The tourist office in the centre of Jumilla is easily found by driving straight into the centre of the town along the Avenida de Murcia and following the signposts The tourist office is alongside the Parque de Don Albano Martínez Molina where there are a number of parking spaces has become internationally famous over recent decades due to the quality of the wines produced in the municipality and wine tourism has begun to attract visitors from other parts of Spain and the rest of Europe The tourist office is happy to provide a range of maps and leaflets showing the different bodegas which can be visited within the municipality Some of these form part of the Rutas del Vino de Jumilla and can either be visited as a guided tour or sell their produce directly to the public.(see feed below for more details) the town and the surrounding countryside have plenty of other attractions for visitors and the popularity of Jumilla wines is leading more and more people to discover other facets of the tenth largest municipality in Spain These include the spectacular countryside and birdlife in the Sierra del Carche the historic remains which range from cave paintings and a Roman mausoleum to the castle and the gastronomy: rich stews are accompanied not only by the wines of the area but also by Jumilla pears which also enjoy Denomination of Origin status Tourism in Jumilla is not as seasonal as it is in the coastal areas of the Region of Murcia but the town is at its liveliest during the fiestas in Holy Week and the August Fair which incorporates the grape harvest celebrations and the Moors and Christians parades which consists of the municipalities of Jumilla and Yecla is only just over an hour by car from the Mar Menor and anyone wishing to visit real inland Spain and world-class wineries is advised to include Jumilla in their schedule Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 2pm and 5pm to 7pm Click for full information about visiting the Jumilla municipality and its wine bodegas: Jumilla section and thank you for choosing CamposolToday.com to publicise your organisation’s info or event Camposol Today is a website set up by Murcia Today specifically for residents of the urbanisation in Southwest Murcia providing news and information on what’s happening in the local area which is the largest English-speaking expat area in the Region of Murcia When submitting text to be included on Camposol Today please abide by the following guidelines so we can upload your article as swiftly as possible: Send an email to editor@camposoltoday.com or contact@murciatoday.com Attach the information in a Word Document or Google Doc Also attach a photo to illustrate your article This year’s dire harvest in the Spanish region has been scarred by drought with the situation proving “unsustainable for many” The 2024 harvest in Jumilla has left vineyards “on the brink of destruction” which owns bodegas from eight different DOs and in the absence of rain it has faced “a 60% reduction” in yields at the group’s Juan Gil vineyard in Jumilla compared to an average year but the problem is that there are not enough water resources for vineyards “This is the third consecutive year with similar conditions and the situation is unsustainable for many,” said Gil who praised the “remarkable resilience” shown by growers A little rain in September “gave a glimmer of hope,” he said “And we believe that some vineyards that were on the brink of destruction have been able to regain some reserves If winter brings us more rain and some cool weather is that “the small amount of fruit that we harvested is very high quality” communications and marketing manager for Wines of Jumilla we are on the third year in a row with very bad drought She revealed that Wines of Jumilla is still in the midst of “gathering all the declarations from viticulturists and wineries” and that the region’s official data will come at the end of December and the fact that most of our vineyards (70%) are Monastrell – a rain-fed only variety with no irrigation means we are likely to see between 50% and 80% reduction of grapes where they had more rain and much better production.” the agricultural syndicates and the wine cellar association are all asking local government for solutions “but this land where Jumilla is located does not have access to river water and relies only on subsoil waters which are near to extinction,” González de Paz explains Jumilla’s vineyards are distinct for its arid climate rocky soils and scant rainfall – only 300mm annually – and due to all the different altitudes found in the region it has one of the longest harvests in Spain “We have to work hard on it because if we don’t Despite this, Jumilla wines have consistently picked up an impressive haul of medals in db‘s Global Masters competitions, which involve blind tasting with no prior knowledge of region, showing the high quality of its wines. Find out more about them here We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings we will not be able to save your preferences This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again Situated in southeast Spain, in the area of Levante, the Jumilla designation straddles Castilla-La Mancha and Murcia and is the celebrated heartland of the Monastrell (Mourvèdre) variety – which is well-adapted to the region’s arid climate and low rainfall wine production in the Jumilla DO has been dominated by bulk wine production the DO is known for its superb quality reds from low-yielding vines Many of these vines are still on their own rootstock calcareous soils which have historically proved less susceptible to the devastating effects of phylloxera It is estimated that there are around 1000ha of such heritage vines in the Jumilla DO This is the home of resilient viticulture: ungrafted The viticultural region is an example of highly localised adaptation to the natural environment The designation explores old vine heritage and purity of varietal expression with very low yields – as low as 1kg/individual vine in the case of old vines Vine roots penetrate deep into the soil to find water; in the vineyard the soil is worked to avoid a crust forming and the subsequent evaporation of water Resilience is the key here: in a time of climate change changing viticultural practices the world over DO Jumilla is paving the way in its historic adaptation to extremes of climate and is a pioneer in organic and sustainable viticultural practices Presenting wines from DO Jumilla at Decanter’s London Fine Wine experience The Jumilla DO terroir sees a combination of high-altitude vineyards a mediterranean-continental climate with extremes of temperature that preserve freshness coupled with a fascinating archeological history spanning 5,000 years This is a landscape framed by characteristic mediterranean scrub – surrounded by pine DO Jumilla also was under the spotlight in the 2024 Old Vine Conference organising visits and educational opportunities for industry experts Pouring award-winning DO Jumilla wines at Decanter’s London Fine Wine Experience The London Fine Wine Encounter this November 2024 provided a superb opportunity to showcase the international success and deserved recognition of the wines of DO Jumilla Attendees had the opportunity to savour the purity of single variety expressions in addition to the success of the Monastrell variety in red blends – with varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon Mission Statement: to assist the integration of foreign residents living in Spain and this is never more accurate than when you establish yourself as a foreign resident in a new country Being able to quickly familiarise yourself with the culture and customs can help ease the transition during a challenging time This is why Euro Weekly News makes it our mission to provide you with a free news resource in English that covers both regional and national Spanish news – anything that we feel you will benefit from knowing as you integrate into your new community and live your best life in Spain you can forget about translating articles from Spanish into awkward English that probably don’t make much sense Let us be your convenient and essential guide to all things that will likely affect you as a foreign resident living in Spain Murcia’s wine industry is making headlines again Two red wines from the Wine Research Station in Jumilla have been named among the best in Spain at the prestigious Vinespaña National Wine Awards The Hacienda Nueva 2020 and 2022 vintages both took home the top prize These awards highlight the growing reputation of Murcia as a key player in Spain’s wine scene What makes these award-winning wines so special a variety that thrives in Murcia’s warm climate Monastrell grapes give these wines rich flavors with deep fruit notes These characteristics make them an excellent choice for pairing with tapas The success of Hacienda Nueva wines at the Vinespaña Awards is another sign that Murcia is becoming a top destination for quality wines With local wineries gaining more recognition wine lovers are encouraged to explore and support these homegrown products Buying local wines helps keep Murcia’s wine traditions alive and supports the region’s economy Whether you are an experienced wine enthusiast or just starting to explore Spanish wines trying an award-winning bottle from Jumilla is a great way to appreciate the best of Murcia Next time you visit a local wine shop or bodega look out for Hacienda Nueva and enjoy a taste of Murcia’s finest reds Read more Costa Calida news, articles and events here Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox Euro Weekly News is the leading English language newspaper in Spain by delivering news with a social conscience we are proud to be the voice for the expat communities who now call Spain home With around half a million print readers a week and over 1.5 million web views per month EWN has the biggest readership of any English language newspaper in Spain The paper prints over 150 news stories a week with many hundreds more on the web – no one else even comes close Our publication has won numerous awards over the last 25 years including Best Free Newspaper of the Year (Premios AEEPP) Company of the Year (Costa del Sol Business Awards) and Collaboration with Foreigners honours (Mijas Town Hall) All of this comes at ZERO cost to our readers All our print and online content always has been and always will be FREE OF CHARGE Download our media pack in either English or Spanish The old bush vines planted in Jumilla in Murcia are packed with flavour and also the potential to cope with the climate crisis you really need to go back to the disaster that enveloped European wine in the late-19th century A plague swept through the continent’s vineyards in the form of a root-eating louse a small yellow aphid-like insect known as phylloxera which laid waste to around three-quarters of the European vineyard An ingenious and industry-saving solution was found: grafting the European Vitis vinifera vines on to phylloxera-resistant American rootstocks Almost all vines in Europe are now the results of this process but a few pockets of very old vines planted on their own rootstocks survive one of which is the vineyard in Jumilla in southeastern Spain which produced Casa Castillo’s cult bottling – and its fans would argue it’s those eponymous pie franco (ungrafted) monastrell vines that are the key to the wine’s magical mix of airy grace and vivid red fruit uses the monastrell grapes to make a richer in a range of wines that includes the great-value Yellow Label and has a wonderfully distinctive mix of anchovy aniseed and luscious sweet blackberries that is significantly better in the glass than it looks on paper Follow David Williams on X @Daveydaibach This is the archive of The Observer up until 21/04/2025 The Observer is now owned and operated by Tortoise Media Spanish winemaking region Jumilla saw a record low harvest in 2024 Failure to approve “emergency irrigation” could lead to the region turning into a desert Last October, Jumilla producers indicated that their harvests would be drastically lower than usual due to the persistent drought suffered by the region. As db reported at the time, wineries said they could be looking at an 80% reduction in yields which owns bodegas from eight different DOs in Spain said Jumilla vineyards had been left “on the brink of destruction” following a near complete absence of rain for three years Total harvest figures released by DO Jumilla this week paint a bleak picture of volumes following a “nerve-shredding” vine cycle in which things “seemed to go from bad to worse” As well as the low rainfall (just 130mm per square metre in 2024 compared with the typical average of 300mm) producers had to contend with “massive generalised outbreaks of pest attacks such as green mosquito and the proliferation of rabbits causing devastation in many vineyards,” said the DO the DO insists that the quality of grapes is high with the 2024 vintage showing “great potential and aromatic expression.” So much so that many producers chose not to use a sorting table given “the small number of bunches per vine and the perfect condition of the fruit as it arrived at the winery.” the 2024 Jumilla harvest was down 14% on 2023 which was itself significantly down on 2022 producers told db during a visit to the region that the 2022 harvest was about 20% smaller than the 2021 harvest so numbers have been consistently