Ruta del Vino de Bullas
Descubriendo los Caminos Secretos del Vino
Wine Route Bullas
In Bullas, wine is the ultimate expression of a town devoted to tending vines since its very origins, both defining it and filling it with pride. A traditional craft that has matured over time, lovingly nurtured by its people in the hope of a rich reward: full-bodied wines abounding in character that linger not only on the palate but also in the memory.
If the district of Bullas is known for something, it is for its wine-growing tradition. A stroll along its streets full of history or a chat with the local people will reveal how the town has been linked to the delicious fruit of the vine since the remotest of times.
Ruta del Vino de Bullas
Avenida de Murcia, 75
Teléfono: +34 968 657 211
http://rutadelvinodebullas.es/
rutadelvino@bullas.es
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Bullas has been traditionally considered as the entrance to the North West of Murcia. Life in this village revolves around wine, making possible a "perfect match" between culture and vine, history and a green and mountainous nature
WINE ROUTE
If you're crazy about top-quality wine, you'll really love Bullas. The best option to taste his Designation of Origin is following this route which includes wine-tastings, museums, wineries and walks through vineyards. There are more than 200 traditional and preserved (totally or partially) wineries only in the town centre. This is the best way to learn, taste and, specially, to enjoy, which is the main purpose.
MORE ABOUT WINE
The Wine Museum and the Don Pepe Marsilla House Museum are two places to be visited. The first one is located in a traditional and perfectly preserved wine cellar. Here, it's possible to discover the making process of wine in traditional and modern ways of elaboration. There's a special relationship between Bullas and the viticulture since Roman times. Don't forget to go down to the cellar surrounded by brick vaults and large earthenware jars partially buried in the ground. At Pepe Marsilla House Museum, it seems that the clock stopped in 1900. The frescoes, trompe l'oeil and the rest of modernist décor in the residential area compete by its spectacular design with work area and wineries.
SHOPPING & HANDICRAFTS MARKETS
El Zacatín market is hold on the first Sunday of each month transforming the surroundings of the Plaza Vieja and Plaza del Castillo in an epicenter of handicrafts with jugglers, storytellers, pipers and alchemists of the Middle Ages. Don't miss any of the handicrafts collections about old and forgotten trades and enjoy the tastings. As a curiosity, this is the only market held in the region throughout the year.
KEEP THE SECRET
If you want to go for a dip in revitalising waters between exuberant nature, then the Salto del Usero, a waterfall of several feet of altitude, won't disappoint you. Legend has it that a Moorish died in these waters for the love of a Christian. Since then, every year on the night of San Juan the scene's recreated to celebrate this magical evening. If you come, it's important not to forget to test the water that the Moorish has in her pitcher. It's supposed to give good luck!
AMONG VINEYARDS
Located six kilometers far away from the town, the Valle del Aceniche (Aceniche Valley) is a beautiful and natural spot surrounded by pine groves where there're strains over half a century old. The perfect destination for those fleeing the heat, due to its highland, fresh air and a cool microclimate. The place is so beautiful that it seems that everything has been placed on purpose, as in a painting. No matter if you travel on foot, by bike or by all-terrain vehicle... you'll want to stay there forever!
MODERNIST BULLAS
From the Plaza de España, this route passes through the Camino Real and Avenida de Cehegín, and also through stately buildings of the 20th century. The Clock Tower, the façades of the Carreño and Pascual Marsilla houses are some of the modernist artists of interest. It's an elegant and lively promenade, which fascinates by its irregular shapes and intense chromaticism of buildings.
THE WINE FESTIVAL
Jazz and flamenco concerts, recitals, painting exhibitions and other activities such as wine-tastings and routes of the tapa are essential in this festival celebrated in February where wine is, without question, the star. This is a great opportunity to taste the best Designation of Origin wines and to enjoy wine pairings. People in Bullas said: "If you come to Bullas, drink wine, don't be shy!"
NATURAL PARADISE
For those fleeing from the rush of the city and the stress, just one mile from the center of the town they'll find paradise: La Rafa, the perfect place to charge their batteries and relax. There're different possibilities to choose: going round to the camping or to the Centro de Agroecología y Medio Ambiente de Murcia (Center for Agroecology and Environment of Murcia), CEAMA. The last one, apart from offering workshops and practices of organic farming and eco-development, proposes themed routes, workshops, visits to the observatory and other leisure activities.
DON'T STOP THE PARTY!
By the end of September and in full grape harvest, festivals are held in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary, saint patron of the town chosen by popular vote in 1723. Each year, these celebrations attract tourists and curious neighbors, who come to the Plaza Vieja to enjoy the traditional grape treading, the blessing of the first grape juice and the opening of the wine fountain. Most revelers will feel at home in the Diana, celebrations that start on Saturday at 7 a.m., when hundreds of people flock to launch dozens of kilos of flour, raw eggs and gallons of beer and wine. Are you ready?
SWEET TEMPTATION
Although there's no doubt that you'll find "torrijas" (bread soaked in milk, fried and then coated with sugar) in many other places, we assure you that there're no others as "torrijas" from Bullas. So remember that you can¿t leave without tasting these sponge cakes dipped in syrup or buy them. In addition to this delicious dessert, we encourage you to take a look at the local handicrafts and to try honey, sausages and local products.
Bullas D.O.
The building retains its traditional bodega architecture, perfectly integrating the modern area, where the Board's headquarters is located, with the old bodega on the ground floor, which has been refurbished for visitors and is also home to the vinotheque, where all Bullas Designated Origin wines can be found.
Granted in 1994, the Bullas Designation of Origin takes in the districts of Bullas, Mula, Ricote, Cehegín, Lorca, Pliego, Caravaca, Moratalla and Calasparra..
Consejo Regulador de la D.O. Bullas -Bullas D.O. Regulatory Board-
Address: C/ de la Balsa nº 26
Tel: +34 968 652 601
Fax: +34 968 652 601
www.vinosdebullas.es
consejoregulador@vinosdebullas.es
The first sub-zone, the West and North-West, includes 52% of the Bullas wine area's vineyards and is the D.O. Bullas wine-producing area par excellence. It is situated at altitudes of between 500 and 810 metres above sea level at the foot of the mountains. It includes Bullas and Cehegín, part of the Caravaca and Moratalla districts and upland districts of Lorca. Average production is 45 hl per hectare.
In the third sub-zone, the North and North-West, the vineyards are found at altitudes of between 400 and 500 metres and represent just 8% of the total wine-growing area. They straddle the districts of Calasparra, Ricote, Bullas, Mula and Pliego. Average production is 5 to 13 hl per hectare.
