Cehegín and the food and wine tradition

The cultivation of vines in Cehegín has always been a constant since Roman times and has been maintained over time until the present day. There are many estates that witness this, as well as the wine cellars that can be found in all the mansions and palaces in the historic quarter. Originally, the granary was located in the castle, which, due to lack of space, was moved in the 17th century to the cellars of the recently built Casa de la Tercia, nowadays restored as the Wine School.

At the end of the 20th century, the wines of the northwest region of the Region of Murcia were improved until they obtained the denomination of origin in 1994 under the name of Bullas. Thus, the D.O. Bullas is made up of territories located not only in Bullas, but also in Cehegín, Calasparra, Caravaca, Lorca, Moratalla, Mula, Pliego, Ricote, Cieza and Totana. Its native grape variety is Monastrell, which is the identity of the ancient Kingdom of Murcia; currently more than 85% of all cultivated land belongs to this type of grape.

The following varieties are also authorized for red wines in this DO: Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Garnacha, Garnacha Tintorrera and Petit Vedot. Macabeo, Airén, Chardonnay, Malvasía, Moscatel, Moscatel de Grano Menudo and Sauvignon Blanc are also authorized for white wines.

http://www.vinosdebullas.es/historia/index.htm

In the area of Cehegín, the lands of five different wineries converge: Bodegas Carreño, Bodegas Lavia, Bodegas Hydria, Bodega Balcona and Bodega Monastrell.

Cehegín is therefore one of the municipalities adhered to the Bullas Wine Route Association, a route that allows the visitor to get to know and experience the Bullas DO wine-growing through its vineyards, old and modern wineries, points of sale, monuments, natural sites, tasting services, tasting and accommodation, restaurants, etc.