Guau Wines (and great music!)

The amazing Johnny Sax – oh yeah!

August is the month when Jumilla celebrates its Vendimia over the two weeks of the Feria & Fiestas, however in recent years it has also become the month when we raise funds for Cuatro Patas through Guau Wines, so why not see out August with some great wines and music?

The 6th edition of Guau Wines will take place on 31 August in Plaza de Santa Maria, Jumilla, starting at 21.30. Twenty bodegas have donated wine, so there should be something for everyone’s taste, and there will be catering too. No need to have dinner before you go there!

The opening act will be the multi-talented Johnny Sax, who was the vocalist, sax and harmonica player with the Climax Blues Band ten years ago, as well as playing in his own Johnny Pugh band. Now he lives in Spain, where his gigs are popular with the local Spanish community as well as Brits living in the area. I’m hoping he will sing “Walking the Dog” for me to dance to!

The following acts will be Alberto Alcalá, who has just released his second disc “Tragaluz” and finally the blues and rock group Traslapers. I look forward to listening to (and probably dancing to!) them as well.

Tickets cost 15€, which includes a glass to taste the different wines, plenty of wines and food to keep you going and of course great music. Tickets are available from the local veterinary clinics Urbano and Mascoticas.

It should be a memorable evening – hope to see you there!

Feria & Fiestas Jumilla 2019

The wine fountain in Jumilla

The celebrations have already begun, however it’s not too late to join us in Jumilla for the Feria and Fiestas.

Today, Tuesday 13 August, there will be an official reception in the Ayuntamiento at 18.30, but don’t worry if you haven’t been invited (neither have I!) as there will still be plenty to see later in the evening. I always enjoy watching the procession of local peñas (associations) wearing their traditional costumes and carrying the first grapes. This starts at 20.00 from the Paseo Poeta Lorenzo Guardiola and finishes in the Jardín de la Glorieta, where you can watch them treading the grapes to produce the must. The day ends with a free concert in the grounds of Arzobispo Lozano school: “Voy a Pasármelo G”, which is a tribute to Hombres G, a popular Spanish rock band from the ’80s and ’90s. Rock on!

Wednesday 14 August is the day of the Cabalgata Tradicional, which is definitely not to be missed. If you’re in town earlier in the day you can see the floats that will be taking part in the evening’s procession. They will be lined up on the Paseo Poeta Lorenzo Guardiola from 11.00, ready for the judges to make the awards to the best floats at 11.30. If that’s not tempting enough, you can also taste local wines and products at the stands of the individual peñas. The evening’s party starts at 20.30, when the floats set off from Calle Trabajo (behind the tourist office) and wind their way along Canovas del Castillo with much singing and dancing plus handing out wine, sangria and snacks to the eager spectators. It’s always an amazing atmosphere (and the free wine and sangria also help!)

There’s a concert after the Cabalgata, with “La Pegatina” and “Caligaris” performing in Arzobispo Lozano, though this time tickets are 10€ in advance or 12€ on the gate.

This is a link to the town’s street map if you don’t know Jumilla as well as I do. http://www.jumilla.org/servicios/callejero.asp Finally, please return to this page tomorrow, as there are lots more events to add. You definitely don’t want to miss hearing about Saturday’s Gran Cabalgata del Vino!

Concerts in the wineries

Bodegas Luzón

One of the many highlights of the year in Jumilla is Música Entre Vinos, where concerts are held in different wineries, giving you a chance to sample the excellent local wines while tasting yummy tapas and listening to great music. What’s not to like?

Having just returned from a fabulous trip to Paris and London, I’m still busy trying to gather as much information as possible about this year’s MEV, which isn’t always easy in this part of the world! I will update this post if more details become available.

The opening event will be held on 8 June in Jumilla’s Wine Interpretation Centre rather than a winery, although food and wine will still be available. Tickets are only 15 euros and can be obtained from Restaurante Casa Sebastian. I gather that the theme will be film soundtracks, so as a Queen fan I’m definitely going to be there, in the hope that Bohemian Rhapsody will be included.

Bodegas Luzón (as seen in the photo above) are hosting the event on 15 June. Each year they manage to surprise me with something different, so I’m looking forward to being surprised yet again at this year’s concert. I have been told that the concert will be Pop-Rock music, both Spanish and English, that I (and many others) are sure to enjoy. For more details and/or to reserve tickets, email Patricia at tour@bodegasluzon.com.

