Q for Quality. These are the Mudejar Route, the Raisin Route, the Sun and Avocado Route, the Olive Oil and Los Montes Route, and the Sun and Wine Route.
Thanks to the management of the Mancomunidad, these five routes have been recognised with the National Q Quality Award granted by the Spanish Institute for Tourism Quality and the Secretary of State.
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