falling for several years a total of 46,107,918 kg of grapes were harvested in Jumilla in 2024 the 2024 harvest represents “a significant decrease compared with the average of the last few years” and the smallest crop size ever recorded in Jumilla The Jumilla Wine Council said that in order to provide “a protective barrier against desertification” in the region the different appropriate authorities “need to reach an agreement on the provision of emergency irrigation an issue which remains unresolved to this day.” The record small harvest came as “no surprise” to wineries which had anticipated a meagre crop after their vines either failed to shoot or dried out “as a result of not having the possibility to implement irrigation measures.” Compounding this is the fact that wine producers have to battle it out with fruit tree farmers for water rights “Every farmer has to decide for themselves what to give their water to This is only the case in Murcia; nowhere else in Spain the rights for the water cost more than the title for the land.” Jumilla winegrowers dry-farm 79% of vineyards Contrary to what might be expected from such a dry vintage the average sugar and alcohol levels in Jumilla’s 2024 grapes turned out to be “no higher than in other years early drying-out and reduced photosynthesis,” the DO revealed Another big positive is that Monastrell (the flagship grape of the region) is showing “excellent phenolic ripeness” in 2024 A small amount of rain arrived in Jumilla at the beginning of September which “slowed down ripeness completion and delayed the harvest until late September.” The appellation covers more than 20,000 hectares of vines most of them dry-farmed bush vines grown on limestone soils Designer Rosana Galián and Michelin-starred restaurant chef Pablo González-Conejero have created Latido as part of Jumilla’s ‘Dialogues on Art and Wine’ project The duo are featured in the series’ second part in which the wine-making process is given centre stage a 2-star Michelin and Repsol 3 Soles chef at the Cabaña-Buenavista in Murcia and also the ambassador chef for the Jumilla DOP taking inspiration from artists in the region as well as from personalities working at different Jumilla DOP wineries In this second episode of Dialogues on Art & Wine featured on db last year the focus has now turned to the winemaking process Murcia architect and jewelry designer Rosana Galián from GarraStudio partners with the chef and they delve into the history of the Jumilla DOP vineyard The duo call-in at several of the region’s wineries to gain first-hand experience of the wine making process closely observing such processes as grape sorting the crushing of the fruit and the alcoholic fermentation An “array of emotions” are experienced by the pair as they “observe the different interactions and movements in winemaking” and “admire the resulting textures and colours” The experience is shown through a series of scenes in the video and the inspiration for the creation of Latido Sensations evoked are “both sensorial and emotional” depicted in “tones of red and magenta” and using organic materials such as grape skins Galián said: “The Latido collection conveys the seething movements of the vinification with the oozing of the juices and the bubbling of the must as it ferments With the solid elements such as the grape stems requires the dedicated care and attention of the winemaker.” The idea of presenting the collection in video-form came from the duo’s wish to perform as a pair to convey their feelings artistically through a series of scenes and in a nod to Jumilla winemaking traditions they play a scene in which the stomping of the grapes is acted out artistically Rosana plays the role of a grape harvester treading on the grapes The chef’s head represents the trodden grapes while the juice oozing from his head “reflects the great efforts needed in wine making and the success of working as a team,” the producer said Running alongside the Tuna and Wine festival in Jumilla this year is the “Burger Week” a gastronomic event for all the family (especially perhaps the younger generations) featuring 11 food trucks representing restaurants from all over Spain The event is held on Paseo Poeta Lorenzo Guardiola (click for map) with the trucks offering delicious burgers provided by Castillo MontyBurger and Cenas de Hidalgo.  At the same time a La Santa truck offers desserts While the sounds and smells of sizzling burgers fill the air they will be competing with a full program of music and stage shows throughout the evening For more information about visiting Jumilla, including what's on, local news and all of the bodegas on the Jumilla wine route, visit the home page of Jumilla Today With a history which dates back over six hundred years the Easter celebrations in Jumilla are among the oldest in Spain documentary records revealing their existence as long ago as 18th At that time the Saint of the Dominican Order was preaching in Jumilla during an evangelical campaign which had important social and religious repercussions in numerous towns and the habit of holding the processions started in Jumilla on the basis of his sermons The first consequence was the founding of the Brotherhood of Nuestra Señora del Rosario which organized and funded the penitential procession on the night of Maundy Thursday in the narrow twisting streets of the small town which at that time still huddled within the shelter of the outer walls of the castle On 21st May 2019 Easter Week in Jumilla was declared a Fiesta of International Tourist Interest on account of its rich artistic heritage the devotion and enthusiasm it inspires and the traditions which have evolved over six centuries of processions the only other Semana Santa celebrations in the Region of Murcia to be included in the same category are those in the cities of Lorca daredevil horsemanship and intricately embroidered cloaks with the military precision of its solemn processions featuring the sculptures of the baroque master the programme of events in such a deep-rooted celebration varies only very little from year to year and in 2024 the schedule has been announced as follows (always dependent on the weather!) 21.30: In the evening a penitential “Vía Crucis” procession is held representing the Stations of the Cross as Jesus made his way to Mount Calvary 14 altars are created by the people of the town and statues are placed on their pedestals to be seen in a very different light from the processions during which they are paraded later during the week These form the focal points of the events of Semana Santa around which the “pasos” (or sculpted tableaux) pass during the next nine days This is a relatively new addition to Semana Santa in Jumilla Canalejas and back to the church of El Salvador Negación de San Pedro (The Denial of Peter) Cristo Humillado (The Humiliation of Christ) Jesús ante Herodes (Jesus appears before Herod) Cristo de la Sentencia (Christ is sentenced) Cristo de la Misericordia (The Christ of Mercy) Virgen del Primer Dolor (Our Lady of the First Sorrow) Santa María Magdalena (Mary Magdalene) Guarda del Cuerpo de Cristo (The Guard of the Body of Christ) Sábado de Pasión (Passion Saturday After the conclusion of evening Mass in the church of San Juan the drumming of the “Tamborada de la Burrica” starts At 21.00 various of the sculpted figures which will be taking part in later processions are transferred from their usual homes to other locations forming secondary processions of their own On the one hand, the figures of San Juan, Jesús Prendido and La Dolorosa de las Lamentaciones are carried through the streets along the following route: Iglesia de Santiago, Miguel Trigueros, Salvador Pérez de los Cobos, Arco de San Roque the Cristo del Ecce Homo leaves the Iglesia de San Juan and is carried along Pio XII Portillo de la Glorieta to the Capilla del Rollo At midday the Procession of the Palms takes place recreating the scene when Christ enters Jerusalem on a donkey to warn Jerusalem of the fate which would befall it accompanied by a crowd waving palm and olive branches the origins of which go back to the year 1521 (although the modern version dates from the 19th century) provides a charming start to Easter Week as children dominate proceedings in the morning and everyone attempts to appear in photographs with the Lord Jesus recites the prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem proclaiming that “not one stone here shall be left on another” as he and the Apostles enter Jumilla During the afternoon the first phase of the transfer of the Cristo Amarrado a la Columna (Christ tied to the whipping post) by Francisco Salzillo, Murcia’s most famous sculptor, takes place. For most of the year the image resides in the monastery of Santa Ana and it is carried down into Jumilla on the shoulders of the faithful for Semana Santa every year Mass is usually held in the Monasterio de Santa Ana to bid farewell to the image at 17.00 after which the sculpture is carried down into the town below At 19.30 the figure of Christ and the huge crowd accompanying it reach the Ermita de San Agustín from where the procession continues to the parish church of Santiago during the evening In the morning the transfer of the figure of Cristo Amarrado a la Columna is completed with the journey from the Iglesia de Santiago to the Capilla de la Hermandad del Cristo ending at the Capilla de la Hermandad del Cristo is transferred from the Convento de Santa Ana in the mountains outside Jumilla to the church of San Juan Bautista 22.45: Later in the evening the Procession of Promises of the Holy Rosary takes place This event was held for the first time in 2019 and files through the streets of the district of San Antón leaving from the Convent of San José and ending at the chapel of the nursing home The figure of Our Lady of Sorrows (Nuestra Señora de los Dolores del Calvario) is carried through the streets to the accompaniment of recitals of the Rosary and the Litany of the Virgin and the event is marked by the special devotion to the patron of Jumilla the Virgen de la Asunción (the Virgin of the Assumption) Jardín del Barrio de San Antón Holy Tuesday is a day of penitence in Jumilla: at 23.30 penitents dressed in black tunics tied with rope take part in a Vía Crucis of austerity Lights are turned off and the only illumination is provided by the moon and the bonfires in the streets The figure of Cristo de la Vida is carried through the streets in silence the night broken only by the beat of a solitary drum and the shuffle of feet At midnight a so-called Procession in Silence is held although in fact it is accompanied by constant rhythmic drumming Route: Iglesia de Santiago (south door then around to the north door) This procession stands out as being very different from the others during Easter Week in Jumilla All ears are filled with the sounds of drum rolls and the jangling of the chains borne by penitents while the only light is provided by the bonfires which illuminate the figures of the Cristo de la Vida and Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza (Our Lady of Hope) as they pass through the narrow streets surrounding the parish church until 3.00 in the morning Santísimo Cristo de la Vida (Planes) 17.30: The performance of "El Prendimiento" (the Taking of Jesus). In late afternoon the events are re-created in in the Plaza de Arriba at the entrance to the old Palacio del Concejo This is an 8-part drama with 15 different scenes written in verse and performed by 18 actors and precedes the procession of Jesús Prendido in which 10 brotherhoods take part The event has been held for at least the last 150 years and is one of the most popular of the rituals during the week 22.00: The Procesión de Jesús Prendido begins at 22.00 at the Iglesia de El Salvador For over a century and a half the procession of the Taking of Christ has been setting out from the old church of the Virgen del Loreto, now renamed the church of El Salvador an example of the Murcia baroque style of architecture The figure of the Samaritan woman leads the way surrounded by lanterns in the Garden of Gethsemane prior to the denial of Peter as the sword of sorrow enters the Virgen’s body At 18.00 the “Manolas” (ladies wearing traditional headdresses) visit a series of locations and monuments in Jumilla while the male members of the brotherhoods visit the “pasos” installed in the churches and chapels dressed in the distinctive tunics of their respective groups The monuments visited are the Santa Teresa Jornet old people’s home and the churches of Santiago 22.00: Later in the evening the Procesión de la Amargura heralds a more sombre and serious mood, starting at the Iglesia de Santa María and finishing in the Iglesia del Salvador The Procesión de la Amargura (Procession of Bitterness) is the oldest in Jumilla having been held in the streets of the town for six centuries since it was initiated by the Valencian Saint This is the heart of Jumilla bared in public faith awakened as the sign of the cross blesses the people and respect and devotion bringing them to their feet to see the figure of Cristo Amarrado a la Columna (Christ at the Whipping Post) carried through the streets As incense fills the air the procession ends with the passing of the figure of the Virgen de la Amargura Jesús se encuentra con las Hijas de Jerusalén as befits the time between the crucifixion and the Resurrection The 16 brotherhoods and