Bodegas Barahonda winery affiliated to the Yecla Wine Route
The main labels of Bodegas Barahonda are Barahonda, Carro, Heredad, Candela, Lualma and Summum
Bodegas Barahonda offers a complete package for those who enjoy not only learning about and appreciating the different nuances of wine from the Region of Murcia but also those who take pleasure in combining fine wine with fine food in attractive surroundings.
Bodegas Barahonda is steeped in the history of winemaking, but has adopted a thoroughly modern and contemporary attitude to its investment into the future. As such it is the home of one of the most attractive and elegant bodegas in the Murcia Region, offering a calming, satisfying and enriching visit.
Visitors are advised to arrive with an empty car boot as the temptation to buy a few bottles to try at home is irresistible after sampling the products and the excellent dining options on offer. Unfortunately, these wines are difficult to find in retail outlets in Murcia as most of the production is exported, so if you like what you try, buy on site to avoid frustration later! (An online service with home delivery is also offered).
The bodega offers visits and tastings without the need to eat in the restaurant, just as diners are welcome to book for the restaurant without taking a tour of the premises. Full packages are offered combining all three elements, for groups from between 2 and 60 people in English and Spanish, all by prior arrangement.
Yecla wines and Barahonda
The Yecla DO was granted in 1975, although wine has been produced in this area for thousands of years. The Phoenicians were certainly trading wines produced on what is now the Spanish mainland as far back as 1100BC and the Romans exported substantial quantities of wine from territories in Spain throughout the Empire. Amphorae from Spain have been found in settlements across France and Spanish wine was even exported to Roman soldiers guarding border settlements in modern-day Britain.
Ample evidence of Roman occupation can be seen in Yecla today (see here for the history of Yecla) and remains of Roman Yecla can be seen in the Archaeological Museum. Wine production in Yecla has been part of the local economy for centuries and production in the Candela family (which runs Bodegas Barahonda) can be traced back to the mid-19th century, when records exist of wine sales made by Pedro Candela Soriana. In 1925 Antonio Candela García founded the family bodega, which was subsequently run by Antonio Candela Poveda and later by his sons Antonio and Alfredo, these four generations bringing their intimate knowledge of the soil, vines and climate to bear in the products of the bodega today.
The striking premises which welcome visitors today were built in 2006 and are surrounded by vineyards, some of the vines nearly a century old. While this makes for a picturesque setting it is also highly practical, as visitors can walk straight out of the front door and into a field of vines to learn about the cultivation and cropping of grapes.
The vineyards
There are two distinct areas of cultivation for DO Yecla wines; Campo Arriba and Campo Abajo ( literally high and low fields). The area sits on the edge of the Cordillera Subbética mountain range, 80km inland from the coast and on the edge of the hot, dry interior of central Spain. Vineyards in the DO range from 400 to 800 metres above sea level.
Bodegas Barahonda owns 150 hectares of its own vines and buys grapes from a further 600 hectares, controlling production in collaboration with the agriculturalists farming the plots, with plots in both Campo Arriba and Campo Abajo.
Campo Arriba vineyards in different areas of the north of Yecla at between 700 and 800 metres above sea level. Here the soil contains 80% limestone, 5% sand and 15% clay, whereas the plots in Campo Abajo are between 400 and 500 metres 30% limestone, 5% sand and 65% clay.
These varied soil conditions, combined with low rainfall, annual climate fluctuations between –6ºC in winter months and 40ºC in summer and diurnal variations in temperature favour a slow ripening and concentration of flavour on vines with comparatively low yields, particularly the most widely produced strain in the Barahonda armoury, the Monastrell. This vine puts down very deep roots and produces a gutsy, deep red wine which is fresh and packed with mouth-popping tannins when young. It ages well in oak, with plenty of potential for blending.
The bodega also grows Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Tintorera and Petit Verdot grapes with which to produce red wines, and Verdejo, Macabeo and Airén for the production of whites.
