The first documented and trustworthy reference to grape growing in the area dates back to the 14th century. There are, however, legends referring to barter between the
Tartessos and the
Ancient Greeks, shipments of wine sent to
Ancient Rome, and of the tolerance of the
Muslims towards grape growing and winemaking. The repopulation of
Andalusia after the
Reconquest in the 14th century would make the first cultivation of vines be in the
Condado de Niebla, the origin of the current Condado. Don Juan Mestre, Master of the
Order of Calatrava, was involved in the repopulation of Villalba de Alcor in 1327. Eight years later, he donated one hundred "aranzadas" of hillsides to Don Romero Díaz with the condition that in the space of one year, he would clear this land and plant it with
vineyards. However, as the work proved to be too much, the deadline was extended and authorization was given for the land to be cultivated by colonists. At this point the wealth of the Condado began to grow. During the 14th century, the importance of the villages in the Condado increased both socially and economically. Such was the quality and quantity of the wines produced that the city of
Seville - which extended to the municipality of
Manzanilla - was obliged to pass new protectionist laws to protect its own market. However, due to the prestige and quality of the wines from Bollullos, Villalba, Almonte and La Palma, they continued to be sold in the Sevillian market. The golden age continued during the 15th century. The areas under cultivation grew, aging techniques were improved, and Manzanilla wine overtook common bulk wine in volume. Exports to
England and the
Netherlands of all types of wine increased especially through the ports of
Palos de la Frontera and
Moguer. Without a doubt, after the wines, the vines themselves were also exported, as many of the
Conquistadores that accompanied
Cristopher Columbus on his voyages were from these villages. ==The
Discovery of America Wines==