This eastern region called in generally Levante (Levant) has a rich history in wine-making going back to Paleolithic Era preserving some traces in archaeological site called La Solana de las Pilillas.

Viticulture flourished around Valencia during the Roman Empire as they have been importing more grape varieties to the region. At the same time Romans had been modifying proper wine making introducing irrigation and other elements of Roman engineering.

Wine production of Levant was highly appreciated in Roman Empire and even later during Moorish domination the production was significant thanks its social aspect. Another shiny epoch came with Reconquest.

Total Area: 56.000+ ha.

Total Wineries: 240+ Wineries (2023)

Eco Cultivation: 17.379 ha (2023)

D.O. Utiel-Requena

The biggest P.D.O. in Autonomous Community of Valencia, located inland direction Castilla-La Mancha was established in 1932. In 1265 the king Alfonso X El Sabio (Alfonso X of Castile) created law called Guardián de las Viñas to support the cultivation.

Utiel-Requena remembers viticulture since times of Iberians preserving archaeological settlement La Solana de las Pilillas not far from historical city of Requena.

This mountainous area has altitude between 650-905 m.a.s., average rainfall index is 400 liters per year and in total over 2700 hours of sun. In 2023 there were any 110 bodegas / wineries producing wine.

Bobal – the indigenous jewel. This grape is covering 67% of the whole surface around Utiel-Requena, any 21.876 ha of which 47% are trunks older than 40 years.

The climate is Mediterranean with some continental aspects like early frosts, hailstorms, huge differences between day-night temperatures. Dark brown soil is permeable and poor in organic matters, phosphor and magnesium. It has elevated lime content and good balance between lime, sand and clay parts.

Authorized Grape Varieties

WHITE: Merseguera, Sauvignon Blanc, Macabeo, Tardana, Chardonnay, Tortosí, Xarel-lo, Godello, Viognier, Garnacha Blanca, Albariño.

RED: Bobal, Tempranillo, Garnacha, Garnacha Tintorera, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet Franc, Graciano, Monastrell.

Official Quality Label

Recommended Wineries

Vino 6 Elemento – Venta del Moro (Province of Valencia)

De Moya – Utiel (Province of Valencia)

Vicente Gandía – Chiva (Province of Valencia)

D.O. Valencia

This P.D.O. was established in 1932 like Utiel-Requena and even here the history of viticulture goes back to Romans. The area covers any 13.000 ha with 90 wineries and is divided in small sub-regions according to the location and altitude:

• Alto Turia – the most northern area with altitude between 700-1100 m.a.s., prevail white varieties like Merseguera or Macabeo.
• Moscatel – central area of Valencia with altitude up to 100 m.a.s. Hot area suitable for varieties like Moscatel.
• Valentino – central area of Valencia with altitude between 170-650 m.a.s. cultivating both, white and red varieties.
• Clariano – the most southern area, lies on any 350 m.a.s. cultivation plenty of white and red verieties.

The average rainfall index may vary depending on the area but is around 520 liters mostly focused on spring and fall. Over 2100 hours of sunshine.

Climate is suave and humid as a consequence of sea with average annual temperature of 15 degrees. Long and hot arid summer with mild winter. The soil vary according to the elevation, at lowlands there is a lot of fluvial while upper areas have sand-lime layers with a good drainage.

Authorized Grape Varieties

WHITE: Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Macabeo, Subirat Parent, Merseguera, Moscatel de Alejandría, Moscatel Grano Menudo, Planta Fina de Pedralba, Planta Nova, Pedro Ximénez, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillón Blanc, Tortosí, Verdejo, Verdil , Viognier.

RED: Bobal, Bonicaire, Cabernet Sauvignon, Forcallat Tinta, Garnacha, Graciano, Malbec, Mencía, Merlot, Monastrell, Mazuelo, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Tempranillo, Garnacha Tintorera.

Official Quality Label

Recommended Wineries

Casa los Frailes – Fontanars del Alforins (Province of Valencia)

D.O. Alicante

Last P.D.O. of Valencia Province was established the same year, in 1932. In total has 14.256 ha of vineyards and naturally is subdivided in 2 regions:

• Vinalopó – older wine region located at any 600 m.a.s. along the river Vinalopó close to Castilla-La Mancha. This area is dominated by Monastrell grape.
• La Marina – recently grown area next to the shoreline, on the see-level in this case dominated by Moscatel grape.

