Murcia's wine sector receives €8 million boost as 2025 grape harvest begins
Councillor Sara Rubira praises regional wineries exporting to over 100 countries and highlights investment and promotion aid
The grape harvest is underway in Murcia and this year’s crop could reach around 45,000 tons, even after some rough storms hit the area back in May. Minister Sara Rubira dropped by the vineyards at Bodegas Barahonda in Yecla to see how things are shaping up and to highlight the region’s strong wine industry.“We’re lucky to have three designations of origin here, producing some fantastic wines that put Murcia on the map,” said Rubira. “That’s why the regional government is backing the sector with over €8 million in aid this year - to help with everything from promoting our wines overseas, to investing in wineries, and supporting vineyard improvements.”
Of that, more than €6 million will help wineries promote their products in other countries and improve their facilities. Sixteen wineries applied for assistance to boost their presence abroad, and €2.5 million is going towards helping them attend international fairs and events. Seven others are investing in upgrades and will receive €3.5 million to support those improvements.
There’s also over €2 million aimed at vineyard conversion and green harvesting. The latter is a technique to improve grape quality by trimming excess fruit, with 180 applications covering 1,100 hectares getting €1.62 million in aid. Another €500,000 is helping 19 producers reshape their vineyards.
Despite the setbacks caused by those May storms, Rubira is confident about the wine’s quality. “What’s clear is that the quality will be exceptional, and our wines will continue to be national and international benchmarks,” she said.
Mayor Remedios Lajara of Yecla, who accompanied Rubira during the vineyard visit, echoed the positive outlook as the 2025 harvest gets underway in the area.
Last year, Murcia’s wines brought in €75 million from exports to 112 countries like the US, Germany, the UK, Canada, Japan, and Mexico.
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Image: Ayuntamiento de Yecla/Facebook
Address
Plaza Mayor, Casa de los Arcos, s/n 30510 YECLATel: 968 754 104
Oficina de Turismo de Yecla
In early 2025, due to renovation work at the usual office, the service is located on the other side of the Plaza Mayor at Calle Epifanio Ibáñez nº 2 (click for map).
Yecla is a large municipality in the north of the Region of Murcia, home to just under 35,000 people, and these days is best known for its wines, which enjoy Denomination of Origin status, and its furniture production, which has its origins in the abundance of pine trees on the mountainsides and the high plateaux.
While visitors in the 21st century may be attracted primarily by wine tourism, the town (or city, as it was proclaimed in 1878) also has a wide historical, cultural and natural heritage, and an identity quite different from the coastal areas of the Region of Murcia. For this reason it is often grouped together with its neighbour and fellow wine-producing area Jumilla as part of the Altiplano area.
Yecla borders with Castilla-La Mancha and the Region of Valencia and is closer to Alicante coastal areas than much of Murcia. These visitors come to see the historic old town itself - an atmospheric and interesting place, crammed full of history - the natural beauty of Monte Arabí, with stunning views for those who enjoy the outdoors, the gastonomy and of course the wine route.
Yecla boasts cave paintings from 10,000 years ago in Monte Arabí, a Bronze Age settlement at El Arabilejo, Iberian remains in El Pulpillo and a Roman administrative centre at Los Torrejones as well as the remnants of the 11th century Moorish castle on the hill behind the town. More modern (and complete) testimony to the past are the buildings in the town centre, which include the grandiose Basílica de la Purísima, with its striking blue dome, the archaeological museum and the attractive Plaza Mayor, where the 16th century Town Hall stands alongside the Renaissance Casa de los Alarcos, the clock tower and the old grain store.
The tourist office holds a full selection of leaflets, maps, pre-planned routes, accommodation and restaurant options and information about visiting Yecla for both individuals and groups.
There is parking close to the tourist office, although those driving to Yecla for the first time are advised to park in Calle Perales.
For further information go to the home page of Yecla Today.
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Friday 8.00 to 15.00
Saturdays 10.30 to 14.00 and 17.00 to 19.30.
Public holidays 10.30 to 14.00
Click for map, Yecla tourist office
