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Bodegas Luzón is one of the longest established of the many wine producers in the municipality of Jumilla, in the north of the Region of Murcia, having celebrated its centenary in 2016, but at the same time it is one of those which has seen most expansion and modernization over the last few years, and part of this process has been the concerted efforts to make it an easy and attractive place to visit.
These efforts, it has to be said, have been a great success, and the result is that those visiting the facilities are welcomed into a large, warm, modern reception area and offered a tour which combines all of the professionalism of modern wine production with some of the fascinating details of the centuries-old traditions of wine-making in Jumilla.
The past and present of Bodegas Luzón
Bodegas Luzón dates back to the year 1916, when the first partners formed a cooperative which was to grow substantially in subsequent decades, and continued to expand throughout the rest of the twentieth century.
The current winery as it exists today, though, began to take shape as recently as 2005, when Bodegas Luzón was taken over by Grupo Fuertes, the holding company which also includes the El Pozo meat production concern in Alhama de Murcia. Fuertes undertook an important investment program to refurbish and modernize the whole of the production facility, making it possible to achieve the high standards for which Luzón is now renowned.
With a total floor area of over 12,000 square metres, the redesigned headquarters retain many of the original features from a century ago but also include large areas of glass and wood, and this modern look using traditional materials reflects the company’s mentality. The best of the past has been retained and combined with the improvements offered by innovative technology, with experienced winemakers and grape-growers working side by side with lab technicians and enologists to produce wines with strong, individual personalities.
The vineyards
The grapes used by Bodegas Luzón come from a variety of locations within the Denomination of Origin of Jumilla.
In all there are approximately 1,200 hectares of vineyards, many of them at two plantations: one is at Castillo de Madax, at an altitude of some 600 metres above sea level, while the other is on somewhat lower ground at Finca La Solana, around 450 metres above sea level to the south-west of the winery. Although the Monastrell variety is the most dominant one, as is almost universally the case in Jumilla, other strains are also grown and are used in different combinations to produce the numerous labels marketed by Bodegas Luzón.
The wine production process
At Bodegas Luzón special importance is placed on the issues of traceability and temperature control, with all grapes being kept in refrigerated conditions after arrival and throughout the elaboration process. At a later stage, great care is also taken over the process of aging in oak barrels, and for some of the more exclusive products the traditional method of aging in the bottle is also used.
All of these aspects are amply covered during the guided tour of the premises, with plenty of opportunities to appreciate the scale of production at Luzón and the ways in which modern technology and tradition are used side by side.
At present Bodegas Luzón produces around 4 million bottles of wine every year, of which around 60% is exported. The most important export markets are those of the USA, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, the UK, China and Japan.
The wines of Bodegas Luzón
Premium wines
Alma de Luzón: 70% Monastrell, 30% Syrah. Made using selected grapes from vineyards which have been owned by Bodegas Luzón for over 50 years, this is considered the “alma mater” product of Bodegas Luzón.
Altos de Luzón: Made from selected hand-picked Monastrell grapes aged in French and American oak barrels, this is one of Bodegas Luzón’s “star products”, and has won many awards.
Por Tí: Monastrell and Cabernet Sauvignon. Produced from grapes harvested at 600 metres above sea level and subsequently aged for 22 months in oak barrels, this is another of the most prestigious products of the winery.
Mindoro: an unusual white made from the rare Viognier grape, which in the 1960s was almost extinct but has experienced a revival in recent decades.
The Luzón Collection
Luzón Colección Blanco (50% Macabeo y 50% Sauvignon Blanc): using grapes grown on trellised vines over 20 years old at altitudes of over 800 metres above sea level. Pairings include all kinds of shellfish, prawns dressed in garlic and parsley, grilled or oily fish with mild sauces, higher fat poultry dishes (duck, goose) and vegetables in tempura or sautéed with ham and cheese.
The ideal temperature for serving is between 4 and 6°C, and it is important to store it at a constant 16°C.
Luzón Colección Crianza (70% Monastrell, 30% Garnacha Tintorera): Aged for 12 months in French and American oak barrels, these deep red wine includes spicy notes, liquorice, black fruits such as blackcurrants and brambles, which combine with delicate tobacco notes. On the palate, this is a mature and elegant wine, and goes well with red meats, game, roasts, Iberian sausages, full-fat cheeses and a variety of stews.
The ideal temperature for drinking is between 14 and 16°C, and bottles should be stored at 16 degrees.
