Jumilla at the southern end of the Levante in south-eastern Spain is one of the country's major up-and-coming regions, yet its wines are still considered an insider tip. Largely isolated from the Mediterranean by a mountain range and the high altitude, which only occasionally has a moderating effect on the continental climate with short, crisp winters and long, very warm summers through appropriate winds, this region is home to an outstanding grape variety that is able to withstand this demanding, harsh climate and deliver excellent results - the Monastrell. And with Casa Castillo, there is also an absolute top winery here, which will certainly bring Jumilla increasingly into the focus of attractive wine lovers in the future. The winery, originally founded in 1870 by French emigrants, was acquired by the Sanchez-Cerezo family in 1941. However, the focus on wine was set by the 2nd generation of the family under Nemesio and his son José M. Vicente in 1985, who gave the winery a meteoric start towards the top of Spanish viticulture. On the one hand, they introduced new grape varieties, but also relied on parcels with ancient Monastrell vines. One plot even still has vines with their original roots from the time before the great phylloxera catastrophe. They also renovated the outdated company building and installed state-of-the-art cellar technology. But the family also knows that it is not the technology that determines the quality of a wine, but the terroir. Great importance is therefore attached to ensuring that the limestone-rich soil of Jumilla and the character of the Monastrell are reflected in the wines. Today, Casa Castillo is considered the pioneer of a quality revolution in the region, and the wines are highly regarded by critics, at least since the wine "Pie Franco", which comes from those same old Prephylloxera vines, was awarded 100 out of 100 points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate for the 2020 vintage.
