Jumilla wine route, Bodega Alceño
The oldest commercial winery in the D.O Jumilla
Bodegas Alceño is the oldest commercial winery in the Jumilla Denomination of Origin area, having been founded in 1870, and some of the buildings it occupies in the north of the town have been in use for over a century.
However, this does not mean that production techniques are still rooted in the past, and nowadays the Bodega employs modern wine-making techniques to ensure that quality is maintained at the highest possible standards throughout the production process. At the same time, considerable effort is made to ensure that innovations are implemented in order to cater for changing client preferences and quality regulations, while at the same time respecting the traditions which brought success in the past.
Among these traditions is the custom of leaving the wine in its “purest” state, meaning that rather than filtering it there is often some sediment left in the bottle: far from being a defect, this is part of the natural maturing process, although other wineries prefer to remove as much of the sediment as possible.
At the same time, HACCP control procedures are in place in order to guarantee traceability and quality from the vine to the bottle, and as a result of this combination of tradition and technology Bodegas Alceño continues to win awards and prizes for its production year after year.
The wines of Bodegas Alceño
Alceño inédito: a limited edition wine made from Garnacha grapes grown at an altitude of 800 metres above sea level, and picked in the second half of September. Only grpaes from vines producing udner 1.5 kilos were used, and after 15 days fermenting they were matured in American oak barrels for 3 months. They then passed to French oak barrels for 9 months before another 6 months in French Jupils oak barrels, and this exlusive wine was finally bottled in April 2016.
Alceño Tinto Joven: a fruity young red wine made from grapes of the Monastrell (70%), Syrah (20%) and Tempranillo (10%) varieties.
Alceño 12 Meses Twelve Tw: this wine is described as “elegant”, and is made using the grapes from some of the oldest vines in Jumilla. It is aged for 12 months (hence its name) in French and American oak barrels. 85% Monastrell, 15% Syrah.
Alceño Organic Ecológico: made using grapes from vineyards with certified ecological agricultural practices, this is a coupage of Monastrell (85%), Syrah (10%) and Garnacha (5%) wines.
Alceño 4 Meses Roble: an expressive red wine made from hand-picked Monastrell grapes (85%) modified by 15% Syrah.
Alceño Syrah Premium 50 Barricas: a modern wine based on Syrah grapes (85%) but benefitting from the inclusion of the Monastrell variety (15%).
Alceño Selección Crianza: a classic wine produced by a coupage of selected Monastrell, Syrah and Tempranillo wine aged in oak barrels for 9 months. 75% Monastrell, 15% Syrah, 10% Tempranillo.
Alceño Dulce: a sweet wine produced from the last Monastrell grapes to be picked, with aromas of raisins and figs. 100% Monastrell.
Alceño Blanco Joven: a fresh-tasting white produced by ensuring a temperature of just 10 degrees during maceration. 100% Sauvignon Blanc.
Alceño Rosado Joven: Alceño was the first winery in Jumilla to produce rosé wine, and this one has a pleasing fruity aroma. 90% Monastrell, 10% Syrah.
Visiting Bodegas Alceño
Alceño is one of the few wineries which are still located in the town centre of Jumilla, and while of course this means that it is not surrounded by picturesque vineyards at the same time it makes it easy and convenient to visit for those who are in the town for the day (or who are anxious to avoid drinking and driving!).
The visit begins with a viewing of the oldest part of the premises, which has remained intact since the winery’s foundation in 1870, and a brief overview of the company’s history over the last 150 years. Visitors then move on to the production and maturing area, which includes many of the older concrete tanks which allow extra minerality in the end product as well as the more modern stainless steel containers, and here the entire production process is explained.
At the end of the standard tour, which costs 5€ per head, there is a tasting of two wines, while a more extended tour is available at 10€ per head with a guided tasting session, accompanied by aperitifs. For this option a minimum group size of 10 people is required.
A tour of the premises typically takes approximately one hour, and visits can be booked on weekdays from 8.30 to 14.00 and 16.00 to 19.00 (morning only in July and August) and by special arrangement at weekends. Prior reservation is required at all times.
The shop is also open for wine purchases between these standard hours.
Contact details
Address: Calle del Duque, 34, 30520 Jumilla, Región de Murcia (click for map)
Telephone: (+34) 968 780142
Email: info@alceno.com
For more information about visiting Jumilla, including what's on, local news and all of the bodegas on the Jumilla wine route, visit the home page of Jumilla Today.
