Parajes del Valle, Jumilla Terraje Monastrell 2018

100% Monastrell produced from 40 years old vines with aromas of ripe red fruits, forest, flowers and herbs. On the palate, it is medium bodied, juicy, fruity, elegant, with soft tannins, a fresh acidity, easy to drink on its own, or paired with poultry and cheeses.

6 Ha vineyard. 40 years old vines. Rocky soil. Dry climate (300ml rainfall). Organic Farming. Manual Harvest. 10 months Ageing in Oak Barrels. 5 600 bottles produced.

Parajes del Valle was established in 2018 by 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 come from old vines split across 4 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 for the highest quality.