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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.

 

 

 

Image: Ayuntamiento de Yecla/Facebook