At a grand and inspiring awards ceremony, 12 outstanding wines were honored with the coveted Gold Medal – recognition of exceptional craftsmanship, terroir-driven character, and superior quality.
The prestigious 31st Certamen de Calidad Vinos DOP Jumilla have officially announced this year’s results, marking a significant milestone in the region’s ongoing pursuit of excellence. At a grand and inspiring awards ceremony that brought together 400 industry experts to the Salones Media Luna in Jumilla; with food journalist Estefanía García serving as master of ceremonies.
Rigorous Standards and Expert Judging
This year’s Certamen de Calidad was guided by the core principles of “streamlined rules and uncompromising quality.”
The newly formed judging panel consisted of esteemed sommeliers, industry mentors, and media professionals (composed of sommeliers, trainers, and communicators). In a rigorous selection process, only wines scoring above 90 points were eligible for awards.
Highlights from 31st Certamen de Calidad Vinos DOP Jumilla
Refined Award Structure: The awards were streamlined into six core categories. To further highlight the excellence of specific categories, two special awards were added: Best Monastrell Wine and Best Organic Wine, both encouraging the cultivation and production of the queen variety Monastrell, and recognizing commitment to sustainable and high-quality winemaking.
Outstanding Winery Performance: A total of nine wineries were recognized, with Casa de La Ermita taking home three awards. BSI and Bleda followed closely, each receiving two accolades.
Industry Advocacy: This year’s event also served as a platform to call for the protection of dry-farmed and heritage vineyards, emphasizing their vital role in preserving both ecological balance and cultural legacy.
Silvano García, president of the Regulatory Council of the Jumilla Designation of Origin (DOP), pleaded for protection against environmental disasters such as drought and hail. He placed special emphasis on the urgency of preserving dryland vineyards, threatened for being less profitable than irrigated ones, but which are guardians of the land, its biodiversity, and its landscape.
The Awards
The award-winning wines at the 31st Jumilla DOP Wine Quality Competition were:
Best White Wines
- Carchelo Orange 2024, Bodegas Carchelo
- En Contacto 2023, Dobledepérez Microbodega
Best Rosé Wines
- Señorío de Fuenteálamo Monastrell Rosado Ecological 2024, Bodegas San Dionisio
- Castillo San Simón Monastrell Rosado 2024, García Carrión 1890
Best Young Red Wines
- Infiltrado Ecological 2024, Casa de la Ermita
- Marzas 2024, Bodegas Delampa
Best Red Wines Made in Contact with Wood for Up to 5 Months
- Pino Doncel Black 2024, Bodegas Bleda
- Casa de la Ermita Roble 2024, Casa de la Ermita
Best Red wines made in contact with wood for 6 months or more
- Alceño 12 Monastrell Cepas Viejas 2022, Bodegas Alceño
- Sabatacha Crianza 2020, Bodegas BSI
Best Sweet Wines
- Lacrima Christi, Bodegas BSI
- Amatus 2023, Bodegas Bleda
SPECIAL MENTION
FOR BEST MONASTRELL WINE
- Marzas 2024, Bodegas Delampa
FOR BEST ORGANIC WINE
- Infiltrado 2024 organic, Casa de la Ermita
The naturally sweet wine Lacrima Christi from Bodegas BSI was once again the top-scoring wine of the competition.
The Terroir of Jumilla: Timeless and Resilient
DOP Jumilla’s winemaking legacy dates back to 3000 BCE, some of the oldest vineyards in Europe. The climatic characteristics, with scarce rainfall of barely 300 mm per year and more than 3,000 hours of sunshine, provide ideal conditions for organic farming, which is the predominant practice in this designation of origin.
More than 20,000 hectares of vineyards, mostly dryland and bush-shaped, located on predominantly limestone soils. The total number of old vineyards in the Jumilla DOP accounts for more than 20% of the area, with the Monastrell variety being the majority (90% of the old vines). It is estimated that a large part of this old vine is planted ungrafted, at least 1,000 hectares, with 89% being Monastrell, 6% Airén, and 3% Garnacha Tintorera.
A Call to Protection of dryland vineyards and old vines
During the Gala, Silvano García, President of the DOP Jumilla Regulatory Council, called for greater protection of dryland vineyards and old vines, stressing their role in maintaining the region’s land, biodiversity and cultural identity. He highlighted the urgent need to protect these unique ecosystems and requested increased support from governmental authorities to ensure these dryland vineyards and old vines can be properly protected and developed sustainably.
DOP Jumilla’s vision extends beyond excellence in wine – it is a model of sustainability, tradition, and deep respect for nature. Join us in celebrating this year’s winners and safeguarding the living heritage of DOP Jumilla, one of the oldest wine regions in Spain and Europe. Find out more about Jumilla
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