Bodegas BSI are also having their concert on 15 June with Stolen, the group that had everyone up on their feet dancing last year. As BSI is one of the largest wineries, the tour is always interesting – as well as working up an appetite for their wines and tapas! To reserve tickets, email them at enoturismo@bsi.es

There are also two events on 22 June, so you are being spoilt for choice. Bodega Madrid Romero will start their evening with visits to the winery between 8pm and 9pm and you will then be entertained by Sharay Jazz & Friends, while enjoying good food and wine. Tickets are selling fast, so contact them to reserve your ticket by sending an email to: info@bodegamadridromero.com

I’ve been reliably informed that all available tickets have been reserved for the second event on 22 June, however you can add your name to the waiting list if you’d like to visit the Museo Hacienda del Carche-Casa de la Ermita. Particularly if you like Spanish pop from the 80s and 90s, as FyVBand will be providing the music, and of course you can enjoy the two wineries’ fine wines with your tapas. To put your name down, email: tour@casadelaermita.com

Bodegas Viña Elena aren’t having an event this year as there are works being carried out at their winery. however the good news is that you will be able to taste their wines on 6 July at the event being organised by La Macarena in Jumilla’s indoor market. La Macarena always have tasty tapas and the music will be provided by the talented local group Al Golpe, so I will definitely be buying my ticket before they run out. Email them to reserve tickets at: lamacarenabar.restaurante@gmail.com

On 13 July, Bodegas Ribera del Juá will be taking part in Música entre Vinos for the first time. I’m hoping to persuade one of my lovely friends to drive me there! They will have the legendary Jumillano rock band Salicornio accompanying the singer Carmen Maldonado from Granada, who will be performing “Pop through the ages”. Casa Canales will be doing the catering for them on the night. The event will start at 21.00. To book your tickets, either call them on 868087901 or send them an email to: eventos@bodegasriberadeljua.com

If you enjoy flamenco, then the final event at Bodegas Viña Campanero on 20 July will be right up your street. Starting at 21.00, you can look around the smallest winery in Jumilla before enjoying your tapas, wine and music. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of me showing off my dance skills! Email them to reserve tickets (they’re selling fast!) at bodegas@vinacampanero.com or you can phone them on 969780754 .

Apart from the opening event tickets will cost 28 euros, which includes the concert, tapas, lots of good wine and a glass to take home – I have a cupboard full of MEV glasses! Most events start at 21.00 but do check when reserving your tickets in case they are kicking off at 20.00 for the tour of the winery. Enjoy!

Wine Festival in Jumilla – second week


If you’ve got children or grandchildren Monday 12 August is the day to take them to Jumilla, as there is a 2 x 1 offer on fairground rides (it saves you some money too!)  Not only that, but the Cabalgata Infantil del Vino will have lots of entertaining floats for them to watch, starting at 20.30.  As it’s holiday time, you might let them stay to watch the drama between the Moors and Christians being re-enacted on the Paseo at 22.45.  Don’t let them get too close to the sword-play though as they use real swords (we’ve seen the sparks flying!)

If you enjoy witnessing Spanish traditions then Tuesday will be a good day to visit, as there is a procession of all the peñas (local associations) dressed in their traditional costumes and carrying baskets of grapes. They will start parading around town at 20.00, leaving from the Paseo and finishing in the Patio of I.E.S. Arzobispo Lozano. At 21.00 they will offer their grapes to the Niño de las Uvas followed by the grape treading ceremony.


If you are only able to visit Jumilla on one day, and if you enjoy drinking wine, Wednesday 14 August is one of the best days to visit. At 20.30 the Cabalgata Tradicional del Vino will leave the Plaza de Rollo and the colourful floats will slowly wend their way through the streets. I say slowly, because the participants are busy handing out sangria, wine and snacks to all the people eagerly lining the streets.

Thursday is the saint’s day for Jumilla’s patron, Nuestra Señora La Virgen de la Asunción. There will be a special mass for Our Lady at 12.00 in the parish church of Santiago, with the local choir Coral Canticorum, plus a solemn procession in her honour leaving the north door of the church at 20.00.


If like me you enjoy watching horses and carriages, don’t miss the procession at 20.00 on Friday. This will be followed by a free fiesta flamenca on the Paseo at 22.30.

Saturday is the day for the young and young at heart (particularly those with a lot of stamina!). The infamous Gran Cabalgata del Vino attracts thousands of visitors to Jumilla, all aiming to get soaked in red wine. Many people wear white – all the better to show off the wine stains – and they revel in dancing through the streets while wine is poured over them.  Personally I prefer to drink my red wine, but no doubt that is showing my age!

Sunday 18 August will be the last day of this year’s Feria. Mass will be held in Santiago church at 20.00 after which the statue of Our Lady will be carried to the Ermita de San Agustín. This year’s festivities will be finished off in style with a firework display over Jumilla Castle at 24.00. I suspect that after several late nights I will be watching it from our bedroom window!

