Vendimia Abierta 2024 at Bodegas Luzón: A unique experience in the DOP Jumilla
At Bodegas Luzón, our Vendimia Abierta 2024 (Open Harvest 2024) days have come to an end after an exciting 13th edition. This event has established itself as one of the best wine tourism experiences in Spain, endorsed by the recognition as the second best wine tourism experience in the country according to the prestigious wine publication Verema, being the best in the DOP Jumilla, a recognition that reinforces our commitment to excellence and the promotion of our wine region.
Vendimia Abierta: full of history and tradition
From 14 September to 10 November, we have carried out a full calendar of activities designed to share the magic of wine with all those who visited us. Vendimia Abierta is not only an opportunity to celebrate our annual harvest, but also to bring wine culture closer to those who wish to learn more about the processes that transform grapes into our winery’s delicious wines.
For three months, our agenda was packed with activities designed to connect participants with the essence of the DOP Jumilla, combining tradition, innovation and learning. These experiences not only highlight the quality of our wines, but also the cultural and social value that wine represents in our region.
Activities for all audiences
Vendimia Abierta 2024 offered nine main activities, many of which sold out days before the event. Each activity was designed to cover different interests and levels of knowledge, allowing both amateurs and experts to enjoy this unique experience.
- Family Harvest: A classic of our days, ideal for the whole family to experience and learn about the grape harvest process, from picking the grapes to the first steps in winemaking. This year, despite the limitations imposed by the drought, the activity managed to transmit its essence to those who participated, being held with a ‘SOLD OUT’, many days before its celebration.
- From the grape to the glass: A guided tour that follows the grape’s journey from the vineyard to the glass. This activity allows participants to explore our facilities and culminates with a unique tasting at harvest time, where they were able to enjoy the different grape varieties, their aromas and flavours.
- Growing with wine: Designed for the more curious, this experience showed the evolution of wine from its initial state as must to the final result. Participants tasted fresh must, wine in fermentation, wines in barrels and, finally, bottled wines, learning to distinguish the differences at each stage.
- Winemaker for a day: One of the most creative and popular activities, where participants became winemakers, creating their own wine by blending varieties and choosing details such as wood and label design.
- Duel Tasting Jumilla & Rioja: The novelty of this edition was a resounding success. This duel allowed participants to explore the differences and similarities between two of Spain’s most important appellations. The iconic wines of Bodegas Luzón and Bodegas Corral highlighted the particularities of their territories, histories and traditions.
6. Wine painting workshop: A unique experience that combined art and wine. Attendees were able to create their own works of art using wine as pigment and take home a personalised bottle with their creation as a souvenir.
7. Ham and Iberian cured meats pairing tasting: A tribute to Spanish gastronomy, in which our wines were combined with quality ham and Iberian cured meats, creating an unforgettable sensory experience.
8. Cheese and wine pairing tasting: Palancares cheeses were the perfect companions for our wines in this tasting guided by sommelier Guillermina Sánchez, highlighting the nuances and harmonies of each combination.
9. European Wine Tourism Day: This day closed Vendimia Abierta 2024 in style, with special visits to our winery, wine tastings and exclusive discounts in our shop.
The Duel Jumilla & Rioja Tasting: a milestone edition
The Duelo Jumilla & Rioja Tasting was undoubtedly one of the highlights of this year’s event. This event allowed attendees to delve into the unique characteristics of these two appellations, comparing their profiles, traditions and nuances. The high demand and the satisfaction of the attendees confirm that this activity has become one of the favourites of the Vendimia Abierta and one of those that arouses most curiosity among wine lovers.
A grand finale and a challenge met
The climax of Vendimia Abierta 2024 came with the celebration of the European Wine Tourism Day, a date that highlights the importance of wine tourism in Europe and that we always celebrate with special activities at our winery. This year, numerous visitors joined our guided tours, enjoyed tastings and took advantage of discounts in our shop.
However, the drought was one of the most significant challenges of this edition. Activities such as Vendimia en Familia were affected, as the shortage of grapes forced us to limit the number of participants. Despite these difficulties, we managed to maintain the level of quality and offer unforgettable experiences.
Reflections and projections for 2025
Vendimia Abierta 2024 has been a reflection of Bodegas Luzón’s commitment to innovation and tradition. Each edition is a learning experience and an opportunity to continue improving, adapting to the circumstances and offering the best to our visitors.
Looking ahead to 2025, we are already working on new proposals that will surprise and continue to position our winery in Jumilla as one of the benchmarks of wine tourism in Spain. In addition, we will continue to highlight the value of the DOP Jumilla, placing the passion for wine and respect for the land that makes it possible at the centre of all our activities.
We would like to thank all those who have participated in this edition and have been part of our history. See you at Vendimia Abierta 2025, with new experiences and the same love for wine that characterises us!