Wineries

Villarta, town with a great wine-producing tradition, receives its name fromthe ancient supply warehouse dating from Roman times. Until the year 1729 the village belonged to Iniesta, year when it was granted the status of Villazgo. Located southeast of Cuenca, in the region of La Manchuela, 695 meters above sea level, this villa is home to the cooperative Vinicola Dulce Nombre de Jesús, which was established in the year 1952, result of an initiative carried out by a group of vine-growers that wagered on transformation and commercialization of their wines.

Currently 670 members make up the cooperative, cultivating 1900 hectares of vineyards in a privileged geographical area, given that themajestic Hoces del Río Cabriel and borders with the incomparable landscape of Los Cuchillos surround the region. The grape varieties that have been traditionally cultivated are Bobal (autochthonous variety included in the Manchuela Denomination of Origin) and Cencibel, although currently it also counts with new plantations of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Graciano that have adapted beautifully to the continental climatology of this region with Mediterranean influences. Cultivation takes place in the dry lands, on calcareous, clayey soil, poor in organic matter. To count with vine-stocks dating from more than 40 years ago is a matter of pride for those responsible for this initiative. In particular as the result is a gift for their best wines, which are elaborated with the high quality grape skins they produce. Currently, under the denomination of Bodegas Villavid, they are wagering on new technologies, combined with traditional methods and experience.

The best enological techniques are used in the elaboration of their wines, with innovative processes, new cold and self-emptying systems, ageing bays, bottling plant... All their confidence is deposited in a highly qualified human capital, having created a new and modern commercial organization to efficiently, rigorously and seriously satisfy the market. All of this to undertake a promising future project for this viniculture cooperative that is now also taking its first steps along the path of wine tourism.