A modern cellar beside ancient Roman heritage
VinumPlay sits on Calle Capitulares 7, directly beside the columns of Córdoba's Roman Temple of Claudius Marcellus. The ancient stone and the contemporary wine venue coexist without either apologizing for the other. The result is one of the better addresses in the historic center for a serious glass of wine without the tourist markup.
The list runs past 300 references. 28 are available by the glass on any given evening. You will not cover everything — the point is to have a reason to come back, to explore a different region, to compare two vintages of the same label. The staff know their wines and give guidance without turning every recommendation into a sales pitch.
Tasting and tapas
Spain end to end: Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Priorat. But the cellar's strongest argument for local relevance is its Montilla-Moriles selection — the dry whites and fortified wines of the province that most visitors overlook because they are not on the international radar. Order a fino or an amontillado at aperitif hour and see why. For context on the appellation, see our Montilla-Moriles wine route.
The tapas are solid, not spectacular: cheeses, charcuterie, quality conserves. Enough to stay for a long sitting without having to move on for dinner if you prefer not to.
Atmosphere and crowd
Light wood, bottles climbing to the ceiling, music at background level. The room stays quiet enough for conversation. The clientele is mixed: couples, groups, solo drinkers who came for the temple view and stayed for the wine. On fine evenings the terrace is where you want to be — sideways views of the temple columns from a glass of something local. The bar fills at weekends; weekdays are calmer and the staff have more time to talk through the list.
Practical info
Expect €4–8 per glass, more for premium labels. No reservations needed on weekdays; weekends can fill quickly. For a more traditional approach, Vinoteca Ordóñez in the Judería keeps a historic cellar with Mezquita views, and Jugo Vinos Vivos specializes in natural wines. Our guide to Córdoba after dark covers the full picture.
