The region of Valdepenas is at the southern end of the plateau of La Mancha and the wine region of Castilla-La Mancha. The Sierra Morena forms the border from Valdepenas towards Andalusia.
Unlike La Mancha, the Valdepenas region has its own DO. The Sierra Morena forms a natural wall against mild Mediterranean influences, so that the region, located at about 700 meters, has a continental climate similar to La Mancha. Rainfall here is concentrated in late fall or winter, and hot summers are particularly dry. Soils in the gently rolling landscape are primarily limestone, sand and clay, while the north has a higher percentage of quartzite and red clay.
The main grape variety in Valdepenas - as in La Mancha - is the white Airen, from which plain white wines are produced, although a large part is used more for the production of Brandy de Jerez. Better results are obtained with the Macabeo variety.
In the warm climate, however, the red wines are much more interesting and produced here from Cencibel - the common name for the Tempranillo grape variety -, Garnacha Tinta and even Cabernet Sauvignon. The best red wines can withstand ageing in small French or American oak barrels. Depending on the length of ageing, these wines are marketed as Reserva or Gran Reserva. Bodega Felix Solis is one of the largest producers in Spain in terms of volume.
