Ruta del Vino Almansa continues to move forward step by step, adding new experiences, initiatives and proposals that help showcase everything our territory has to offer.
This year, we have also received a very special recognition: the award for Best Wine Route to Discover at the Wine Up Guide Awards 2025, an achievement that gives us an extra boost to keep working and growing as a wine tourism destination.
To look back on the past few months and find out what we can expect in the future, we spoke with Antonio González, President of Ruta del Vino Almansa, and this is what he told us.
How would you assess your time as President of Ruta del Vino Almansa so far?
My personal assessment is extremely positive and it has been a continuous learning experience. Being President of this Route is both an honour and a shared responsibility. These have been months of intense work to strengthen the structure of the project, build closer ties between our members and place the association and its municipalities on the national wine tourism map.
What do you think about the actions and activities that have been carried out this year? Is there any one in particular you would highlight?
It has been a very dynamic year, focused both on external promotion and on strengthening our presence locally. If I had to highlight something, it would be the response from the public to our promotional activities, both gastronomic events and experiences combining heritage and wine. Seeing how visitors connect with our wineries through all these activities confirms that wine tourism here is not just about tasting wine, but about experiencing the territory.
Ruta del Vino Almansa currently brings together wineries, restaurants, accommodation providers, shops and travel agencies. How important is it for all these sectors to work together as part of the same project?
It is essential; it is really the key to making this work. A wine tourism destination cannot rely on good wineries alone. Visitors are looking for a complete experience: they want to stay somewhere comfortable, eat well, buy local products and discover charming places. When hospitality, retail and tourism services work together, we create a chain of value where we all support one another and provide visitors with a memorable welcome.
As a hospitality professional and President of the Route, how do you see the potential of Ruta del Vino Almansa as a wine tourism destination, and what do you think are its main strengths when it comes to attracting visitors?
From my experience in hospitality, I know exactly what today’s customers are looking for: authenticity, quality and friendly, personal service, away from overcrowded destinations. Our main strengths are the uniqueness of our grape varieties, with Garnacha Tintorera as our great flagship, our impressive historical heritage led by Almansa Castle, a deeply rooted and outstanding gastronomy that can also inspire more contemporary approaches, and above all the warmth and passion of our people when it comes to welcoming, looking after and serving new visitors. The potential is limitless.
What new developments, projects or upcoming actions can we expect over the coming months and/or next year?
We will continue to focus on digitalisation and the creation of more personalised tourism packages. Over the coming months, we will strengthen our presence at key industry fairs, promote new wine tourism experiences linked to nature and heritage, and maintain a calendar of events combining wine, culture and gastronomy in order to encourage visits throughout the whole year.
Finally, what would you say to someone who has not yet visited Ruta del Vino Almansa to encourage them to come and discover our territory?
I would tell them not to hesitate, because Almansa and the towns within the Designation of Origin are a treasure to be discovered slowly. I invite them to be surprised by the character of our wines, to walk through our vineyards, enjoy our food and feel at home. Those who visit us for the first time usually come back sooner rather than later.
Ruta del Vino Almansa continues to move forward with a clear objective: to keep growing as a destination, highlighting our wines, our gastronomy, our heritage and, above all, the joint work of everyone who is part of it.
