Monastrell Spain

Monastrell Spain is a non-profit association created in 2019 by five Regulatory Councils from the Southeast of Spain, from the Designations of Origin Alicante, Almansa, Bullas, Jumilla, and Yecla.

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In partnership with London Wine Academy
Funded by the European Union

Trade Partner Page

Your complete guide to Monastrell Spain

This page has been created exclusively for wine trade professionals, buyers, sommeliers, and educators in partnership with Monastrell Spain and London Wine Academy. Here you will find everything you need to understand, present, and champion Monastrell — from the five Denominations of Origin and upcoming events, to a downloadable wine list and direct contact with the association.

Upcoming Events
24 Apr
Friday
VIP Monastrell Lunch
The Punch Bowl, Mayfair
25 Apr
Saturday
Wine Alive Festival
Bristol
19 May
Tuesday – Thursday
London Wine Fair
ExCeL, London
Enquire about events →

About the Grape

The Monastrell Grape Variety

Also known internationally as:

Alcayata Balzac Espar Garrut Mataró Morrastel Mourvèdre (France)
Phenology

Characterised by a late budding period and a very late ripening cycle — one of the latest-ripening varieties grown in Spain.

Plant Characteristics

Very upright and vertical with reddish green stems and dark brown shoots. Pentagonal leaves with distinctive colouration.

The Grape

Small-medium berries with a very short stalk. Skin is bluish-black, juicy and colourless. Compact bunches with short stalks.

Agronomic Aptitudes

Requires high temperatures and is wind resistant. Needs short pruning and performs best in hot, dry inland Mediterranean climates.

Low Yield & Resilience

Adapts exceptionally well to dry climates. Low susceptibility to excoriosis and botrytis — an important asset as conditions change.

Oenological Potential

Sweet must, rich in colour with great aroma and bouquet. Suitable for carbonic maceration and the production of sweet and rancid wines.

The Five Denominations of Origin

Where Monastrell Grows

Jumilla

15,175 ha Under vine
56.55% of total

The heartland of Monastrell. Jumilla produces some of the most powerful and concentrated expressions of the variety — rich, structured wines from old, dry-farmed vines in a high-altitude continental climate.

Full appellation profile →

Alicante

6,382 ha Under vine
23.79% of total

From coast to mountain, Alicante produces a broad range — from fresh, vibrant young reds and rosés to complex, age-worthy wines with a distinctly Mediterranean character.

Full appellation profile →

Yecla

3,511 ha Under vine
13.09% of total

A small, single-municipality appellation with a strong identity. Yecla’s Monastrell is known for depth, elegance and remarkable consistency — a favourite with buyers seeking quality at value.

Full appellation profile →

Almansa

948 ha Under vine
3.53% of total

Sitting on the high plateau between Murcia and La Mancha, Almansa brings a slightly cooler influence to the variety — producing wines with notable freshness alongside the typical warmth of Monastrell.

Full appellation profile →

Bullas

816 ha Under vine
3.04% of total

The smallest and highest-altitude of the five DOs. Bullas produces wines of great aromatic finesse — the altitude moderates the heat and gives Monastrell a lighter, more perfumed character here.

Full appellation profile →

The Appellation

Five Denominations of Origin

Monastrell Spain — Denominations of Origin map
↓  Download Map

The Association & The Case for Monastrell

Why it’s time to talk about Monastrell

About Monastrell Spain

A non-profit association created in 2019 by five Regulatory Councils from the Southeast of Spain. Its mission: to promote and disseminate Monastrell wine and grapes in national and foreign markets, and to strengthen the competitiveness of the wineries and vine growers who produce them.

Key Activities

  • Wine promotion programmes & media campaigns
  • Fairs, exhibitions & international trade partnerships
  • Protecting the natural & viticultural heritage of the region

A Treasure of the Inner Mediterranean

Monastrell’s roots run deep in the history of Jumilla, Alicante, Yecla, Bullas, and Almansa, where it has been cultivated for centuries. More than a grape, it is a living symbol of the region’s winemaking heritage — a bridge between tradition and modernity, between wisdom and respect for the natural environment.

Resilience & Personality

Few varieties embody endurance quite like Monastrell. A long-cycle vine, it reaches full maturity late in the autumn after a summer of intense sunlight that concentrates flavours, aromas, and tannins. Its resistance to heat and drought makes it an invaluable ally in the face of climate change — maintaining equilibrium where other varieties falter.

One Variety, Many Expressions

Monastrell can produce fresh, fruit-forward young wines, vibrant rosés, and even complex sweet and fortified wines of great distinction. This adaptability offers winemakers the freedom to explore new expressions without losing the grape’s inherent identity — that signature blend of Mediterranean warmth, freshness, and character.

Authenticity & Commercial Value

For professionals and buyers, Monastrell offers exceptional quality at outstanding value, backed by a strong sense of provenance and sustainable production. With vast plantings across south-eastern Spain — much of it organically farmed from old, dry-farmed, ungrafted vines — it is both commercially attractive and environmentally relevant.

Explore the Range

Monastrell in Every Style

From powerful structured reds to vibrant rosés and rare historic sweet wines — Monastrell offers a remarkable breadth of expression across its five denominations of origin.

Culture & Gastronomy

A Land of Food, History & Tradition

Monastrell wine belongs to one of the Mediterranean’s most extraordinary culinary landscapes — where centuries of tapas culture, rice dishes, local cheeses, and pungent olive oils make the perfect setting for the variety. Understanding the region’s gastronomy is understanding the wine itself.

Discover the Heritage →

Trade Resources

Download the Wine List

A complete Excel spreadsheet of all featured Monastrell wines — including producer, denomination of origin, vintage, grape variety, tasting notes, and pricing. The essential reference for buyers, importers, and educators.

Get in Touch

Contact Monastrell Spain

For trade enquiries, event bookings, and partnership opportunities.

secretaria@monastrell.org www.monastrell.org

Wine Courses

From £129 per person