Wine Festival in Jumilla – first few days

If there is a perfect time to visit Jumilla, it has to be during the Feria and Fiestas of August.  There is something to suit everyone: whether you like drinking good wine;  prefer listening to traditional music; love watching colourful processions or, like us,  enjoy all of these activities.  I have included the programme up to and including the first weekend of the festivies.


As you can see Friday is going to be a busy day with the official launch of the fiestas, including firing a rocket from the Town Hall balcony and the inauguration of the fountain of wine. If you don’t mind late nights, there is free entry to the Folklore Festival, which starts at midnight.


Wine lovers should put Saturday 10 August in their diaries now! The popular miniferia del vino will take place between 12.00 and 15.00 in the Jardín del Rey Don Pedro.  Last year all we paid was 3€ for a wine glass, then we strolled around the many wine stands tasting the best wines from Jumilla. What’s not to like? Also on Saturday, there will be a parade around town of all the groups taking part in the Folklore Festival, starting at 21.00, followed by a performance in the Patio I.E.S. Arzibispo Lozano at the more civilised time of 22.00.

Culture buffs shouldn’t miss the Moors and Christians procession starting at 21.00 on Sunday 11 August. Grab a table on Calle Cánovas de Castillo (there will be a charge) so you can enjoy a drink while watching, or bring your own chair and fight for a space along the processional route. Music, dancing, drama: the Gran Desfile de Moros y Cristianos has it all.

Semana Santa in Jumilla

Semana Santa (Holy Week) is celebrated throughout Spain, but is especially significant for the people of Jumilla, as their Semana Santa is the oldest one in the region of Murcia and considered to be of National Touristic Interest. Semana Santa lasts for more than a week.  I don’t know whether this is generally the case in Spain or a Jumillano trait, but most events referred to as occurring over a “week” are 10 days or more!.  It is one of the highlights of the year for Jumillanos, who are justly proud of their tradition.

The first Semana Santa celebrations in Jumilla were held in 1411, inspired by the preaching of St Vincent Ferrer in the old church of Santa Maria de Gracia, which was situated in the original town of Jumilla, beside the Castle.  A new church Santa María de Rabal was subsequently built on the remains of an Islam necropolis, between the years 1430 and 1500, when the population living in the shelter of the castle moved down to the plain.  The founding of this church is said to have been inspired by the visit of St. Vincent too. All that remains today however are the main entrance and the church tower.

The first cofradía, or brotherhood, was the cofradía of Vera Cruz y Santo Sepulcro, which originated in 1609. There are now a total of 19 cofradías in Jumilla, with more than 4,500 members, who organise the numerous Semana Santa processions.

Semana Santa starts on Viernes de Dolores (the Friday before Palm Sunday) and finishes on Easter Sunday and on most days there is at least one procession to watch.

Both old and young Jumillanos take part, dressed in traditional costume, either helping to carry one of the countless religious statues, playing in one of the many bands or handing out sweets to the eagerly watching children.

The main “Caramelada” is on Domingo de Resurrección, where Spanish children scramble for the sweets that are thrown on the street, rather than over indulging themselves with chocolate Easter eggs.  However in recent years we have spotted Easter eggs on sale in our local Aldi, so we suspect that some children will have the best of both worlds. If you head to Plaza del Rollo for 12 noon on Easter Sunday you will witness the meeting of Jesus and the Virgin Mary there, before the parade down Calle Canovas in front of the eagerly awaiting children clutching their plastic bags.

There will be three “tamboradas” this year for those of you who enjoy listening to drums. The main drumming sessions will be on Saturday 23 and Saturday 30 March, with the drummers marching from Plaza de Arriba to the parking area behind the indoor market.  Friends of ours who live near there usually ask to visit us for the night rather than try to sleep with drums being banged enthusiastically outside their apartment until the early hours of the morning!

The children’s tamborada will take place on Monday 25 March at 17.00 and the children will march from Plaza de Arriba to the Paseo Lorenzo Guardiola.  Needless to say the children don’t drum through the night, though many children can be seen still beating their drums as they walk back home!

Wine always features in Jumilla´s Semana Santa, as well as during other fiestas. This year the popular Miniferia del Vino will be held between 12 and 3 on Saturday 23 March in the Jardin del Rey Don Pedro.  For a nominal sum you can purchase a wine glass and then wander around the stands sampling some of Jumilla’s best wines, with nibbles of cheese, ham, bread etc to accompany your wine.

Other highlights during Semana Santa include the following:

Palm Sunday. This is the occasion where Jesus rides through the streets of Jumilla on a donkey, only stopping when proud parents pass their babies to him for photos: inevitably this means that this is the slowest procession!  The procession leaves St John the Baptist Church at 12 noon approximately.

