The Jumilla PDO held its first accredited course for educators, featuring a comprehensive program focused on incorporating information about this region into wine academies worldwide.

The Jumilla PDO once again demonstrates its commitment to training as a fundamental support tool for promoting this designation of origin, especially in international markets. It is taking the first steps to create a community of “Jumilla PDO Wine Educators” around the world, helping to disseminate knowledge about this Designation of Origin, the birthplace of Monastrell.

With this objective, the Regulatory Council has held promotional and educational activities this summer, most notably the first accredited course for educators of the Jumilla PDO, in collaboration with the Wine and Spirits Education Trust Global (WSET). A group of 20 teachers participated, gathering in Jumilla for a comprehensive program with international speakers including Beth Willard, the Australian expert on Spanish wine and Decanter’s representative in Spain; sommelier Valentín Checa, an Advanced Sommelier certified by the Court of Master Sommeliers, among others.

As highlighted by the Regulatory Council, this is not just an initiative to help educators worldwide learn about the region and share it with their students. The Jumilla PDO aims to increase the theoretical content about this region in wine textbooks and other materials around the globe, with the goal of

“claiming its rightful place as the best Designation of Origin in southeastern and central Spain. Its high-quality wines, competitive prices, and unique identity make it one of the best options available to consumers.”

The training was made possible thanks to the collaboration of the WSET, which continues to champion quality education as a fundamental element for the wine sector, preparing professionals to improve the industry through WSET educators who are constantly undergoing training. “The collaboration between WSET and the Jumilla PDO through its Jumilla Wine Educator course has been a great opportunity to bring a group of expert educators, WSET Certified Educators, from Asia, Europe, and the Americas to the region,” explained David Martín, DipWSET and APP Development Manager – EMEA for the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), and one of the participating educators.

They all had the opportunity to taste a selection of the area’s best wines, visit iconic wineries, and have the unforgettable experience of visiting two soil pits in the same vineyard, which was accompanied by an excellent presentation by Dr. Joaquín Cámara Gajate on the area’s soils and their effects on the vineyards. “I think these three days we spent in Jumilla were able to showcase what the region has to offer in terms of both diversity and quality,” explained David Martín.

Jorge Vila, WSET Certified Educator and director of Galicia Wine Academy, the only trainer with a Spanish phase who participated in the course, expressed a similar sentiment. “The Jumilla DO has surprised us with its more than 1,000 hectares of old, ungrafted vines, its dryland and organic farming practices, and the renowned quality of the Monastrell variety,” he explained, highlighting the importance of this region’s commitment to training as a marketing tool. “Without a doubt, the best way to showcase the personality of its wines and the characteristics of its terroir to the world is through the WSET schools located around the globe.” “Furthermore, the community of trainers created in these programs is very enriching. We share experiences and knowledge, as well as build a valuable network of contacts,” he explained.

With these kinds of initiatives, in addition to creating synergies among wine professionals worldwide, who have the opportunity to enrich their training through direct contact with the region, the Jumilla PDO is advancing its Jumilla Wine School. This school aims to launch various official courses on Jumilla PDO wines, both in-person and online, in bilingual English and Spanish formats, targeting different markets and focusing on the various types of professionals interested. David Martín concluded:

“I believe this trip has been very important in expanding the knowledge of the participating educators about Jumilla and its wines. I have no doubt that they will now continue this educational work and showcase the quality of Jumilla wines to their own students in their home countries,”