Bodegas Barahonda wines:
Barahonda Organic: A coupage of Monastrell and Syrah, farmed organically, aged in French oak for six months.
Campo Arriba Cepas Viejas
A coupage of Garnacha tintorera (10%), Monastrell (70%)and Syrah ( 20%) from older vines in Campo Arriba at between 700 and 900 metres. Aged in French oak for 3 months
Carro
50% Monastrell grapes, 50% of Syrah, Tempranillo and Merlot, produced on vines aged at least 30.
Heredad Candela Petit Verdot
100% Petit Verdot, aged in American oak for 16 months. Full bodied, fruity, striking cherry red.
Summum
100% Monastrell, aged for 16 months, before blending, 90% American oak and 10% French oak aging. Intense toasted aroma and deep fruit body. Recommended for desserts. Limited production of 2,050 bottles.
Barahonda Barrica
A blend of Monastrell and Syrah grapes, with long maceration at 25ºC, aged in French oak for six months, bottled and cellared for further six months. Strong cherry red, smooth, hint of light oak, refreshing autumn fruit notes and lingering texture. Very palatable red, better at slightly warmer temperatures between 16º/18ºC. A good buy in its price bracket.
Zona Zepa
100% Monastrell. Vines are all very mature, most over 100 years old. Hand harvested in small casks of only 10 kilos. Aged for 20 months in French oak, yielding an intense deep, wine
Barahonda Blanco
100% Verdejo. A striking clear yellow wine with green and citrus notes. Best served with fish or seafood.
Barahonda Crianza
This wine is produced from 50- to 55-year-old Monastrell vines and 20+-year-old Syrah and Petit Verdot vines, aged for 12 months in American and French oak.
Tranco
Made with Monastrell and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. The Cabernet Sauvignon is aged separately for 3 months in American and French oak barrels.
Barahonda Monastrell
100% Monastrell, young wine, unaged in oak.
Heredad Candela Monastrell
100% Monastrell from vineyards older than 60 years and grown in dry climate conditions. Made in low capacity vats. Aging in French barrels (500 litres) for nine months.
Campo Arriba
Varieties: Monastrell, Syrah and Tintorera. Aged 3 months in French oak barrels.
Casa del Capitán
A Macabeo white and a Monastrell red.
A visit to the bodega
There are two main options available for those wishing to visit the bodega, with tour times set at 11.30 from Tuesday to Saturday (prior booking is essential).
1. Guided tour with a tasting of three wines: a guided walk through the vineyards and premises to learn about the grapes and the production process, followed by three glasses of wine and an aperitif.
Price 10 euros per head.
2. Premium tour: the package includes an extra wine from the Premium selection and is priced at 15 euros per head.
NOTE: If bookings are made in the Restaurante Barahonda a discount of 5 euros is applicable to these prices.
For children aged 12 to 17 the wine tasting is replaced by soft drinks.
Restaurant opening times: Tuesday to Sunday for lunch, Friday and Saturday for dinner.
For restaurant bookings or further information: restaurante@barahonda.com, telephone +34 968 753604 / +34 672 790773.
The restaurant was awarded a sun by the Guía Repsol for 2015, an award which has been repeated in subsequent editions. it can be visited independently of a wine tour and booked for private functions. There are two menu options priced at 55 and 73 euros per head.
Bodega shop:
The bodega shop is open from Monday to Thursday from 9.00 to 14.00 and from 15.00 to 17.00 and on Fridays from 9.00 to 14.00.
Contact details
Address: Bodegas Barahonda, Carretera Pinoso km 3, 30510 Yecla (click for map)
Phone number: +34 968 718696 / +34 637 882831
E-mail: info@barahonda.com, enoturismo@barahonda.com
Web: www.barahonda.com
Further information can also be found at www.rutadelvinoyecla.com.
If visiting Yecla don’t forget to make sure your first port of call is the tourist office (Plaza Mayor, 1, telephone 968 754104, email turismo@yecla.es).
For more local events, news and visiting information go to the home page of Yecla Today.