pasos take part in the longest procession of Semana Santa in Jumilla presided over by the figure of Nuestra Señora del Primer Dolor the Procession of Calvary (Procesión del Calvario) has its roots in the 16th or 17th century and begins and ends at the Iglesia del Salvador at last the Passion of Christ reaches his death as the Cristo de Salud emerges from the church Nazarenes carrying him out into the light and setting him down beside the door for the faithful to admire him with pride Planes / Sánchez Lozano / J.Díaz - 1966 /1968 /1972 21.30: In the evening the Procession of the Holy Burial (Procesión del Santo Entierro) takes place with the figures followed by many barefoot penitents amongst the participants in a highly solemn and intense event As night falls the mood turns quiet and serious in preparation as the processional tableaux gather around the earliest church in the town of Jumilla as we know it today The Nazarenes cover their faces with the hoods of their tunics and the bearers begin their act of penitence as their shoulders carry the holy weight of their devotion: they do not feel the burden as they march firmly and majestically on into the most eagerly awaited night of the week This procession dates back to the year 1609 when the Cofradía del Rosario brotherhood was founded although it is believed that prior to that a similar tradition existed for around another 200 years ending in Salvador Pérez de los Cobos Saturday April 19, Sábado Santo (Easter Saturday) At midday the figure of Santísimo Cristo Yacente is carried through the streets the main event of the day is the Procesión de la Redención (Redemption Procession) in the evening Night falls to the sound of violins and trumpets as an event takes place in which the seriousness and religious nature of processions of old are maintained along with the tunic designs of the 19th century The procession begins at the church of Santiago and makes its way to the church of San Roque mixing Andalusian traditions with the more austere heritage of Castilla and the Franciscans Three “pasos” are carried in a procession in which women play an important part Route: Iglesia Mayor de Santiago (north door) The procession is followed by the Tamborada de Gloria, another drumming session performed by the Brotherhood of Cristo del Perdón, starting in the Plaza de Arriba and making its way to the Mercado de Abastos Domingo de la Resurrección (Easter Sunday) 9.30 to 12.00: The "Danza del Caracol" is held in the Plaza de Arriba the junction of Avenida de la Asunción and Avenida Levante in the Jardin de la Glorieta and in the Jardín de las Ranas The "Snail Dance" is known by this name because of the formation of the participants dressed as Roman soldiers,  The day of light of resurrection and of celebration: the mood changes as the oppression of penitence is lifted and this is the moment of celebration At 11.00 the Procesión de Jesús Resucitado is held with 11 pasos following the route accompanied by cheerful music (at last!) including pasodobles and showering the watching crowds with sweets This procession was created in 1959 by a group within the brotherhood of San Juan Apóstol to close the cycle of Semana Santa processions in Jumilla Against the backdrop of the pines and palm trees of the Plaza del Rollo the traditional “encuentro” (meeting) takes place between Jesús Resucitado and his mother during which the Roman soldiers march in snail-shell formation a feature which was appropriated from the Saturday procession where it had been included since the late 19th century The procession is headed by the Cross of Triumph followed by the kneeling angel spreading its wings and the figure of Christ resurrected The subsequent colourful scenes include the road to Emaus and the apparitions before Thomas and in Tiberias before a colourful and joyous climax is provided by the “Caramelada” a battle of sweets thrown by Nazarenes and members of the crowd as they let off steam after a whole year of effort and hard work in preparation for the Semana Santa celebrations tiredness and nostalgia as Semana Santa in Jumilla ends for another year Santas Mujeres ante el Sepulcro vacío Aparición de la Virgen María Aparición Santa María Magdalena Aparición a los discípulos de Emaús ending at the church of El Salvador at 13.45 When visiting Jumilla don’t forget to make your first port of call the local tourist office (Plaza del Rollo For more local events, news and visiting information go to the home page of Jumilla Today On the last Thursday of the month the Museo del Vino in Jumilla usually holds an open evening with wine-tasting with y a themed accompaniment and on April 24 the chosen subject is cured meat products which are produced by many businesses in the area around the town The evening begins at 20.30 and prior registration is required by telephone on 663 202822 For more information about visiting Jumilla, including what's on, local news and visiting information, visit the home page of Jumilla Today The religious processions of Easter Week in Jumilla have been awarded International Tourist Interest status but they are not the only tradition at this time of year and in the field of the arts and culture the annual AJAM society concert is an extremely important event Inspired by the Seven Words of Jesus on the Cross the programme includes funeral marches composed by distinguished musicians from Jumilla interwoven with other pieces by famous composers which touch the soul.  The concert begins at 21.00 with tickets priced at 8, 10 and 12 euros and available online here the box office is open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 18.00 to 20.00 and two hours before each event at the theatre For more local events, news and visiting information go to the home page of Jumilla Today The Town Hall of Jumilla in northern Murcia has presented a new tourism initiative consisting of a mobile phone app which invites participants to complete a “gymkhana” game entitled “Asedio al Castillo” (Besieging the Castle) This culturally and historically informative game takes visitors (and locals!) back to the year 1358 had been under Christian rule for only a century or so and was still dangerously close to the Nazrid kingdom of Andalucía At this time the castle we see today had not been built (that was to come in 1461) but the same spot was occupied by a fortress and a small church Anyone who accepts the challenge of Asedio al Castillo (and it is designed to appeal to both adults and children) begins their route outside the Iglesia del Salvador where the new app was presented by Mayoress Seve González councillor Asunción Navarro and the director general of Quality Tourism in the regional government They then spend the next 90 minutes or so in the role of Castilian soldiers covering a distance of 1.3 kilometres and solving 12 puzzles as they try to wrest control of the castle from their Aragonese enemies before reinforcements arrive from the north they learn lots about the history and architectural gems of Jumilla on a journey which not only offers and rich cultural and touristic experience but also helps to stimulate tourist activity in the old town centre Asedio al Castillo is available 24 hours a day and can be accessed on mobile devices by scanning the QR code which is displayed on plaques along the route. These plaques will be located at the church of El Salvador, at the castle, at the tourist office in the Plaza de la Constitución and in the Jardín de la Glorieta No prior booking is required and of course the activity can be enjoyed at any time of year JUMILLA has wrapped up its annual fair and festival featured a wine showcase that brought together eight local wineries to highlight the best wines from the area One of the festival’s main attractions was the National Folklore Festival, which brought traditional music and dance performances to the streets of Jumilla The event kicked off with an opening ceremony led by Mayor Seve González followed by performances from local dance groups and participants from across Spain The festival also included a large children’s parade with 17 groups participating one of many free events organised by the festival committee A key moment of the celebration was the offering of grapes and the first wine to a symbolic figure representing the harvest with 26 local groups and 13 delegations from nearby towns taking part in the tradition The festivities ended with a grand parade featuring the famous ‘Wine Cavalcade,’ where thousands of litres of wine were poured out as part of the celebration The festival ended with a spectacular fireworks display also capping off another successful year for Jumilla’s beloved annual event Jumilla offers visitors a chance to explore its rich history The town is home to the impressive Castillo de Jumilla providing panoramic views of the surrounding vineyards and landscape This castle dates back to the 15th century and offers a glimpse into the town’s storied past For those interested in religious architecture Jumilla’s Church of Santiago is a must-see with its beautiful altarpieces and intricate carvings is a testament to the town’s artistic heritage the Archaeological Museum of Jerónimo Molina offers insights into the region’s prehistoric with fascinating artifacts that tell the story of Jumilla’s ancient roots Nature lovers can venture into the nearby Sierra del Carche Regional Park a beautiful nature reserve ideal for hiking and outdoor activities is a perfect escape for those seeking tranquility and breathtaking scenery Jumilla’s wine-making history dates back more than 3,000 years with roots stretching to the ancient Iberians and Phoenicians who cultivated vines in the region creates the ideal conditions for growing the Monastrell grape variety which thrives in the region’s limestone-rich soil including the phylloxera plague of the 19th century Jumilla’s vineyards were not fully affected until later Jumilla’s wines are internationally recognised full-bodied red wines made from Monastrell grapes which account for around 80 per cent of the vineyards in the region which continue to play a central role in Jumilla’s culture and economy For more Costa Calida and Murcia news click here Jumilla celebrates its annual fiestas in August combining the celebrations of the feast day of the Virgen de la Asunción (the patron of the town) with the grape picking fiestas (the Fiesta de la Venidmia which is being held for the 51st time this year) a folk music and dance festival and the Moors and Christians celebrations although unfortunately this year the Moors and Christians events are not being held. There are a variety of events and processions, including a traditional parade celebrating the process of wine-making, a children’s parade and the Cabalgata del Vino This latter is the best-known and most popular and during the parade thousands of litres of wine are flung out into the crowd and poured over the assembled revellers a small percentage of it ending up inside the attendees and the remainder all over their clothes and don´t be afraid to get wet (and red) There are other events relating to the celebration of wine fiestas including a wine “Miniferia” in which the Bodegas display and promote their products and visitors purchase a glass which enables them to sample the various offerings in the booths and a red wine fountain flows throughout the main days of the fiestas Additional activities include a grape treading competition and a grape pip spitting competition as well as the elements to keep the peñas (fiesta groups) happy the folk festival has become one of the most important of its kind in Spain over the course of its 40-year-old history Some of the performances and musical events are in the Arzobispo Lozano secondary school (click for map) The program of events during the 2024 Fiesta de la Vendimia, the 51st holding of the event, is as follows (although this schedule is complemented by those for the folk festival): 21.30: Gran Fiesta de Exaltación del Vino a celebration of wine in the gardens of the Salones Pio XII de Santa Ana del Monte 20.00: The Peñas proceed from their Federation HQ to the Jardín del Rey Don Pedro 20.15: The traditional raising of the flags for the 43rd annual Jumilla Folk Music Festival at the Town Hall 21.00: Inauguration of the wine fountain in the Jardín del Rey Don Pedro I 22.00: The fairground opens in Paseo Poeta D the Miniferia del Vino opens at 12.00 midday on Paseo Poeta D 19.00: Fiesta de la Vendimia football tournament at the Campo de Fútbol Uva Monastrell 19.00: Official reception for the groups taking part in the Folk Festival at the Town Hall of Jumilla.  21.15:The participating groups parade through the streets (Plaza de la Constitución 23.00: Concert featuring La Habitación Roja Dorián and Jorge Second DJ at the Arzobispo Lozano secondary school 22.00: Official opening ceremony of the Folk Festival and first performances in the Jardín de la Glorieta 11.00: The floats taking part in the children’s parade go on display in the Paseo Poeta Lorenzo Guardiola a live show in the auditorium of the Conservatorio de Música Julián Santos 19.30: Pariticipants in the children’s parade gather in Calle Trabajo before the parade starts at 20.00 22.30: El Náan in concert in the Jardín de la Glorieta 9.00: Fiesta de la Vendimia open paddle tennis tournament at the Centro Deportivo Olympia Multisport shill in reversing with trailers at the car park of the Recinto Ferial 11.00 to 14.00: Water party for children at the Arzobispo Lozano secondary school. Admission free of charge 12.00: Spanish folk dances in the Jardín del Rey Don Pedro 13.00: Monsatrell grape competition in the Jardín del Rey Don Pedro 18.00: Grape treading competition in Paseo Poeta Lorenzo Guardiola 18.30: National grape pip spitting competition in Paseo Poeta Lorenzo Guardiola this is always a fun event and attracts a lot of attention as competitors attempt to spit a grape pip as far as possible 21.45: Closing performances and ceremony of the folk festival in the Jardín de la Glorieta Midnight: Celtas Cortos live in concert at the Arzobispo Lozano secondary school 20.00: Parade of the visiting delegations in the folk festival.  