If you love exploring new tastes in both wine and food, combined with unique experiences, the Yecla Wine Route is an excellent solution. Located in the region of Murcia, Spain, the Yecla Wine Route offers cultural experiences, local traditions, wineries, sights and plenty of goodies on the plate. When you drink wine from Yecla, you get a genuine taste experience. The wine adventure takes you back in time, because winemaking has deep roots in this area. Each wine reveals noble, complex and varied flavors.
What can you expect?
The wine route includes more than 30 establishments: Wineries, restaurants, local shops, wine bars and accommodation. Yecla is home to the outstanding Monastrell grape and has a wine history that stretches back to when the Phoenicians lived in the area. The wineries produce noble drops in both traditional and more modern ways, but the great taste and quality has not been lost on any of them. In Yecla, for example, you can combine the white wine Macabeo with tapas at a local bar or a red Monastrell with the local dish gazpachos yeclanos.
Wineries that are worth visiting
Bodegas Conde de Montornés
The winery’s history dates back to the mid-1800s and is owned by the D. Enrique María Trénor family. The vines extend over an area of 1,000 hectares and the property has a unique location – on the hillside of Monte Arabé (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Wines such as Monastrell, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Petit-Verdot and Syrah are produced here, all with their own distinctive characteristics. Its location at 800 meters above sea level, combined with low rainfall and a high number of hours of sunshine, allows Bodegas Conde de Montornés to produce good quality wines. The winery offers guided tours followed by wine tasting.
Bodegas Castaño
One family, one story, one passion. Ramón Castaño Santa, the founder of Bodegas Castaño, started producing wine in 1950. It wasn’t long before his sons Ramón, Juan Pedro and Daniel were also involved in the family business. The winery produces a range of quality wines based on the Monastrell grape. Bodegas Castaño produces red wine, white wine, rose wine and dessert wine. The winery offers guided tours followed by wine tasting.
Bodegas Barahonda
In 1850, Pedro Candela Soriano began producing and selling small quantities of wine. This lasted until 1925 when Antonio Candela García started a small winery. Since then, the Candela family has dedicated their lives to wine – and Bodegas Barahonda is the result of their passion. Today’s winery was completed in 2006 and is run by the fourth generation. The winemaking is built on knowledge, experience and traditions handed down from father to son. Their wines are expressive, with intense color and flavor, winning numerous awards every year. Bodegas Barahonda also has a renowned restaurant, La Terrasse, which is recommended by the Michelin Guide (2022). Here it is recommended to combine food tasting with wine tasting.
Bodegas La Purísíma
Since 1946, the winery has been transforming grapes into great wines. This has resulted in The Great Wines of Yecla. Ever since bottling their first wines, the owners have been committed to quality, innovation and tradition. The winery offers a guided tour followed by wine tasting.
Bodegas Evine
The vineyard dates back to the second half of the 19th century and the Martínez-Quintanilla family is still thriving between the vines and with the production. Since 2003, the winery has been located in the same place as the vines, in the area of Las Cabezuelas, just outside Yecla town. As much as 90 percent of the wines are made from the Monastrell grape and the rest from Cabernet-Sauvignon and Syrah. The winery offers a guided tour followed by wine tasting.
Different routes in Yecla
Different routes give you a variety of options depending on your interests and wishes. The Archaeological Route explores the rich historical heritage of Yecla. The Nature Route is suitable for those who want to experience the beautiful landscape. The Cultural Route covers the city’s monuments and artistic heritage. The Culinary Route is the perfect way to sample the local cuisine. Of course, a combination is the best solution so that you get a taste of everything this great area has to offer.
An overview of festivals and celebrations
Every year a number of festivals and celebrations are organized. April
The Wine and Tapas Route May
The Annual Wine Tourism Gala September
The Wine Harvest Festival (with the traditional trampling of grapes) November
European Wine Tourism Day
Noche Tinta
Wine Tourism Marathon
Wine and Spoon Festival (where you get to taste the first Monastrell wines)
A warm and tasty thank you to the Spanish Tourist Office and Yecla Ruta Del Vino Enológigo for inviting me. My flights, accommodation, meals, transportation and activities were covered.
There is no requirement from the suppliers to post or promote on social media. Opinions and images are, as always, my own.