Apart, the D.O. Alicante wine region is even very famous for its production of sweet wine like in Málaga and Cádiz. The rainfall index is close to 250 liters with more than 2800 hours of sunshine per year.

The climate is in generally Mediterranean just in Vinalopó can get some continental aspects like dry winter with occasional frosts. The limestone soil is typical in Vinalopó while La Marina sandy clay soil, both with permeable layers under.

Authorized Grape Varieties

WHITE: Moscatel de Alejandría, Subirat Parent, Alarije, Merseguera, Verdil, Airén, Chardonnay, Verdejo, Garnacha Blanca, Macabeo, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Planta Fina de Pedralba.

RED: Monastrell, Garnacha, Garnacha Tintorera, Bobal, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Petit Verdot, Shiraz, Tempranillo.

Official Quality Label

Recommended Wineries

Casa Agrícola – Pla de Lliber (Province of Alicante)

El Sequé – Pinoso (Province of Alicante)

V.P. El Terrerazo

The oldest Vino de Pago – Single Estate Winery around Valencia Province started its fame in 2010. Today its a jewel of Mustiguillo Winery and brings spectacular wines grown in 87 ha close to town of Utiel.

The vineyards are between 790-870 m.a.s., average rainfall index is 400 mm per a year with huge amount of sunshine, over 2900 hours.

Special location surrounded by mountains has special Continental micro-climate with benefits of Mediterranean like humid wind. The soil has different layers, the top is sandy-chalky with clay and has gravel particles, the under layers have chalky deposits.

Authorized Grape Varieties

WHITE: none under Estate.

RED: Bobal, Tempranillo, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Garnacha.

Official Quality Label

Location: N-330 road (KM 195), Utiel (Province of Valencia), MAP, Web Site.

V.P. Pago de los Balagueses

Single Estate Winery designated in 2011 is located close to historical city of Requena. Having cultivated 60 ha it is a top product of Vegalfaro Wineries.

Vineyards lies on altitude 700 m.a.s. with average rainfall index of 450 liters per year. Over 2700 hours of sunshine per a year.

The climate is Mediterranean, hot and dry in the summer with continental influences above all in the winter, like frosty mornings, cold winds from inland or some foggy days. The soil vary mainly between natural chalk and sandy loam layers with some gravel particles due to erosion.

Authorized Grape Varieties

WHITE: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc.

RED: Merlot, Syrah, Garnacha Tintorera, Tempranillo.

Official Quality Label

Location: Pontón – Utiel road (KM 3), Requena (Valencia Province), MAP, Web Site.

V.P. Chozas Carrascal

A tiny winery located within sight of Requena city has any 40 ha of vineyards of exceptional micro-climate due to protection of mountain range Sierra Moreno–Sierra del Negrete. In 2012 was declared Single Estate Winery.

Occupying altitude between 750-840 m.a.s. the average rainfall index is very low: 350-400 liters (September mostly)due to mountains protecting from Mediterranean clouds. The sunshine is pretty high reaching almost 3000 hours per year.

The terrain oriented south-southeast at the bottom of mountains has one of the chilliest climate around the region. Although close to Mediterranean the climate is Continental with hot dry summer, cold winds from north and huge diurnal temperature differences. The limestone soil with sandy clayish parts is poor in organics matters.

Authorized Grape Varieties

WHITE: Chardonnay, Macabeo, Sauvignon Blanc.

RED: Bobal, Tempranillo, Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Monastrell.

Official Quality Label

Location: San Antonio (Province of Valencia), MAP, Web Site.

V.P. Vera de Estenas

Old winery located under the slopes of mountains called Sierra de Remedio reached to be designated Single Estate Winery in 2013, rewarding the long-term effort of generations. 52 ha of isolated vineyards carry names of the river nearby.

The altitude around 700 m.a.s. and rainfall index 430 liters per year create perfect micro-climate to grow wine grapes. Additionally any 2600 hours of sunshine makes this terroir pretty outstanding.

The climate is mixed Mediterranean-Continental with hot summer, chilly winters and rain concentrated in any 50 days. Chalky-clay and calcareous soil covers permeable clay layers.

Authorized Grape Varieties

WHITE: Chardonnay.

RED: Bobal, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot.

Official Quality Label

Location: Utiel (Province of Valencia), MAP, Web Site.