Melea Old Vine Monastrell 2022

75cl bottle.

Vegan, Vegetarian Organic.

Ethically inspired company Long Wines produce the Melea range from high altitude minimal intervention vineyards, very low yields of grapes produce wines of great flavour and concentration.

Generous, rich and spicy, concentrated bramble fruit and a note of black pepper.

Crafted at a medium-sized, family-run winery in the rugged region of Jumilla, Melea Monastrell embodies the essence of low-intervention, organic winemaking. It is made using the native Monastrell variety from organically certified, dry-farmed bush vines of 15 to 40 years of age planted at very low density (1400-1600 vines per hectare) at 380-730 metres above sea level. Fermented using native yeasts and minimal intervention techniques, the wine was fined using pea protein, making it suitable for vegans. The winery, which is run by four sisters, is IFS certified and holds official organic and vegan certifications.

Situated in south-eastern Spain, Jumilla is recognized as one of the world’s leading regions for organic wines, with over 65% of its vineyards being certified organic. Jumilla’s semi-arid climate, characterized by less than 300mm of rainfall annually, creates an environment with little risk of fungal diseases, enabling healthy grapes to be grown without the need for chemical treatments. Additionally, the chalky, stony soils further deter pests from establishing a foothold in the vineyards. Notably, the infamous phylloxera louse, which devastated vineyards across Europe in the late 19th century, has struggled to thrive in Jumilla, preserving old, often un-grafted vines.