Luzón Colección Rosado: made using 100% Monastrell grapes, this rosé wine has notes of cherry and flowers and is a well blanaced accompaniment for salads, seafood, pasta and whilte meat. Also ideal with goat cheese, camembert and brie. Storage should be around 16 degrees, serving temperatura between 4 and 6ºC.
Luzón Colección Monastrell: another 100% Monastrell wine, this time red, which hints of cherry, strawberry and plum in the nose. Perfect with red meat dishes such as roast lamb and pasta with strong sauces.
Luzón Colección Garnacha Tintorera: an intensely deep, cherry red in colour, this is described as an “Expressive, intense and complex” wine on the nose with “aromas reminiscent of dark fruits (brambles, cherries), licorice and menthol”. Suggested pairings include red meats, game, roasts, Iberian sausages, full-fat cheeses and a variety of stews.
Luzón Roble: an intense cherry red Monastrell wine with a sweet spicy aroma and notes of coffee.
Ecological wines
Luzón Ecológico Blanco: A straw-coloured wine made from Airen grapes, full of floral aromas.
Luzon Organic: made from mature Monastrell grapes and fully recognized as an organic product by the regional government of Murcia.
Guided tours of Bodegas Luzón
One of the aspects on which importance has been placed during the modernization of the winery is wine tourism, and every effort is made to provide an interesting, informative and enjoyable visit to Bodegas Luzón.
Visitors arrive in the beautifully designed reception area, which also houses the bodega shop and the professional wine-tasting room. Most visitors will not be using this area, but it’s interesting to see where the experts pronounce judgement on the products!
All visits then move on through a charming old courtyard to the wine-sorting area, the vinification room and the storage tanks, but perhaps the highlight of the tour is the extensive underground area, in which as many as 2,400 aging barrels and racks can be seen in century-old cellars and the maze of corridors almost calls to mind a medieval dungeon! Here one of the most attractive areas is called “The Sanctuary”, where selections of bottles from each vintage are kept and guarded.
There are two standard models of tour, both of them offered in Spanish and English.
Luzón Experience
This visit consists of a tour of the closest vineyards and the winery itself, following the process of wine-making from start to finish. It ends with a tasting of three Luzón wines, accompanied by a small aperitif.
The visit lasts approximately 1 hour 45 minutes and is held from Monday to Thursday at 11.00 and 15.30, and on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 11.00 only.
The price for adult visitors is 9.50 euros per head, while accompanied children are admitted for 3 euros.
Luzón Premium Experience
As well as all of the elements of the “Experience” tour, this visit includes more personalized attention and offers the chance to taste wine directly from the barrels in which it is maturing, rather than only the finished product.
In addition, the tasting at the end of the visit includes one of the wines from the Luzón Premium collection.
Rounding off this visit is a tasting and pairing session prepared with the collaboration of one of the top restaurants of Jumilla, and including fine wines such as Por Ti, Alma de Luzón and the Luzón Colección Blanco.
The duration of this visit is approximately 2 hours 15 minutes and it is offered every day of the week at 12.00. The price is 30 euros per head – minors are not admitted. In addition, those with food allergies should inform the winery beforehand so that the restaurant can be informed.
Maximum group size 15 people.
Prior booking is required for both visits, with payment on arrival for the Luzón Experience and in advance for the Luzón Premium Experience.
Telephone: 968 784135
Email: info@bodegasluzon.com
Office hours during which bookings can be made are as follows:
Monday to Thursday 8.00 to 13.30 and 15.00 to 18.00
Friday 8.00 to 4.00
In addition to the standard tours, every autumn a series of “Vendimia abierta” days are held, at which special events are held to coincide with the grape-picking season. These include tasting events and talks as well as opportunities to actually take part in the harvest and tread the grapes in the traditional fashion. Most of these activities are offered only in Spanish.
How to get to Bodegas Luzón
The winery is located alongside the C-3314 road (also known as the RM-714) which leads to Cieza, Calasparra and Caravaca de la Cruz, and is no more than a couple of kilometres from the built-up centre of Jumilla. It is clearly signposted at a small roundabout which provides direct access to the ample car parking area.
Address: Carretera Jumilla-Calasparra, km 3,1, 30520 Jumilla, Región de Murcia
Telephone: 968 784135
Email: tour@bodegasluzon.com
Office timetable: Monday to Thursday 8.00 to 13.30 and 15.00 to 18.00, Friday 8.00 to 14.00.
For more information about visiting Jumilla, including what's on, local news and all of the bodegas on the Jumilla wine route, visit the home page of Jumilla Today.