Midnight: Coldplay tribute concert at the Arzobispo Lozano secondary school.  11.00: The floats taking part in the main traditional parade go on display in Paseo Poeta Lorenzo Guardiola 20.00: The participants in the main traditional parade gather in Calle Trabajo 20.15: Sangría competition at the start of the parade 10.00: The bells are tolled in honour of the Virgen De La Asunción and shots are fired over the castle.  12.00: Holy Mass in honour of Our Lady of the Assumption (La Virgen de la Asunción) 20.00: Holy Mass followed by the procession in honour of La Virgen de la Asunción 23.30: A concdert of lyrical ballads with Ainhoa Arteta in the Jardín de la Glorieta 9.00: Gachasmigas contest at the Recinto Ferial 10.00: National hoe-throwing competition at the Recinto Ferial 16.00: Children's concert in the Jardín de la Glorieta 19.00: Know Your Wines competition in the Jardín del Rey Don Pedro I Midnight: Bombai in concert at the Arzobispo Lozano secondaru school 18.30: The GRAN CABALGATA DEL VINO begins after participants gather at 18.00 in Avenida Reyes Católicos 20.00: The figure of Nuestra Señora La Virgen de la Asunción is taken back from the parish church of Santiago to the church of San Agustín in a procession 22.30: Concert of boleros with José Blaya in the Jardín de la Glorieta 00.30: Fireworks over the castle of Jumilla to mark the end of the fiestas 8.00: Romería del Niñico de las Uvas The figure of the Niñico de las Uvas is taken back to his sanctuary in the monastery of Santa Ana del Monte in this popular “romería” 10.30: A late breakfast is enjoyed by all at Santa Ana la Vieja 12.00: Mass in honour of El Niñico de las Uvas at the monastery of Santa Ana del Monte 14.00: “Matavendimia” lunch to say goodbye to the fiestas for another year at Santa Ana la Vieja For more local events, news and visiting information go to the home page of Jumilla Today Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin and get an email with all the week’s news straight to your inbox (List price   3  months 12 Bulletins)  As Semana Santa (or Easter Week) approaches the town of Jumilla in the north of the Region of Murcia is preparing for the annual processions which date back well over 600 years and have their origins in the sermons of the Saint of the Dominican Order In 2019 Easter Week in Jumilla was declared a Fiesta of International Tourist Interest on account of its rich artistic heritage This guided tour on 30th March takes participants to the headquarters of the various brotherhoods which take part in and organize the processions and explains the history of the celebrations as well as including chances to see some of the most important sculpted figures which are paraded through the streets every spring The visit begins at 11.00 in the Plaza de la Constitución Bookings can be made online here or through the tourist office of Jumilla (Plaza del Rollo Registration is priced at 3 euros per head The buildings which dominate the old centre of the town of Jumilla in northern Murcia stand testimony to the power wielded in past centuries by noble families and many of them are adorned with the coats of arms of those families providing insights into the history of the town The free guided tour on Sunday March 23 begins at the Teatro Vico at 11.00 and all are welcome to join – registration is available online through the regional tourist board website here Professional cycling’s Tour of Murcia begins on Saturday February 15 in the town centre of Jumlla with the peloton setting out on a 199-km course at 12.00 on Paseo Poeta Lorenzo Guardiola and the non-competitive parto f the race lasting along Avenida de la Libertad Calle Cánovas del Castillo and Avenida Asunción There is a strong cycling fan base in Jumilla no doubt strengthened in part by the exploits of local rider Bernardo González who represented Spain at the summer Olympics in 1988 and 1996 before his untimely death in a road accident four years later this is the first time the Vuelta a Murcia has visited the town since 2006 whereas prior to that there had been three visits during the 80s and 90s During those years the peloton included Miguel Induráin although the fanfare and presentations will start at 10.00 and fans are likely to be there early to meet and greet riders from the Movistar due to TV coverage on Eurosport and Teledeporte Jumilla will receive exposure to a Europe-wide audience as the riders pass the Jardín de la Glorieta the Teatro Vico and Calle Cánovas del Castillo El municipio de Jumilla ha sido una parada ineludible de esta prestigiosa prueba ciclista durante muchos años donde hemos tenido la oportunidad de ver a ciclistas de la talla mundial como Miguel Induráin Mauri o el jumillano Bernardo González pedaleando por las calles de Jumilla Sign In Register the Town of Okotoks' new emotional support livestock pilot program is a step in the right direction unanimously approved during a June 24 council meeting, will see emotional support livestock permitted in Okotoks for a one-year trial with applications approved on a case-by-case basis.  "I feel like people should be allowed to decide on what they want to have or what they can get animal-wise," said Longview resident Paola Jumilla who has owned a pig for emotional support since 2020.  has been raised by Jumilla since he was about six weeks old While Willie is not officially registered as an emotional support animal he has played a crucial role in supporting Jumilla throughout her struggle with anxiety it just gives your life a little bit of purpose depending on what you're going through You're giving yourself a purpose every day to wake up it just makes the world a little bit better." Having a pig as an emotional support animal is a great alternative to a dog in terms of allergies and intelligence adding the conversation around emotional support animals should not be limited to dogs "I've seen ESA (emotional support animal) horses or chickens or ducks.. they shouldn't be [making rules about] animals you can have and what you can't have "I'm not saying you should get a horse," she continued "It depends on what you could provide for this animal As long as you can provide all the necessities for this animal to have a good and healthy life I feel like you should be allowed to have one." The Town of Okotoks' responsible pet ownership bylaw classifies a wide variety of animals as livestock sheep or goat," along with "domestically reared or kept deer Jumilla acknowledges there has been some controversy around the program which requires that emotional support livestock animals be under 180 kilograms and that applications be subject to authorization by Okotoks Municipal Enforcement on a case-by-case basis I guess I can have a horse in my backyard,'" she said because that horse needs more space in the area It needs proper exercise and proper amount of area." litter-trained and goes for regular walks with his owner He is a pet rather than an animal raised for agricultural purposes meaning that he is not considered livestock "They're trying to change the bylaws in town who has not encountered issues with her ownership of Willie over the last four years "You are so close to farmland and ranchland and all that so having bylaws about [pet pigs] doesn't really make sense to me." She added that Willie is beloved throughout Longview which has a population of approximately 300 "He's kind of like an emotional support animal not just for me, for the whole town," she said "Everybody loves Willie and they just stop by my house and always ask how he's doing and stuff like that He does bring a lot of smiles to the whole town The Spanish region of Jumilla is famed for its arid climate and rocky soils it’s wonderfully gastronomic wines are set to take the on-trade by storm Stroll through any working vineyard and in most instances you might notice the soft give of soil or cover crops beneath your feet If a bird soaring overhead happens to relinquish the odd twig or berry you might hear a gently cushioned thud amid the buzzing of bees and scurrying of insects there’s the clatter of rocks knocking against each other – fist-sized pale as bones and baking in the scorching sun It seems incongruous that life could survive in this lunar-like landscape and yet it’s home to some of the country’s oldest and most magical vines For all the hype about ‘cool-climate’ wines Jumilla stands out for producing the exact opposite desert-like conditions and limestone plots that look more like pebble beaches than vineyards miraculously combine to produce wines of exceptional personality and freshness “A winemaker from Madrid came to visit us and said: ‘What are they growing here Grapes or stones?’,” says Esther González de Paz communications and marketing director for DOP Jumilla the historic wine-producing region of Jumilla is distinctive for its arid climate rocky soils and scant rainfall – only 300mm annually – conditions which might seem hostile but which have contributed to its quiet success for centuries The fact that these inhospitable lands are almost devoid of water means that Jumilla’s vineyards are practically disease-free and managed to survive the ravages of phylloxera as it swept across Europe with a wave of the reaper ’s hand in the late 19th century More than 70% of France’s vineyards were left in ruins following the blight which saw Jumilla lithely jumping in to supply countries such as Portugal the region’s vineyard area shot up from just 2,000 hectares in 1850 to 50,000ha in 1890 marking a period of razor-sharp growth that González de Paz describes as Jumilla’s “bubble of demand” although the quality of its wines has vastly improved the region is rapidly losing hectarage as other areas of agriculture There are currently 20,000ha of vines planted in Jumilla with the highest sites climbing to a dizzying altitude of 1,000m “All the different altitudes in Jumilla mean the region has one of the longest harvests in Spain lasting for three months in total,” says Carolina Martínez Origone The aforementioned fruit trees are also at the core of some political unrest Such is the scarcity of water that winegrowers have to battle it out for the precious commodity with other areas of agriculture – not least with outsiders who come from overseas and set up tented nurseries which gulp much-needed H20 from the soils “Each farmer in Jumilla must buy their own water shares from the local administration Everyone is allocated a set amount of water olive trees and other agricultural produce,” explains González de Paz Jumilla winegrowers have become elite at water management and dry-farming a whopping 79% of vineyards the old bush vines hunch close to the ground as though unsure whether to risk poking their heads above the parapet at the peak of the harvest for Monastrell (Jumilla’s flagship grape variety) when temperatures still climb to a toasty 270C Despite reduced yields – producers report a fall of about 20% in Monastrell volumes compared to 2021 year – the trucks we pass on the roadside are heaving with indigo-hued grapes albeit with smaller berries than usual due to a heatwave that struck during flowering season waiting to have their bounty weighed and tipped into concrete vats for destemming Although there is palpable excitement for the 2022 harvest a mythical vintage for Jumilla; one so good that there is unlikely to be another like it as it was almost perfect and the wines will only get better in bottle,” says Bodegas Luzón general manager Francisco Martinez “This year is the one for winemakers to show off their skills,” he says Bringing the grapes into check is no small challenge in the cellar very sensitive,” concurs Rosana Madrid Romero This is no hyperbole as Monastrell accounts for about 80% of total plantings in Jumilla Garnacha and Cabernet Sauvignon also permitted under DO rules A small quantity of white varieties is also planted One producer – Luzón – is currently lobbying to have Viognier added to the fold but the proposal has been met with robust opposition as white varieties require more irrigation and the DO sees the sustainable future of the region as lying in its dry-farmed reds “During the last five years Jumilla winemakers have shifted towards really believing in Monastrell and have started increasingly bottling it as single-varietal wines,” says González de Paz She explains that growers first began experimenting with Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo in Jumilla about 25 years ago but are no longer planting these particular varieties as “they need more water than we have” she points out that: “Syrah grows very well here and works much better in our terroir than Cabernet Sauvignon Producers are using it to make single-varietal wines Due to the altitudinous nature of the region fragrant aromas and delicate flavours of mountain herbs including thyme rosemary and fennel are often present in Jumilla wines To give some idea of the age of the mountains that cradle the region fossils of ancient sea creatures have been found high up in their peaks; creatures that started off life on the sea bed and travelled skyward as tectonic plates shifted splitting and pressing the land up into what is now mountainous terrain Jumilla is in the midst of another seismic era Sales of its wine rocketed during the Covid pandemic and global awareness of Jumilla wines grew exponentially “It’s time for wines that are good but not expensive in the world Maybe this is our time,” says González de Paz which exported 3m bottles to a total of 50 countries last year: “The world is starting to become more open to Jumilla.” people only used to be interested in the big Spanish regions like Rioja but now importers are fighting to have at least one Jumilla wine in their portfolio when just a few years ago they would have asked: ‘Why should we?’ Yap attributes this growth partially to import tax increases introduced by the US which saw importers scrambling to buy Jumilla wines before the tariffs took hold but also to consumers having more time on their hands during the pandemic to research other wine regions “For many people it was the first time they’d ever had to sit down and think about something like that,” she says What those consumers found without having to search too hard is that wines from Jumilla –both ‘entry-level’ and top-end expressions – are significantly cheaper than those from the likes of Rioja and Ribera del Duero where diners can pick up a bottle of Jumilla’s finest wine for a stitch of the price A shining example of this is Juan Gil’s El Nido which has become a favourite in restaurants across the globe which is aged for 24 months in barrel and was awarded 99 points by wine critic Robert Parker is widely considered to be one of Spain’s ‘prestige’ wines and is one of the most decorated from Jumilla Only 8,000 bottles of El Nido are produced per year (more like 7,000 bottles in 2022 due to the short Monastrell harvest) and despite it being crafted from extremely low-yielding the wine commands a price of only €110 in the off-trade is also ludicrously good bang for your buck “It’s usually on the wine list for around €45-50 which is an extremely good price for the quality Even in the most expensive restaurants in Spain it might still only be €80.” is adamant about holding the price of its top wines; proof of the value-to-quality ratio that Jumilla can offer “We want to guarantee and hold the price of our top wines rather than sell en primeur,” says Loren Gill “We want to share what we have fairly across our distributors If that means producing far less of it to preserve the quality Because Juan Gil’s Monastrell comes from old bush vines which yield “around one bunch per vine per year amounting to less than 500g grapes per vine all the grapes from these old vines go only into El Nido and Clio” One curiosity is that the 20-25% of American oak that these top wines see (the remainder is French oak) a quirk of El Nido’s Aussie winemaker Chris Ringland “He has a good relationship with an Australian cooper I think it’s a question of confidence rather than flavour,” says Gil you’d be hard pushed to find someone who doesn’t agree that Jumilla makes fantastic pairing wines DOP Jumilla conducted an intensive study into the pairing of the region’s wines with fine cuisine an impressive-looking hardback book was sent out to “all chefs in Spain who work in Michelin-starred or Guía Repsol restaurants” detailing the findings of the DOP’s research and highlighted the immense possibilities to be had for glass and table “We know that one of our main barriers is sommeliers who can have a bad attitude towards the south-east of Spain so we are also talking with the main sommelier schools to help change their thinking,” says Silvano Garcia Now our aim is to be on shelves in all the best restaurants.” That’s not to say that only Michelin-starred venues are capable of showcasing the gastronomic potential of Jumilla wines the DOP sponsored a film festival in neighbouring Albacete in which short films were accompanied by miniature dishes created by a host of local chefs Each edible creation was expertly matched with a Jumilla wine which went down a treat with thirsty cinema-goers the owner has painstakingly renovated her late grandfather ’s home on the winery property to transform it into a beautiful private dining space La Casa de los Abuelos is not only the ancestral home of the Pacheco family it strikes right to the heart of why people make wine in Jumilla – to enjoy with family and friends over simple Bottles of organic Monastrell and Pacheco Blanco (a blend of Airén and Macabeo) are served alongside steaming gazpacho stew twice-cooked goat shoulder and mushroom cannelloni with artichoke flakes mopped up with chargrilled bread– all a stone’s throw from where Pacheco used to sleep as a child Over lunch I learn that Viña Elena has the warmest and lowest altitude in Jumilla and is therefore on a different cycle to the rest of the region’s wineries it can be a struggle to achieve full phenolic ripening because the diurnal swing here is much less than elsewhere “It’s vital to get the harvest date right as just two days here at 40 degrees is enough to overripen the grapes,” she says she prefers to pick early and use original concrete tanks which is good for the Monastrell,” says Pacheco who stripped the inside coating from the tanks to allow direct contact between the wine and the concrete to “enhance the flavours and help us to finish the ripening” The winery owner is a self-described “root grower” by which she means that she pays more attention to what’s going on beneath the surface of the soil than above it “The reason why Jumilla’s old vines are able to survive for so long is how deeply they reach down into the soils which protects them from the scorching sun,” Pacheco says A relatively well-kept secret is that the DOP permits sweet wines made from Monastrell Viña Elena’s 100% Monastrell Dulce is the perfect finale to a truly memorable meal with sumptuous aromas of figs and a gentle touch of spice the wine perfectly captures the essence of Jumilla – unexpected enchanting and an adventure playground for gastronomes Liberty Wines has announced new additions to its Spanish portfolio by becoming the exclusive UK distributor for Casa Castillo from Jumilla and Celler del Roure from Valencia The two producers from south-east Spain provide a new dimension to the importer’s Spanish range steered by owner José Maria Vicente (pictured) is known for its complex expressions of the Monastrell grape variety and is another example of a Jumilla producer a region fast becoming an emerging region for the UK market in terms of quality perception Producer Celler del Roule takes a minimal intervention approach using local grape varieties traditional to the Valencia region is buoyed by the prospect of the new wines entering the UK market He said: “We are hugely excited to be working with Casa Castillo owner José Maria Vicente and Celler del Roure founder Pablo Calatayud both proud members of the pioneering Futuro Viñador group of producers that also includes Pepe Raventós of Raventós i Blanc in Conca del Riu Anoia and Telmo Rodríguez of Pegaso in Sierra de Gredos Molino Real in Málaga and Bodega Lanzaga in Rioja Alavesa “Alongside Rafael Palacios in Valdeorras Álvar de Dios Hernández in Zamora Javi Revert of Finca Sandoval in Manchuela and Javier Dominguez of Dominio do Bibei in Ribeira Sacra these dynamic winemakers have been rediscovering Spain’s vinous past and As champions of indigenous varieties and wines with an authentic sense of place Casa Castillo and Celler del Roure fit perfectly into our portfolio and we are thrilled to be able to bring them to the attention of our customers.” Liberty Wine will offer wines Casa Castillo throughout the producer’s price range (from £19.99 to £155 rrp) including their Jumilla Monastrell 2022 ‘Las Gravas’ Jumilla 2021 and ‘Pie Franco’ Jumilla 2022 The Celler del Roure range will include their ‘Cullerot’ Valencia 2023 ‘Vermel’ Valencia 2022 and ‘Parotet’ Valencia 2022 Wines from both Casa Castillo and Celler del Roure will be available to taste at the Liberty Wines Annual Portfolio Tasting in London on Tuesday 21 January, with Celler del Roure winemaker Paco Senis in attendance. Trade can register their interest in attending by emailing events@libertywines.co.uk AWL announces creation of new global win... Robin Copestick joins Packamama board London Wine Fair announces line-up Gen Z shifts towards low & no alcohol am... Diageo GB announces new marketing and in... LWC and MDCV enter new on-trade partnership You can now view the latest Harpers supplement with our digital edition... View the Top 100 2024 competition results here.. Vergelegen – continuity and change on the Schapenberg Talking innovation and opening doors with LWC Koshu brings flavour of Japan to London Reh Kendermann: Sales Manager UK In recent years the annual early December Gastroarte event in La Alquería has met with great success and has become a fixture in the calendar of the municipality and the 5th edition is being held on December 1 in the same location combining the local gastronomy and wines with live art events and exhibitions Alongside children’s workshops and a range of live performances and exhibitions a series of stalls and stands will be serving traditional dishes such as mortirigüelo but this is billed as an all-day festival with painting and photography displays music and a thoroughly creative atmosphere throughout the day For further information and details on pricing, which generally includes food, please contact the tourist office of Jumilla (telephone 968 780237) For more local events, news and visiting information go to the home page of Jumilla Today This is a great opportunity to try some of the very finest recent wines produced in the D.O.P as well as a great excuse to enjoy a weekend in the picturesque town and countryside of northern Murcia The event begins at 20.00 and all are welcome – don’t imagine you have to be a pretentious wine specialist to enjoy yourself For more local news, events and visiting information visit the home page of Jumilla Today.  Decades ago Jumilla’s wines provided colour fruit and body to boost blends produced in other more famous wine regions The ambition of today’s generation of vignerons however is not so much to make decent marketable products but to achieve wines of international acclaim that is perfectly adapted to Jumilla’s sunny a growing number of passionate growers are confident that they’re on the right track grape-producers took advantage of the region’s generous sunshine by planting vines on south-facing slopes thereby guaranteeing regular crops of fully ripe grapes the prime vineyard sites are on the region’s north-facing slopes where the heat of the sun is gentler and terroir expression comes through in the wines since Jumilla’s altitude and continental climatic influences make it prone to spring frosts and lower sugar levels in the grapes home-grown Jumilla producers who are achieving startling results who single-handedly runs the vineyards and cellars of his 170ha Casa Castillo estate Planted in the shade of the Sierra de Molar his Monastrell and Garnacha reveal floral aromas and notes of mountain herbs and lavender two young brothers at Fuente Alamo in Albacete province are also producing wines with totally different balances from the old norm Carlos and Juan José Cerdan make stunning terroir-driven wines with floral expression and high acidity While Vicente cross-references Casa Castillo with Châteauneuf-du-Pape Carlos compares his top-end La Calera de Escaramujo to Barolo Jumilla’s dynamic promotional body at the Consejo Regulador has recently been focusing its communication on the natural balance found in Monastrell by virtue of the compact nature of Monastrell’s bunches in which the outer berries ripen quicker than those in the centre a certain balance is achieved within the whole bunch Could this be why many Jumilla reds can appear very ripe on the nose and yet relatively dry on the palate your brain prepares you for something rich and exuberant in mouth the palate is often more restrained with a pleasant tannic structure and dry mineral finish elegant Jumilla reds are produced by the Viña Elena winery which is located in the southernmost part of the appellation where the cool Continental climatic influences are countered by warmer Mediterranean currents This is evoked in the word ‘bruma’ (mist) which is the name of Viña Elena’s flagship range Winemaker Elena Pacheco looks to bring out the more delicate red berry fruit character of the Monastrell in balance with fresh acidity and length of flavour The Bruma Marin 2019 is an excellent example while the more upmarket Bruma Particiones is more dense and fleshy but still maintains elegance and balance the winery also makes a delicious straight Syrah is another keen proponent of planting on north-facing slopes but also Garnacha Tintorera (at high altitude on gravel and limestone soils) and Syrah in Jumilla’s volcanic south-western zone Laderas del Volcan (a blend of Monastrell and Syrah grapes sourced from volcanic slopes) offers a mesmerising mix of raspberry aromas mingling with mineral