Bodega del Diezmo

Bodega del Diezmo is a 19th-century winery in Manzanilla, a small town in the province of Huelva, set along the Condado de Huelva wine route.

Where does the name come from and how old is the building?

The winery was built in the rear courtyard of the local rectory, and the date 1880, still visible above the rectory's entrance, marks its construction. The name "Diezmo" refers to the tithe, the church tax once used to fund the upkeep of religious buildings in the area. The bodega and the rectory shared a single well and together filled almost an entire plot in the town centre, reflecting how closely winemaking in Manzanilla was tied to the local church.

What makes the architecture distinctive?

The building's decorative towers are its most recognisable feature, bearing the coat of arms of the Seville Cathedral Chapter, a reminder of the region's old administrative links to the Seville clergy. The layout, which joins a working winery to a priest's residence under one shared property, is an unusual surviving example of 19th-century wine infrastructure in Condado de Huelva, a region where wine production, largely based on the Zalema grape variety, once formed the backbone of the local economy.

What condition is the bodega in today?

Both the winery building and the adjoining rectory are currently in poor condition and overgrown, after years without use or maintenance. The property was recently acquired by the Diputación de Huelva, the provincial government, opening the way for its recovery. A full rehabilitation project worth over 166,000 euros is planned, covering restoration of the tower and facades, energy-efficiency upgrades, and the adaptation of the interior for cultural and museum use, following accessibility and safety standards.

What will the old winery become?

The goal of the project is to turn Bodega del Diezmo into a wine interpretation centre, combining a museum function with the promotion of Manzanilla's winemaking heritage. The investment is part of a broader sustainable tourism plan for the province of Huelva, under which the Bodega de las Carrionas in Bollullos par del Condado is undergoing a similar transformation. Once complete, Bodega del Diezmo is expected to become a new stop on the Condado de Huelva Wine Route, reinforcing the region's wine identity and drawing visitors interested in the history of local winemaking.

Can the bodega be visited today?

At this stage the building remains closed while it awaits rehabilitation work, and it does not yet function as a tourist attraction. Visitors interested in the region's wine culture can in the meantime visit other active wineries along the Condado de Huelva Wine Route, which offer tours and tastings.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the name "Diezmo" come from? It refers to the church tithe, the tax once used to maintain religious buildings; the bodega was built right next to the rectory and was functionally linked to it.

When was the bodega built? The date 1880 appears above the entrance of the adjoining rectory and is taken as the approximate construction date of the whole complex.

Is the site currently open to visitors? No. The building is deteriorated and awaiting rehabilitation funded by the Diputación de Huelva, after which it is meant to open as a wine interpretation centre.

What is special about the building's architecture? Its decorative towers carry the coat of arms of the Seville Cathedral Chapter, evidence of the region's historical ties to the Seville clergy.