Football and wine may not be a traditional pairing, but for fans of both an invitation to stay at Andrés Iniesta’s family vineyard is a unique opportunity.
The FC Barcelona and Spain player – widely agreed to be among the best footballers in the world – has turned Airbnb host in order to open the doors of the Bodega Iniesta in the middle of the Castilla-La Mancha wine region.
The one-off listing, which went live on AirBnb on Friday morning, invites the public to explain in 100 words why they deserve to visit. The winner and a guest will be given a personal tour of the vineyard by Iniesta and his family and get to see a “surprisingly private side” of the footballer.
“For my family, the Bodega is a dream come true,” says Iniesta. “I want to share this charming space with travellers who are looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
It is the first time the Bodega has opened its doors to visitors in this way. Guests will stay in a “cosy” cottage on the site and enjoy a “delicious dinner” before spending the evening relaxing by the fireside. They will also be shown around Iniesta’s hometown of Fuentealbilla.
“Although people know me for my passion for football, we hope to share our other concerns,” writes Iniesta. “Such as our love of nature and the exquisite fruit of our vineyards.”
However, the stay at Bodega is not without its house rules. As Iniesta warns on the listing: “Be gentle with vines: in this field it’s better not to go with football boots.”
Iniesta is not the first professional footballer to dabble with Airbnb: during the World Cup Ronaldinho put his Brazilian mansion up on the site, charging guests $15,000 a night.
“Anyone who knows me knows that I love entertaining friends and people around the world,” wrote Ronaldinho in the listing. “I love pagode (a type of samba), spending time with my family, and of course, football! I hope you like my house.”