notes Slightly more market-driven wines are produced at Bodegas Carchelo the cool terroir provided by the shade of the nearby Sierra de Carche is central to its winemaking philosophy Wine lovers with only a passing acquaintance with Jumilla wines may be familiar with the name Juan Gil Jumilla’s emblematic and highly successful family-run winery Producing an impressive range of great value for money wines Juan Gil has access to some of the finest raw material across the appellation heady style of its internationally famous premium wines is well-known are beautifully balanced and offer amazing value Of similar great value are the wines of Silvano Garcia Partnered by French winemaker Valérie Durand from Narbonne Garcia has recently built new facilities outside Jumilla town While his premium brand Etiqueta Negra is a local favourite complete wine displaying less oak and huge Monastrell charm As Jumilla’s finest terroirs are still in the process of being discovered and investors have been slow to snap up premium sites many of Jumilla’s growers with vines planted in excellent limestone terroir continue to sell their grapes to cooperatives The BSI co-op (Bodegas San Isidro) close to Jumilla town is able to source a whole range of lots which they maintain separately in order to showcase different Jumilla styles One such fine example is the Gemina ungrafted Monastrell brand well-balanced Monastrell with red berry fruit and minerality the San Dionisio co-op has access to great raw material Its barrel-aged Mainetes is a more Mediterranean expression of this part of Jumilla with sweet red berry fruit and vanilla notes whose owner is the charismatic Pio del Ramo Nuñez a lightly oaked entry-level brand that shows a lively tannic structure to complement the fruit aromatics climate and grape varieties to make superb red wines But just as important are the winemaking choices However balanced the raw material may be when it arrives in the cellars since Jumilla reds aged in barriques appear to take on rather too much oak whereas judicious ageing in larger formats such as foudres or in concrete maintain and enhance those precious balances A lesson that Jumilla’s rising stars appear to have taken on board Lots of charm with cherry fruit and a touch of vanilla sweetness UK: Vindependents www.vindependents.co.uk USA: Vinedos Selection vinedosusa.com Ripe forest fruit with hints of Christmas pudding Smooth and sweet in style rather than fresh UK: Bodega Soul bodegasoul.co.uk hints of Christmas pudding and dark chocolate A hint of over-ripeness of the palate but this is balanced by minerality and a pleasant dry finish UK: Ehrmanns www.ehrmannswines.co.uk Nice elegance and balance with good tannic structure USA: Tricana Imports www.tricanawines.com Elegance and complexity with subtle red and black fruit aromatics UK: Indigo Wines www.indigowine.com USA: European Cellars www.europeancellars.com Fine red berry fruit and well-integrated creamy oak Soft tannins and quite elegant on the palate Winery website: www.enoturismomainetes.com cherry-fruit nose with hints of liquorice and spice Winery website: www.bodegaencarnacion.es A sweet creamy strawberry nose that develops in the glass with mineral Juicy fruit on the palate and soft tannins balanced by a pleasant dry finish Winery website: parajesdelvalle.es A seductive nose of ripe fruit and integrated toasty oak A serious wine on the palate with some tannic austerity USA: Espana Wines espanawines.com Winery website: www.ramonizquierdovinos.com red berry fruit and vanilla balanced by nice acidity USA: Kysela Pere et Fils www.kysela.com USA: Tradewinds www.tradewindsspecialty.com, Verity Wines veritywines.com UK: Alliance Wine www.alliancewine.com Quite delicate with ripe tannins and a long finish UK: Jeroboams jeroboamstrade.co.uk USA: Codipral codipralus.com, Vinaio www.vinaioimports.com, Trovato www.trovatowine.com As part of the celebrations of World Tourism Day this free guided tour is being held in the old centre of Jumilla on Sunday 29th September starting at 10.30 at the late 19th-century Teatro Vico This building is in itself an important part of the architectural heritage of Jumilla and ait dates from around the same time as a spectacular Modernist house built lin the late 19th century particularly the churches and other buildings around the charming Plaza de Arriba when the town first began to grow outside the protective walls of the castle which stands behind it.  named after the patron saint of plague victims in reference to the intention to keep pestilence away from the population The tour is absolutely free of charge but prior registration is required online here.  Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Having been best known for bulk wine in the past Spain’s Jumilla region is now making a name for its ripe and generous reds at competitive prices with organic and single-vineyard expressions coming to the fore JUST DAYS before I delivered a masterclass on one of Spain’s most underrated wine regions I had been writing about this nation’s relevancy in 2023 Featuring on thedrinksbusiness.com, the article was entitled ‘Why Spanish wine could benefit from rising living costs’ and it focused on the country’s ability to provide delicious drops at low prices something that should be favoured as people’s disposable incomes decline because of the rising cost of goods Commenting that Spain is the source of some of the most affordable wine in the UK – and elsewhere – I began the masterclass by suggesting that buyers look more closely at the vinous opportunities in Spain Pointing out that few parts of the wine world offer the same combination of positive elements as Jumilla I picked out four main reasons to consider the region These were: the value for money of the wines; the prevalence of certified organic viticultural practices; the existence of very old of which many are ungrafted; and the fact this is the birthplace of Monastrell – a grape that is hardy and capable of producing distinctive and generous reds and fine rosés While one can indeed turn to other parts of the wine world for ancient ungrafted vines and native grapes – be they Cyprus parts of Chile or South Australia – you’d struggle to also find good wines at low prices with organic certification from such places as I discovered on a visit to the region in July 2020 this is an area perhaps best known for the city of Valencia containing Europe’s largest single area of ungrafted vines with over 1,000 hectares of registered vineyards planted pie franco representing around 5% of the 22,000ha total Having given a brief outline about the region’s strengths it was time to look at Jumilla’s defining features in a little more detail starting with the reasons why it offers such good wines for low prices Part of this stems from Jumilla’s lack of fame – the growers and producers of Jumilla don’t have widespread recognition This is connected with the historical fact that this part of Spain has been a major source of bulk wine which has prevented the area building a reputation built around a regional brand It may also be because there is little investment from outside the region in Jumilla there are some major businesses a flagship for the region in terms of scope and scale but there are other big players with clout which is part of the García Pérez Group – a huge bulk-wine producer from Valencia the producer of the Pata Negra wine brand and the owner of a pan-Spain collection of wineries but a company that started life in Jumilla where it still has roots with Bodegas 1890 which is part of huge Spanish food concern Grupo Fuertes which unites 400 shareholders representing 1,400ha of vineyards including the largest surface area of ungrafted vines in the world This winery is the source of the Carta Roja brand as well as an impressive Monastrell with no added sulphur for the UK market one that is also certified organic and vegan-friendly combined with the low-input wine-growing conditions of Jumilla is one further reason why the region is able to produce ripe and generous reds at such competitive prices On top of such an advantage is the issue of organics Jumilla is a region that is windy and dry – with around 300mm of annual rainfall – meaning there is little disease pressure on the vines more than 75% of Jumilla’s vineyard area is certified organic a higher proportion than in any other region in Spain this presents an important competitive advantage for Jumilla’s wines at a time when consumers are keen to buy organic produce but not necessarily to pay a premium for the certification they can get the advantage of proven organic grape-growing methods a further key facet to Jumilla is the ungrafted plantings of old bush vines Jumilla’s combination of dry sandy soils and tough Monastrell vines prevent the root-sucking bug Phylloxera from damaging the plants allowing the vine to root freely and deeply This rare and qualitative approach to planting and considered to be Spain’s benchmark Monastrell It’s this grape that’s brings another strong point of difference to Jumilla As much as 70% of the region’s vine area is comprised of Monastrell rot-resistant grape variety that is native to this eastern part of Spain it’s prized for its role in the rosés of Provence and Bandol in particular and as an important blending component in the reds of Châteauneuf-du-Pâpe Not only is the grape extraordinarily well adapted to the barren but also when the grapes are sourced from old Monastrell yields concentrated and balanced reds one in which blackberry and prune-like flavours are delivered along with a bright acidity not normally found in wines with such richness Such freshness is not only related to Monastrell’s late-ripening nature but also the cool nights in Jumilla’s vineyards which are located up to 1,000m above sea level it’s important to note a few further elements to the region which are commonly limestone-rich and rocky while there are pockets of vines found on substrates of volcanic origin too With very old vineyards and distinctive terroirs in Jumilla more producers are choosing to make single-vineyard expressions in an attempt to capture the quality of Monastrell from particular places as well as to draw attention to very old vineyards to raise their value – a large number of Jumilla’s old vines have been removed over recent decades due to their low yields While a single-vineyard approach is not uncommon in Spain it’s been notably absent in Jumilla until recently because this region has been so strongly focused on making bulk wine – something it’s been successful with thanks to its hardy sun-baked vines and grape-growing with minimal inputs It’s hoped that raising the profile and value of its greatest sites and oldest vineyards will secure winemakers’ futures – the region has lost many of its unique heritage vineyards to more profitable crops Jumilla has proved capable of producing fine wines from the aforementioned Pie Franco to Divus from Bodegas Bleda a French oak-matured red based on 60-year-old Monastrell that’s been an icon for the region since it was launched in 2000 The region is also home to the sort of youthful passion needed to fuel biodynamic practices and winemaking experimentation energy is apparent at the biodynamic Bodega Cerron where 26-year-old Carlos García is gradually rescuing relic vineyards of Jumilla including historic ungrafted mixed plantings of white varieties because these vineyards ensure that Jumilla is much more than a bulk-wine-producing area historic and delicious to offer the adventurous wine drinker but Jumilla brings all these advantages to the consumer without charging them the earth The following wines were tasted at the masterclass which was held on 18 April at Asia House in London the odds are that you will bump into someone wearing sturdy boots with a trowel and a magnifying glass in their backpack These are the tools of the seekers after soils – the geologists I met a jovial party of them from Holland at the next table on my first night of my stay in the region The fact that Jumilla is such a favourite with geology students can be taken as a guarantee that these diverse soils will make fine wines Take a walk in the vineyard at the foot of one of the region’s two extinct volcanoes Jumilla is located at the eastern part of the Baetic Cordillera which extends to the Rif and Tell mountains in north Africa The soils are a mix of marine origin and calcareous with good permeability and capacity for water holding The lack of organic matter has been significant in holding off the phylloxera louse in many places as evidenced by the wind farms marching across the hillsides The program has been confirmed for the 2025 Carnival celebrations in Jumilla, providing fun and entertainment for all the family as the town prepares to begin Lent prior to its renowned Easter Week processions The program includes the following events between 1st and 4th March: 12.00: Carnival story-telling in the library 17.30: The party begins with the grand Carnival parade starting in Calle Calvario and making its way to the marquee on Paseo Poeta Lorenzo Guardiola via Cura Abellán Valencia and Avenida Reyes Católicos and other attractions at the marquee with music provided by DJs Sergio Martínez Ángel Díaz and Mario Fernández Bar and food stalls are installed until 6’00 in the morning starting at Plaza del Rollo and following Cánovas del Castillo Valencia and Avendia Reyes Católicos to the marquee