D.O. Yecla

Wine Tourism in D.O. Yecla

Yecla has its roots deeply set in viticulture and winemaking, which have shaped its landscape, its culture and the character of its people; today it coexists alongside an important furniture industry. The Denomination of Origin is made up solely of the lands of the municipality of Yecla, located to the north of the Altiplano region, in the northeast of the Region of Murcia, in southeastern Spain.

A unique area for unique wines

It was on 15 May 1975 that the Ministry of Agriculture granted the Denomination of Origin to this land and approved its first Regulation. It was from that moment that a slow revolution, driven by small private wineries and cooperatives which, through the use of new technologies, began the production of high-quality red wines that have placed this Denomination of Origin in a privileged position and with a great future.

The Protected Denomination of Origin of Yecla is a very dynamic denomination of origin, with a strong export vocation, since around 95% of its production is marketed outside Spain, and it is present in more than 40 countries around the world.

This winemaking tradition has been maintained over the centuries, giving rise to a consolidated and important winery industry, with a production of around 9,000,000 litres of protected wine per year.

The land and the climate

Yecla is a transition zone between the plateau and the Mediterranean; the most important characteristic from an orographic point of view of this area is the notable altitude of the high plateau, from which numerous mountain ranges stand out.

Zones

The vineyards are located at altitudes ranging between 535 and 800 metres above sea level. The glacis are the most typical and emblematic landform of the region. The main feature of the terrain is the endorheic character of its valleys. The soils of the area are generally of a calcareous type, with a thick subsoil containing carbonates and a sandy surface with clay formations. It is poor in organic matter but quite healthy and with adequate permeability.

Microclimates

The climate of Yecla is Mediterranean-continental (IGN). With long, cold winters and hot summers. The temperature is characterised by a high thermal range (of 20ºC), which allows for excellent ripening. Rainfall is scarce and concentrated in autumn and spring, often in the form of stormy downpours. Throughout the year, average rainfall hovers around 300 mm. Over the last decade, the recorded hours of sunshine have averaged 3,385 hours.

The D.O. Yecla authorises a wide variety of wine styles, although it mainly produces red wines, which are based on the Monastrell variety, alone or accompanied by other authorised varieties; specific varietals of Syrah, Merlot and Petit Verdot are also made.

The wines of Yecla are characterised by their diversity, in which balance, a high aromatic intensity and great fruit concentration predominate.

The land of monastrell

If anything identifies this Denomination of Origin, it is undoubtedly the Monastrell variety, constituting practically a monoculture. It is a demanding vine of delicate cultivation, which has found in our area an ideal place to develop all its potential and is able to transmit it through its wines.

Wines of intense colour, very expressive and fruity on the nose, with lively tannins on the palate and great structure; it has a high oxidative power. Wines of notable alcohol content are obtained; Monastrell only develops all its varietal potential from 13 degrees.

It is a variety of Spanish origin, which likes the sun, and prefers light, deep, well-drained soils with a presence of limestone.

It is able to withstand prolonged periods of drought, during which its development and production drop considerably; when conditions become favourable again, it recovers.

Experiences to enjoy in D.O. Yecla

Discover this wine region made up solely of the plots of the municipality of Yecla, Murcia.