Parajes Del Valle, Jumilla, Spain

DO Jumilla, found deep within the Murcia in southeast of the Iberian Peninsula, has a predominantly continental climate, whilst till seeing some influence from the Mediterranean Sea. It is a sunny and arid climate, with more than 300 days of sunshine per year and very limited rainfall (c.300 ml per square meter per year) where the summers are very hot and the winters very cold. Here Monastrell reigns supreme, where the extreme heat and arid conditions means that high alcohol, ripe jammy fruit and rich flavours are common in , whilst still displaying the varietal’s textbook spice . Reds far outnumber whites, where Airen is perhaps the most interesting of the indigenous varietals. In terms of production, there is a long history of large co-operatives making passable table wines now with an increase of international varieties being added to the blends. Few but a growing number of growers are going it alone to create more original and interesting wine styles.

Parajes del Valle is a bright, new, exciting winery, established as recently as 2018. From Day One their wines have been in the young but experienced hands of Maria Jover, a 28 year old winemaker who counts Vegas Sicilia as a previous employer. Her modern views to winemaking are transforming the wines of the area. The certified organic Monastrell grapes all come from old vines (15-40 years) split across four plots (Fountain of the Partridges, La Cañada de Albatana and the Termino de Arriba in the north of Jumilla). They are maintained by the age-old “Terraje" system, meaning that the vineyards are rented out to the farmers, who give back 7% of the production in turn for taking good care of the vines. Almost all 80–90-year-old vines in Jumilla are maintained like this but are increasingly at risk of dying out as landowners want to change the system to the more productive and cost-effective system of irrigated vineyards. Parajes del Valle is adamant to protect the “Terraje” system, even paying a higher price for the grapes in guarantee the highest quality.