on Paseo Poeta Lorenzo Guardiola Activities in the marquee on Paseo Poeta Lorenzo Guardiola including a costume competition at 16.00 DO Jumilla has conducted an intensive study into the pairing potential of wine from this Spanish region with fine cuisine and is hitting up the world’s top chefs with its findings has been digging deep into the enormous potential for pairing its wine with gourmet cuisine A hardback book will be sent out next year to “all chefs in Spain who work in Michelin-starred or Guía Repsol restaurants” detailing the findings of the DO’s research and which highlight the immense possibilities to be had for glass and table Now our aim is to be on shelves in all the best restaurants,” Silvano Garcia the DO is also strategically targeting sommeliers with a view of eradicating some historical prejudices so we are also talking with the main sommelier schools to help change their thinking,” says Garcia Spend any time looking into Jumilla’s wines and you’ll soon find that both its entry-level and top-end expressions are significantly cheaper than those from the likes of Rioja and Ribera del Duero where diners can pick up a bottle of Jumilla’s finest which was awarded 99 points by wine critic Robert Parker It is widely considered to be one of Spain’s ‘prestige’ wines with only 8,000 bottles produced per year (likely to be 7,000 in 2022 due to a short Monastrell harvest) and it appears on the wine lists of some of the world’s best restaurants for just €300 is adamant about holding the price of its top wines “We want to guarantee and hold the price of our top wines rather than sell en primeur,” Loren Gill all the grapes from these old vines go only into El Nido and Clio wines” The profile of Jumilla has grown exponentially in the last few years when just a few years ago they would have asked: ‘Why should we?’,” says Shayne Yapp which exported 3million bottles to a total of 50 countries last year “We’ve seen sales grow steadily each year One of the highlights of the musical program during the 2024 August fiestas in Jumilla who are recognized as one of the finest Coldplay tribute acts around Even Coldplay guitarist Jonny Buckland describes Coldday as “the best tribute eto our band I have seen” and they are performing free of charge at the Arzobispo Lozano secondary school in Jumilla at midnight on Tuesday August 13 Click here for the full fiestas program in Jumilla, culminating on Saturday 17th August with the Cablagata the traditional street “battle” which always ends in the participants soaked to the skin in red wine The dates displayed for an article provide information on when various publication milestones were reached at the journal that has published the article activities on preceding journals at which the article was previously under consideration are not shown (for instance submission Environmental PollutionCitation Excerpt :A variety of studies finds that the compounds most frequently detected in surface or groundwater often correspond with the substances applied in the catchment area (Ccanccapa et al. the type of substances found in water can be regionally different (Herrero-Hernández et al. some pesticides can be found in surface waters even years after their application has been banned Journal of Colloid and Interface ScienceCitation Excerpt :At present the most studied fungicides can be divided into natural fungicides and inorganic fungicides according to their sterilization mechanism The antifouling effect of natural fungicides is slightly poor and they have limited broad-spectrum antibacterial properties and poor long-term effectiveness.[21–23] Organic fungicides have poor stability and are difficult to use for a long time in the marine environment.[13] All content on this site: Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. If you’re one of those whose knowledge of the Region of Murcia is limited to the beaches of the Mediterranean and the Mar Menor couple of local watering holes or restaurants the airport in Corvera and perhaps the cities of Cartagena and Murcia it’s time to broaden your horizons and discover a whole different world which lies a little further inland This is a world where palm trees are replaced by oaks and pines where the flat vegetable crop fields of the Campo de Cartagena give way to cereal crops and where the tomato plantations are a forgotten as you drive or stroll through countless hectares of vineyards the vast plains sometimes seem to stretch out towards the horizon the mountains are majestic and the swathes of vineyards are a sure sign that this is true rural Spain where some of the country's finest wine is produced the first recommendation when visiting the Altiplano has to be to taste the wine The most iconic wines of Yecla and Jumilla are made from the Monastrell grape and they are practically unique due to one word which not many people are aware of: Phylloxera Phylloxera is an insect which was accidentally imported into Europe from America in 1863 and within 15 years it devastated vineyards across the old continent No pesticides could halt the pest and for most growers the only solution was to graft more resistant American roots onto European vines But on the high ground of the Altiplano Phylloxera was unable to attack the roots and as a result the old “European Root” variety of the Monastrell grape survived here Many of the DOP Yecla and DOP Jumilla wines are thus produced from Monastrell “Pie Franco” vines which are well over 100 years old The importance of wine is perhaps best illustrated by the spectacular August fiestas of the “Vendimia” (start of the grape-picking season) in Jumilla, where the centrepiece is the Cabalgata in which thousands of revellers are drenched in red wine close to the boundary between Murcia and Castilla-La Mancha history is written not in manuscripts or documents but in the rocks themselves making the slopes and unique rock formations of Monte Arabí an experience unlike any other Prehistoric cave paintings at Monte Arabí have been catalogued as World Heritage by UNESCO and equally fascinating (and unfathomable) are the mysterious “petroglyphs” small round sculptures carved into the rocks which may as a kind of map… no-one really knows All visitors are welcome to explore this timeless scenery at their own convenience although in order to see the primitive rock art it is necessary to register on one of the guided tours which have been granted access to the sheltered sites The Monastery, Sanctuary or Convent of Santa Ana del Monte stands high up in the mountains to the south of Jumilla affording excellent views out over the town and further and although it is a site of religious importance and the building houses an impressive religious art collection it is now visited chiefly by walkers and cyclists And it’s not hard to understand the popularity of the location shaded by abundant woodlands and with spectacular views towards Jumilla castle This may have been one of the factors which led to the monastery’s construction in 1574 (although it was already a site of religious worship over a century beforehand) and almost certainly it contributed to the existence of the Iberian settlement of Coimbra Ancho the 2,000-remains of which can still be seen nearby On top of which, the picnic area is a perfect spot to begin a hike through the mountains of Sierra Ana with numerous routes giving opportunities to see the flora and fauna of the area including the numerous Aleppo pines and animals such as the peregrine falcon and the golden eagle The museum of the monastery even contains one of a pair of bearded vultures who lived in the mountains until the mid-20th century When Murcia was a frontier region between the Christian kingdoms of Aragón and Castille fortifications were built throughout the Region to protect the land against raiders and when local rulers and royal delegates were deciding on how to protect themselves the main consideration they took into account was similar to that of many of those who buy holiday homes in the Costa Cálida today: location This was certainly on the mind of Juan Pacheco, the first Marquis of Villena, when he ordered the construction of Jumilla castle in 1461 and despite having undergone extensive renovation in recent years the castle is everything one might expect of a medieval fortress: it stands in a position of dominance high on a hilltop above the town it commands panoramic views over the surrounding area it has an imposing keep four floors high with crenelated battlements and it generally gives the impression of being close to impregnable To give an idea of the military importance of the passage across the Altiplano between the mountains it is even said that Hannibal marched his army along the route when he set out from Cartagena on his attempt to overthrow Rome Every bit as important as military fortification in the Altiplano area is the central role played in its history by the Catholic faith and it goes without saying that both Jumilla and Yecla boast a large number of churches But to truly appreciate the importance of religious faith in Jumilla it is necessary to witness the Semana Santa (Easter Week) processions they are among the oldest in Murcia and are characterized by their rich artistic heritage colour and the devotion and enthusiasm they inspire The Altiplano is one of those parts of Spain which has so much historical and pre-historic heritage that it’s hard to know what o do with it all with exhibits dating from well before the birth of Christ to the Moorish Middle Ages and the modern era Apart from these, there are plenty of actual archaeological sites to be visited, the highlights being that of Coimbra Ancho in the mountains of Santa Ana (Jumilla) the cave paintings of Monte Arabí in Yecla and even the fossilized footprints of sabre-toothed tigers and other animals which lived in the Sierra de las Cabras 7 million years ago the buildings of the two old town centres are themselves witness to the society of Spain during the Middle Ages and the pre-Modern era – the old town squares really are steeped in history The accumulation of centuries of history is the unique identity of the people of the Altiplano and apart from the warm welcome invariably extended to visitors this is amply apparent in both the rural settings and the comfort of central bars Of course, all this healthy walking (or cycling) whets the appetite, and the cuisine of Yecla and Jumilla features a number of nourishing stews and other dishes which have helped the locals survive and even thrive during the (sometimes harsh) winters over the centuries These may not appeal to those who flock to the Costa Cálida during the summer but the rapid motorways which link the Altiplano to Murcia Alicante and Valencia mean that these days there is a constant supply of fresh fish and seafood to complement the locally sourced meat and vegetables serve to bring this area within an hour and a half of almost everywhere on the coastlines of Murcia and Alicante – what’s your excuse for not making the trip and discovering the area for yourself Email: turismo@yecla.es Undulating plains of sandcoloured earth are broken up by neatly striped rows of vines and stippled with olive groves A solitary windmill sits in the windswept fertile plateau the horizon stretching into the blue distance where hills are dotted with their 21st century equivalent plus a dearth of tourists and it’s Spain as Cervantes might have seen it let’s get the pronunciation right – who-ME-ah until you see the mountains of Tobarra – this is where the Jumilla Destination of Origin (DO) starts in a high altitude valley flanked by the towns of Alicante Albacete and Murcia about 50 miles inland from the Mediterranean coast thanks to its significant elevation above sea level which means that the grapes can rest and retain that sought after freshness And what grapes – or rather one grape in particular Monastrell is a late-ripening variety (more of which later) which thrives in the heat here and produces wines that range from lively and fruity And here’s the best bit – prices are generally very reasonable Another thing worth knowing: in many of Jumilla’s vineyards Monastrell vines remain ungrafted (that is phylloxera never having penetrated the limestone soils here Put all of this together and a picture starts to emerge of Jumilla as an exciting Jumilla is actually one of the oldest DOs in Spain We’re talking over 2000 winegrowers and 45 registered wineries It comprises around 19,000 hectares of vineyards scattered between the provinces of Murcia and Albacete of which 40% are located in the town of Jumilla The rest are spread between the towns of Montealegre del Castillo Each of the wine towns in Jumilla has its own feel and story which is pretty much surrounded by vineyards with a history that stretches back over many thousand years setting off fire crackers at every opportunity – the biggest celebration of all held during Semana Santa (Holy Week) when just about everyone will bang a drum (tamborada) Jumilla town holds a 10-day harvest festival (fiestas de la vendimia) So what has contributed towards Jumilla winning its moniker The region lies at a crossroads between Andalucía La Mancha and Valencia and sits on a high plain that represents the transition between the Castilian plateau and the Mediterranean Eastern Seaboard We’re talking mostly limestone soils and a dry climate – only 300mm of annual rainfall are hot and dry – these are ideal growing