Enrique Mendoza Oraval 2024
A single-vineyard red that reveals the essence of the Laguna de Villena
Enrique Mendoza Oraval 2024 is a single-varietal monastrell born in a unique setting: the ancient lands of the Laguna de Villena, drained in 1803 by the Acequia del Rey Carlos IV. A wine that reflects the geological complexity of this landscape and the philosophy of traditional viticulture, offering an authentic interpretation of the Mediterranean.
General features
General Information
The history of Oraval is closely tied to the Villena Lagoon, a natural area that was artificially drained at the beginning of the 19th century. On this surface, marked by diapiric outcrops of gypsum, Triassic clays, Cretaceous limestones, and dolomites, today lie the vineyards that give life to this wine. This diversity of soils, which for centuries acted as natural drainage, imparts Enrique Mendoza Oraval 2024 with a unique personality, where minerality and freshness combine with the intensity characteristic of the Mediterranean climate.
Viticulture in this setting is based on respect for tradition and adaptation to the environment. On fresh, well-drained soils, monastrell is cultivated in a traditional planting framework, seeking a natural balance between vigor and concentration. The 2024 vintage was hand-harvested in boxes, ensuring the integrity of each cluster and preserving the maximum aromatic potential. This care in the vineyard is the first step to achieving a wine that faithfully expresses the character of the terroir.
In the winery, the grapes are destemmed and introduced whole into small stainless steel tanks, where alcoholic fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature. This process, aimed at preserving the purity of the fruit, provides structure without masking the varietal freshness. Enrique Mendoza Oraval 2024 also holds the European V-Label certification as a vegan wine, endorsed by the Spanish Vegetarian Union: no animal products or derivatives are used in its production, reaffirming the winery's commitment to a respectful and sustainable philosophy.
The winery
Bodegas Enrique Mendoza is a family-owned winery founded in 1989 and based in the town of Alfaz del Pi, in Alicante. The seed of the winery was "planted" in the late 1970s by Enrique Mendoza, a viticulturist passionate about enology, who decided to continue the tradition of the Marina Baixa region of producing wine for family consumption.
Today, the project has become well-established, and Bodegas Enrique Mendoza boasts 84.5 hectares of vineyards. The winery prides itself on being a pioneer in the region for introducing renowned international varieties such as the white chardonnay and the red cabernet sauvignon, merlot, pinot, petit verdot, and syrah, while also championing local varieties like monastrell, the queen grape of the D.O. Vinos Alicante, and moscatel.
The winery's philosophy is rooted in respect for the vineyard and the environment, practicing a herbicide- and insecticide-free viticulture with precise care, resulting in wines full of nuances.
Today, the project has become well-established, and Bodegas Enrique Mendoza boasts 84.5 hectares of vineyards. The winery prides itself on being a pioneer in the region for introducing renowned international varieties such as the white chardonnay and the red cabernet sauvignon, merlot, pinot, petit verdot, and syrah, while also championing local varieties like monastrell, the queen grape of the D.O. Vinos Alicante, and moscatel.
The winery's philosophy is rooted in respect for the vineyard and the environment, practicing a herbicide- and insecticide-free viticulture with precise care, resulting in wines full of nuances.