Murcia, Spain: Yecla

There are three Designated Origin (DO) wine growing areas within the Region of Murcia, Spain: Yecla, Jumilla and Bullas.  The first DO we focused on during a recent media trip to Murcia was Yecla.  Hosted by Instituto De Fomento Region de Murcia and guided by Mike Matilla of Argo Consulting, we visited three wineries in the DO Yecla, where our group would soon be surprised and impressed by the wine that the Region of Murcia is most well-known for, Monastrell.

Yecla is located in the north-eastern reaches of the Region of Murcia, set within the highlands between the La Mancha Plateau and the Coastal Mountain Range.  The vineyards in this area are planted approximately 1,300 to 2,950 feet above sea level.  The altitudes allow for extreme diurnal variation in the temperatures, especially during the summer months when extremely hot days turn into very cool nights.  Summer temperatures reach as high as 110 degrees while winters drop down to about 20 degrees.  With some influence by the Mediterranean Sea, Yecla’s climate is considered Continental – a climate that harbors some of the most productive farmlands in the world.

Based on the type of land, altitude and soil components, Yecla is split into two different wine growing areas: Campo Abajo and Campo Arriba.  Abajo land is predominantly clay and limestone (1,300 to 2,000 feet), and Arriba is mainly limestone and gravel (2,000 to 2,950 feet)  – wine grapes from each area (essentially Monastrell) showcases unique characteristics. Wines produced from vines grown in Camp Abajo tend to be fruity and easy to drink, while the very concentrated grapes grown in Campo Arriba are used for small production, high quality wines.

The three wineries we visited while in Yecla were Bodegas La Purísima, Bodegas Señorio de Barahonda and Bodegas Castaño.  Of all the wines we tried in the Yecla region, I noticed a common theme of purity, freshness, complexity, nice acidity and balance.  Although there were common nuances found in the wines, each of the three wineries were incredibly unique from one another.

Monastrell bush vines in the DO Yecla at Bodegas Señorio de Barahonda

Founded in 1946, Bodegas La Purísima is a cooperative winery that manages and produces 60 percent of Yecla’s vines and has around 400 to 500 members. I tried my first ever 100 percent Monastrell (a 2012 La Purísima Monastrell) at this winery, and I was instantly taken back by its excellent qualities and fruity freshness. We also tried a Monastrell Rosado, a white blend, a naturally sweet Monastrell and some higher-end premium aged wines, but it was that first sip of the 2012 La Purísima Monastrell that captured my heart for this varietal.

Bodegas Señorio de Barahonda is a state-of-the-art winery that had a humble start back in 1925, where the founder hauled in the bounties of harvest on a wooden cart that now sits in front of the family’s home.  Within walking distance of each other, we visited both their original underground winery that is beneath the kitchen in their home and the impressive, newly constructed winery where they were flying the American flag in our honor.   With several different wine brands, this family-owned winery offers an impressive amount of stellar wines.

Lunch alongside the vineyards of Bodegas Castaño

Bodegas Castaño is a family-owned operation that started back in the early ’60s – only family members have nurtured and managed the estate vineyard.  Because their vineyards are planted in a range between 1,500 and 2,600 feet above sea level, their wines are diverse in flavors and characteristics.  We enjoyed a surreal outdoor lunch and wine tasting set beneath the swaying trees at the edge of the vineyard with gorgeous valley and mountain views.

Each of wineries we visited in Yecla are featured on the new Destinations, on WineJulia.com.  With a focus on details about the wineries, people, foods and wines we experienced; including, tasting notes from my favorite wines of the DO Yecla, Destinations is a great place to learn about my travel adventures in wine regions around the world.