conditions for a rather special grape because as well as being resistant to the dreaded phylloxera organic viticulture thrives here –in fact in Jumilla town over 94% of the grapes are organic So what are the flavour characteristics of Monastrell expressive wines with a characteristic purplish colour and abundant fruit aromas but the winemaking know-how here means balanced wines thanks in part to plentiful use of concrete vats preserving the grape variety’s characteristics Monastrell can produce wines that can scale the heights regularly scoring high marks in international competitions and wine guides such as the 99 points awarded by Robert Parker to Casa Castillo Pie Franco’s 2017 Monastrell Garnacha Tintorera and Cencibel (Tempranillo) together with Monastrell turn out some particularly vivacious while the majority of rosés are made using a short maceration to extract the best colour and flavour from the skins The use of international varieties has also been approved in Jumilla has adapted perfectly to the region – indeed many of Jumilla’s new style wines making waves on the international stage are made with 100% Syrah and Monastrell blends containing Syrah While white varieties planted include Airén which are producing a range of beautifully balanced Plus there are also some interesting wines emerging that are made with the Moscatel de Grado Menudo grape and Verdejo which showcases the region’s terroir Not forgetting Jumilla’s sweet wines with a special nod to the region’s port-like Monastrell (don’t miss the one from Bodegas Olivares) that completes Jumilla’s diverse offering Cruise around Jumilla’s wineries today and you’ll see all the latest kit Producers here take full advantage of the most modern winemaking techniques and industry innovations all with the aim of getting the best out of the grapes Cellars here boast constant cool temperatures year round with carefully measured humidity and ventilation and winemakers allocate their top wines to barrels made of the best oak that they can find for wines that need ageing which are relative newcomers to the market And talking of Jumilla’s winemaking prowess winemakers here regularly think out of the box to achieve the most exciting flavours and extract the best from the fruit – think amphora combining traditional techniques with a modern outlook in their quest to build a Jumilla identity and achieve a distinctive terroir And while the climate plays ball most years such are the near perfect growing conditions with the very best years considered to be 1998 and 2004 Though really every year is a good year in Jumilla – the last decade in particular The easiest way for visitors to get a proper taste of Jumilla is to follow its Wine Route especially if you want an English-speaking guide tours priced between €5-€10 per head Wineries to visit include the late 19th century-built Alceño both centrally located in the town of Jumilla while there are others to visit on the outskirts of town Dotted around the region you’ll find many other wineries to visit Hacienda del Carche - Casa de la Ermita wine museum And then combine wine with culture and visit the Franciscan convent of Santa Ana del Monte standing high up in the mountains to the south of Jumilla or check out the cave paintings and fossilised footprints found in the Sierra de la Pedrera The Wine Route also suggests visits to a number of Jumilla’s fascinating museums such as the Jeronimo Molina Archaelogical Museum with its impressive collection of items from nearby pre-historic settlements including fossils of grape seeds dating back to 3000 BC and its Etnographic and Natural Science Museum there’s the Iglesia Mayor de Santiago which boasts a splendid 16th century altarpiece depicting the pilgrimage to Santiago from the Holy Land a perfectly preserved late-Roman 5th century mausoleum measuring just three metres by two a veritable paradise of organically grown olives and fruits Drive north and you’ll discover Hellin and its ancient old town so make time to stroll through the narrow streets Also visit the equally atmospheric wine towns of Albatana where Roman dolls made of bone and amber were once found taking time to walk through the vineyards and fragrant olive groves that surround each town complete with restaurant and stylish bedrooms in a beautiful country house a family-owned winery devoted to biodynamic winemaking and organic goat cheese also check out the wines from the Ontalba and San Dionisio cooperatives which offers more stunning landscapes with which to feast the eyes and the cuisine here is as richly flavoured as the wine The most well known dish is gazpacho Jumillano a curious Jewish recipe traditionally made with game and nothing like the southern Spanish soup a speciality offered during Semana Santa (Easter week) Other dishes to look out for include rice with rabbit and snails along with ‘relleno’ or ‘pelotas’ – chicken meatballs And don’t miss the goat cheese fried in olive oil with tomato - the cheese made with milk produced by native goat breed Not forgetting mortiriguelo – a soup made with offal The region’s most famous desserts are sequillos and ring doughnut-shaped rollos de vino (yup made with wine) - the lot a perfect match with a glass of sweet Monastrell It’s clear that wine is not the only reason to come here – there’s so much more to discover in Jumilla No part of this publication may be reproduced distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Decanter Only Official Media Partners (see About us) of DecanterChina.com may republish part of the content from the site without prior permission under strict Terms & Conditions. Contact china@decanter.com to learn about how to become an Official Media Partner of DecanterChina.com Sign in to comment Wines from Jumilla in southern Spain bagged an impressive haul of medals in db‘s global Masters competitions Here’s why the region’s wines are hitting the spot Located around an hour’s drive from Alicante the historic wine-producing region of Jumilla receives just 300mm of rainfall annually and for this reason most of its vineyards (79%) are dry-farmed The region’s flagship grape variety is Monastrell which accounts for about 80% of total plantings in Jumilla Due to the altitudinous nature of the region with the highest sites climbing to a dizzying 1,000m Jumilla wines are proving a favourite with consumers and one of the reasons they have been so successful in db’s global Masters competitions is due to the incredible quality-to-price ratio that they offer Top-end expressions of Jumilla wine are often significantly cheaper than those from Rioja and Ribera del Duero where diners can pick up a bottle of Jumilla fine wine for a stitch of the price You can read more about Jumilla here in our exclusive and detailed report on the region. And for Patrick Schmitt MW’s tasting notes for Jumilla’s gold-winning wines Very clean and fresh on the nose with a medium-light intensity this lovely wine has dry tannins and a mid-length finish with notes of cream and strawberries jumping from the glass this is an intense and charming wine with rich layers of ripe fruits and crunchy berries The oak provides a lovely texture and complexity This red has a juicy raisiny core with a ripe raspberry edge off-dry wine with impressive concentration Polished blackberry and boysenberry notes with a vibrant fruit core impressive balance and a beautifully fresh finish Bright burnished juicy plum skin with an inky raisin edge this single-varietal Monastrell has ample vibrant acidity moderate fleshy tannins and good flavour concentration For the full list of medal-winning wines from Jumilla producers in db’s master competitions see below Manchester-based distributor Boutinot Wines UK has added Bodegas Juan Gil a leading winery in Jumilla in the south-east of Spain to its portfolio The deal represents a serious coup for Boutinot – Bodegas Juan Gil is owned by the Gil Family and is part of the Gil Family Estates which consists of 11 wineries from 10 wine regions across Spain The whole Juan Gil range will be available to the UK trade via Boutinot with a welcomed focus on independents and on-trade All wines are reportedly vegan-friendly and certified organic (with the exception of Juan Gil Blue which will be certified organic from the next vintage).    Bodegas Juan Gil owns 750ha in Jumilla and is run by brothers Miguel and Angel Gil who are self-proclaimed ‘champions of the Monastrell resurrection in the region’.  Fully committed to sustainable wine-making Juan Gil is home to the largest zero-waste winery in Europe and also boasts a facility powered entirely by solar power made from 44ha of Monastrell vines over a hundred years old María Dugnol of Gil Family Estates said: “After some years dedicated to innovation research and obtaining sustainable certifications we are delighted to be collaborating with Boutinot again Our aim is to bring the best expression of Jumilla to the UK a fresher style of wines which are organic and sustainably made Working hand in hand with Boutinot we will benefit from their experience in the market and excellent customer orientated service.” Composer Roque Baños has been chosen as the herald of the Holy Week 2020 in Jumilla (Murcia and has published a video giving thanks and saying “being a herald is an honor for what this Christian commemoration means for Jumilla” http://sietediasjumilla.es/roque-banos-sera-un-honor-para-mi-el-poder-pregonar-la-semana-santa-video/ Discover a way to enjoy that music live in SoundTrackFest Here you will find all the information you need to live your favorite Soundtracks and meet the Composers Explore a range of Jumilla wines at a masterclass hosted by the drinks business Editor-in-Chief Patrick Schmitt MW Jumilla is one of the oldest appellations in Spain The production area stretches from the extreme south-east of Albacete province to the north of Murcia province an area with strong Mediterranean influence besides its Continental climate The main grape variety in Monastrell (aka Mourvèdre and Mataró) which makes up around 70% of the Jumilla PDO vineyard surface area Its predominance is explained by the nature of the region’s soils and growing conditions and has proved to be the grape variety that has adapted best to the arid climatic conditions Jumilla today is making the most of its natural conditions to produce organic and sustainably produced wines with a refined and modern character Participants will be able to sample the following wines during the masterclass: please register your interest in the masterclass using the link below Places are limited and offered on a first come first served basis words: Monastrell produces dark and concentrated wines, and the variety ripens beautifully in Jumilla. The region’s best wines are from higher-elevation vineyards, which benefit from cooling influences that provide balancing acidity That’s the case with Bodegas Olivares’s 2018 “Altos de la Hoya” Monastrell, a superb value at around $12. The grapes are grown in a vineyard that lies at about 2,700 feet and is farmed organically, with only native yeasts used in its fermentation All of this results in a distinctive wine that really out-performs at this price and should be at the top of your list when it comes to robust The wine is relatively soft with smooth tannins There’s enough structure to support the ripe but the wine feels lighter due to its acidity That softness, concentrated fruit, and moderate oak influence make this an excellent wine for spicy and highly seasoned foods It was brilliant with grilled pork chops coated with a marinade of cumin I can also see it pairing well with Indian food and other grilled meats this is one of the more unusual and rewarding Spanish reds I’ve recently come across an exhibition tracing the long history of esparto grass weaving in the north of the Region of Murcia is open to the public at weekends for two months beginning on Saturday July 13 (with the official opening in the evening of Friday July 12) The tradition of weaving esparto grass in the Region of Murcia dates back thousands of years and first the Phoenicians and then the Romans exported this important raw material throughout the Mediterranean basin Before the invention of modern synthetic fibres the strong and durable natural fibres of esparto lent themselves to a multitude of uses; ropes household and agricultural items produced through the weaving of this fibrous grass which found its way into the furniture and utensils of almost every home in Murcia as a part of daily life There are relatively few master “esparteros” remaining in the modern era, but there is an increased interest in safeguarding the traditions of the past and in Jumilla the Casa del Artesano is a centre from which those interested in esparto can extend their skills and share knowledge There are regular esparto meetings enabling beginners and masters to sit together and enjoy their craft The exhibition at the Casa del Artesano in Jumilla (Calle del Rico nº 12 next to the Casa Pérez de los Cobos and the Casa de la Música y las Artes) can be visited at weekends and on public holidays from 10.00 to 14.00 21.00: In the evening a penitential “Vía Crucis” procession is held At 17.30 the “Manolas” (ladies wearing traditional headdresses) visit a series of locations and monuments in Jumilla while the male members of the brotherhoods visit the “pasos” installed in the churches and chapels Saturday March 30, Sábado Santo (Easter Saturday)