The Unique Vineyards of Jumilla, Spain
The grapes for Mad dogs & Englishmen are grown in a land of extremes with hot summers, arid soil and mountainous terrain. The vines struggle to survive and as a result produce small, concentrated fruit with rich, intense flavor.
DO Jumilla, Spain
The Designation of Origin of Jumilla is located in an arid mountain valley 50 miles in land from the Mediterranean Sea in Southeast Spain. Jumilla is known for its native grape varietal, Monastrell, which produces some of the world’s most robust and full-flavored wines.
3000 hours of sun
The sun-drenched vineyards on which the grapes for Mad dogs & Englishmen grow receive over 3000 hours of sunlight a year with less than 12 inches of rain annually. These arid conditions coupled with sandy soil require the vines to develop deep roots in order to survive. As a result, these vines produce small, concentrated berries with intense, rich flavor.
Hot days and cool nights
The secret to making great wine in such a hot climate is the altitude. The grapes for Mad dogs & Englishmen are grown at over 2,000 feet above sea level. The vineyards can heat up to 100 degrees during the long summer days, but cool off dramatically at night. The grapes ripen properly but still have enough acid to balance the intense wines they produce.
Ungrafted Monastrell rootstock
The Monastrell vineyards that produce Mad dogs & Englishmen are 25 to 30 years old and are pie franco, meaning that the vines are ungrafted, 100% Monastrell rootstock. Unlike newer plantings in the region, these powerful, original roots deliver balanced, classic Monastrell flavor and character.