The Almansa Wine Route is made up of four municipalities belonging to the Almansa region, located in the province of Albacete: Almansa, Alpera, Higueruela and Hoya-Gonzalo. But… What makes us different and unique for Almansa Wine Route to be a fixed in your agenda in 2023?
The landscape of the region of Almansa is not like the rest of the routes of Castilla-La Mancha, as it has Mediterranean touches being geographically located in the southeast of the region and bordering the Valencian Community and the Region of Murcia. It is, as the slogan of the Almansa Denomination of Origin states, “a frontier of flavors” that brings together the essence of La Mancha with nuances and influences from the Spanish Levante region.
Garnacha tintorera, a symbol of our wines
On the Almansa Wine Route we are privileged to have a unique grape variety, with peculiar characteristics, which grows and develops wonderfully in the warmth of our continental climate and which makes our wines different: the Garnacha Tintorera. A variety that is already the hallmark of Denominación de Origen Almansa and that, especially in recent years, has brought excellent wines that are already consumed and enjoyed in the 5 continents.
The main peculiarity of Garnacha tintorera? The color of its pulp, which is of a dark shade, just like its skin. This interesting characteristic gives the wines an intensity of color that makes them very attractive. Its dark, strong cherry red color matches perfectly with the intensity of its flavor, with notes of olive and black pepper, pure chocolate and a delicious finish of ripe red and black fruits.
The Monastrell grape variety is the second most important in our region, and with which we have also obtained excellent red wines. In addition, our DO Almansa belongs to the Association “Monastrell Spain”.together with five other appellations of origin in the east of the country. Spain, with the aim of promoting and disseminating the value of the Monastrell. At Almansa Wine Route We also have excellent white wines and red wines of other grape varieties that are perfectly adapted to our production area and with which we obtain wines of great quality. You will be able to learn about these peculiarities during the tour through the history of our wineries.
Our gastronomy combines avant-garde and tradition
On the other hand, gastronomy is, without a doubt, another of the most representative pillars of the Almansa Wine Route . All our towns have a spectacular and traditional gastronomy, highlighting its famous gazpachos manchegos (unique recipe of the area) or rice with chicken and snails. We have restaurants in Almansa, Alpera or Higueruela that are renowned for their Mediterranean dishes, grilled and roasted, avant-garde food that annually attracts visitors from all over the world. All this prepared with fresh and high quality products that will undoubtedly surprise you.
Not to mention the stores along the route where you can purchase your selection of wines from our wineries among other typical products of the area. Twelve restaurants in the region are registered in this Almansa Wine Route to delight you and make you enjoy the cuisine of Almansa and our surroundings, with Castilian and Levantine essence. A spectacular experience for your senses, especially if you accompany it with a wine from our DO Almansa!
Historic tourist sites and landmarks in Spain
Our area offers great tourist attractions. In Almansa we find the famous Almansa Castle, a fortress of Almohad origin, which in the 14th century passed to the Marquisate of Villena , who erected the Gothic-style keep and defensive walls. It is not the only attraction since Almansa has much more to visit: the Church of the Assumption, the palace of the Counts of Cirat and the Almansa reservoir , the latter with a wide variety of activities to do, especially in the spring-summer months.
At Almansawith one of its natural references, we also have the Water Route of the Millswhile in the area of Higueruela, Pétrola and Corral Rubio, we can enjoy the great Lagoon Complex which attracts an unsurpassed biodiversity in the area and also offers a wide range of activities to do, such as watching the native birds that nest in this natural enclave year after year.
In the neighboring towns we have the Cuevas de Pinturas Rupestres in Alpera, which has become one of the reference enclaves in rock art in Spain. For its part, Higueruela has some sites that have been recently discovered after archaeological excavations of the Alquería de La Graja. All of this has allowed us to have in our land the discovery of the first rural mosque of Castilla-La Mancha. The Salobralejo lagoon and the Higueruela Mountainslocated at more than 1000 meters above sea level, are ideal to enjoy a weekend of disconnection and tranquility in the warmth of the vineyards of Garnacha Tintorera.
Hoya Gonzalo also has the archaeological sites of the Iberian Necropolis of Los Villares, which can become a perfect journey into the past to learn a little more about the history of our region.
And, of course, we also have accommodations to rest. From charming rural houses, tourist apartments in the city and even hotels that offer treatments and massages and other services that will undoubtedly make your stay unique moments.
Festivals of provincial, regional and international tourist interest.
As for patron saint festivals and other events of interest, we highlight the Fiestas Mayores de Almansa, from April 30 to May 6, declared of International Tourist Interest since 2019. A Patron Saint Festival in honor of Our Lady of Bethlehem with traditional Levantine festivities of Moors and Christians and a festive group of streets. On the same dates, Alpera celebrates the Day of the Cross on May 3, while Higueruela hosts its festivities in honor of Santa Quiteria from May 21 to 24. Hoya Gonzalo also celebrates its patron saint festivities in honor of St. Peter Martyr of Verona, which are held from April 27 to May 1. All these festivals are accompanied by popular activities, parades and unique displays that bring the visitor to integrate into the unique culture of their villages, are an example of the great cultural and festive offerings that can be found when you visit the Wine Route Almansa.
The The Battle of Almansa, in the month of April, is also an attraction for many visitors and historians from different parts of the country. Europainterested in this conflict that marked the history of Spain: the War of the Spanish Succession and the War of the Spanish Succession.n April 25, 1707 in Almansa. The Battle of Almansa has been named as Festival of Regional Tourist Interest. In addition, the city also has the privilege to have the Museum of the Battle of Almansaopen all year round and will serve all visitors as a reference to know in detail all the didactic and historical material of the historic April 25, 1707.
For these reasons, and many others that we are sure you will discover, we invite you to come and live the experience of the Almansa Wine RouteYou will be able to enjoy wine tourism in a different way, staying in the rural environment or in the urban area of the towns that are part of the route, getting to know their culture, gastronomy and of course, their excellent wines.
ALMANSA WINE ROUTE “Discover, Feel, Live”.
