Familia Pacheco Organic Monastrell

Cruise along the Mediterranean coast of southeastern Spain and you’ll hit the region of Jumilla. This is where you’ll find Bodegas Vina Elena named after…Elena! Elena Pacheco actually and she’s the third generation Pacheco winemaker at this family owned and operated outfit.

“I feel very fortunate to be able to work and manage the vineyards that my grandfather planted, my father cared for, and to this day, they survive giving grapes which are the essence of our wines.”

The grape is Monastrell (also called Mourvedre in France and Mataro in Aussie) and it’s absolutely at home in this part of Spain. With hot summers, long cold winters and long periods of drought – most grapes wouldn’t stand a chance. But in this environment Monastrell brings its A-game!

The Drinks Business UK publication slurped their way through a host of organic wines to shortlist “Five Fantastic organic red wines for under 10 Pounds” (that’s about NZD$20). And this one made the cut!

“Hailing from Monastrell heartland, Spain’s Jumilla wine region, and made by respected producer, Vina Elena, this is a brilliant starting point for tasting the Monastrell grape, along with the wines of this area of Iberia, and, more generally, organic reds. And if none of those criteria matter to you, then just think of this as an excellent bottle of inexpensive red.”