The Matavendimia Harvest Festival: Plan a wine escape from your home at La Manga Club

Owning a home at La Manga Club in Murcia opens the door to a region that is full of unexpected discoveries. Every autumn, just over an hour away by car, Matavendimia, the Jumilla PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) Wine and Wine Tourism Fair, brings together wine lovers for one of southeastern Spain’s leading wine events.

Held annually since 2022, the festival combines wine tastings, local gastronomy and winery visits in a welcoming setting open to all. This year’s edition takes place on the 24th and 25th of October, leaving plenty of time to plan a weekend at your home and experience a celebration deeply rooted in the region’s winemaking heritage.

The name Matavendimia refers to the end of the grape harvest, the moment when, after weeks of work in the vineyards, families and local communities come together to celebrate the end of the season. The Jumilla PDO Regulatory Council has taken this long-standing tradition and transformed it into a public festival, introducing it to a wider audience while creating a meeting place for wine lovers and professionals alike.

The event is organised by the Jumilla PDO Regulatory Council and its member wineries, with the support of Jumilla Town Council, the Tourism Institute of the Region of Murcia, the Jumilla Wine Route and the Federation of Harvest Festival Associations. Admission is free, and commemorative wine glasses are available for three euros. Visitors can purchase wines and regional produce directly from the participating producers.

One of Matavendimia’s greatest attractions is the opportunity to meet the winemakers themselves, who present their wines and latest releases in person. The programme includes guided tastings, concerts and cultural activities celebrating wine and the landscape that shapes it. Previous editions have also featured guided tours of Jumilla’s historic quarter, walks to the castle and winery experiences at estates such as Viña Elena, Xenysel and Bodegas Silvano García. These experiences include vineyard visits, guided tastings and food pairings showcasing local produce. Places must be booked in advance, with tickets usually released through the official website a few weeks before the event.

Jumilla PDO: far more than a festival

Matavendimia offers the perfect introduction to the Jumilla PDO, but the region is best appreciated at a slower pace. Take time to explore the dramatic landscapes, wander through distinctive vineyards and discover the warmth, hospitality and character that define this remarkable wine destination.

At the heart of the region is the Monastrell grape, an indigenous variety that produces deeply coloured, full-bodied red wines, perfectly suited to the limestone soils and demanding climate of the area. The Jumilla Wine Route offers the opportunity to stroll through vineyards, visit wineries, follow the winemaking process from vine to bottle, stay in the surrounding countryside, sample regional cuisine and purchase wines directly from the producer.

Among the region’s wineries open to visitors are Viña Elena, whose La Casa de los Abuelos experience pairs a traditional countryside lunch with its wines; Bodegas Silvano García, with its aroma room and wine bar; and Madrid Romero, a winery and restaurant in the Carche Valley with views across the vineyards and the protected regional park.

Jumilla is just over 100 kilometres from La Manga Club, a journey of little more than an hour by car. Autumn is the ideal season for the trip, with mild temperatures, vineyards at their most colourful and a calendar filled with cultural events. Those whose interests extend beyond wine will also find a medieval castle, prehistoric rock art recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and walking routes through the Sierra del Carche.

Owning a home at La Manga Club means more than enjoying the resort itself. Beyond its boundaries lies a region shaped by a distinctive gastronomic and cultural heritage, with opportunities for discovery in every season. For those considering purchasing a home here, there are residential developments currently available, including the Las Orquídeas apartments, the Las Acacias villas and the forthcoming Tennis Residences, which offer the chance to experience first-hand the lifestyle that has made this setting one of the most sought-after destinations on Spain’s Mediterranean coast.