Hi - not sure I can help since I'm in a similar position though possibly on a smaller scale.... just wanted you to know people DO reply, and very helpfully. Whereabouts in N Andalucia? we're near Colmenar, Sherrill (whose web page is worth a look to give you an incentive ) - is near Alora. Good luck & I hope someone comes up with something to help. Have you got adequate water? a well? terracing? or is that still to do?

Mmmm, sounds like you have quite an exciting challenge on your hands. I would be interested to know exactly where you are in Northern Andalucia, would it be near Cordoba? Fiona is asking all the right questions, and my initial thoughts would be to plant some good screening windbreaks as you already know, although Cypress always reminds me of Cemeteries, I would prefer Pines, then start with some tough structural plants, Agaves, Palms, Cacti and Euphorbia etc.