Jumilla sits in the province of Murcia around sixty miles from the Mediterranean coast. A dynamic force of this vibrant area is Bodegas Luzón. Founded in 1916 by a group of families with a long standing winemaking tradition it was taken on by new owners in the late 1990’s. They have invested heavily in the enterprise: the winery has been largely rebuilt and extensively modernised, a new, young winemaking team with fresh ideas brought in, soils analysed and vineyards replanted. They have over 600 hectares of vineyard with mainly Monastrell (Mourvèdre), Tempranillo, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
The area gets 3000 hours of sunshine a year and almost no rain with low temperatures in winter. At 700m above sea level it is a harsh, arid place and with its pale, chalky soil looks occasionally lunar, well-suited to the growing of Monastrell which accounts for 80% of the region’s grape production. This grape was first documented in the 14th century although its use in the area for winemaking seems to precede this date. In Jumilla it gives red wines with an intense ruby colour, violet tones and abundant fruit aromas. It is meaty on the palate woth acidic verve and alcoholically powerful (anywhere between 13% and 15%). Young, the wines are lively and fresh while crianzas and reservas are rich, rounded and well-structured. Other grape varieties used include Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Petit Verdot and the white grapes Chardonnay and Macabeo.