The Procession of Silence.  This is held late at night and all the lights in the old town are switched off, with only a few bonfires to light the way for the penitents, some of whom have bare feet as they drag chains behind them. The procession will leave Santiago Church at midnight on Tuesday 26 March.

“El Prendimiento” This dramatic re-enactment of the taking of Jesus includes scenes of the devil tempting Christ and the angels singing encouragement to him.  Although the angels were sweet, the devil had the best lines and was loudly applauded!  The drama takes place in Plaza Arriba at 17.30 on Wednesday 27 March.

The visit to the Monuments, popularly known as Las Manolas.  The señoras parade in their finery, wearing traditional mantillas and staggeringly high heels, accompanied by the señors from the cofradías dressed in their robes or their smartest suits. They will be parading down Calle Canovas, near the tourist office, from 17.30 on Thursday 28 March.

I will be updating this post next Thursday with further details of days, times and other events, so please return then!

Vino y Queso Sabe a Beso!

Sometimes you just can’t translate something into English!  The title of this post rhymes in Spanish but is far more prosaic in English: “Wine and Cheese Tastes like a Kiss” doesn’t have the same ring to it, does it?

This is the fourth year of Jumilla’s popular wine and tapas promotion, which will run from 1 February until 3 March.  It is organised by the award-winning local cheese company, Central Quesera Montesinos, in conjuction with Bodegas Carchelo.  Not surprisingly the tapas must be cheese-based however, judging on previous years’ experiences, they will all be innovative and include much more that just a slice of cheese, as the local chefs compete to produce the best tapa.

You can enjoy a glass of Carchelo wine with your tapa for a reasonable 2.50€, and don’t forget to ask for your free scratch card with each tapa as there will be more than 10,000 prizes to be won.  Last year we ended up with a fridge full of cheeses and had to invite our friends round for a cheese and wine evening to get rid of them!

If you plan to visit a minimum of twelve establishments, split between the pink and blue zones, make sure that you pick up a leaflet and get it stamped in each bar or restaurant that you visit. There will be a prize draw at the end of the promotion with various prizes to be won including spa holidays, cash, cheeses and wines.  If you succeed in visiting all twenty-two bars and restaurants, your stamina will be rewarded with a guaranteed prize from the organisers.  I’ll have my fingers firmly crossed, as I fancy a spa break!

If you would like to combine the tapas trail with a free guided walk around Jumilla, please contact me using the form on the contact page.  You may also want to fit in a tour of one of Jumilla’s local bodegas, several of which will be open at weekends during February.

Click on this link for more details: Bodegas open at weekends.

Johnny Pugh Band – live in Jumilla!

Johnny Pugh

The excitement is building up in Jumilla as people spot the posters advertising the first live performance of the Johnny Pugh Band in Bodegas Alceño.  Johnny and his wife Jane only moved here in January this year but already they have made many Spanish and British friends, who can’t wait to hear him sing and play the saxophone with his new line-up.

Johnny was the lead singer with the Climax Blues Band for five years, as well as playing the saxophone and harmonica with them.  He has an impressive CV, having also worked as a session musician with the likes of  Rose Royce, the Four Tops, Ben E. King, Martha Reeves and the Real Thing, to mention just a few.

Click on this link to hear Johnny and the Climax Blues Band at the Rock & Blues Festival 2011: youtube video.

Tickets for the concert cost 14€ including tapas and wine, with the chance to try the new Alceño Rosado 2012.  You can buy your tickets at the bodega at Calle Barrio Iglesias no 55 in Jumilla, or in Los Chilines wine shop at Avenida Levante no 69,  Jumilla.  Tickets are also on sale in Get I.T. Connected in Pinoso, tel: 966 192 953.  The date to put in your diary is Saturday 27 October at 21.00.

To listen to more music from Johnny, click on this link: this is from a gig a few years ago.

If you would like more information about the concert or about the Johnny Pugh Band, please contact Jane at:  jojanepugh@yahoo.com.

Finally, this is the poster to look out for.  I am proud of the fact that my talented friend José María decided to use one of my photos, though he is responsible for the brilliant design!

I can promise you a great night out – hope to see you at Johnny’s gig on 27 October!

Fiesta de la Vendimia 2012


Here it is folks!  The eagerly awaited event of the year in Jumilla is due to start next weekend –  and I am way behind schedule in posting the details here.  I blame (in no particular order) the Olympics, my summer cold and the difficulty of obtaining advance information about the festivities.

Don’t miss the Fuente del Vino when you visit Jumilla during the Wine Festival: yes, there really is red wine flowing from the fountain in the Jardín de la Glorieta, though I doubt if it is suitable for drinking.  Even John hasn’t tried it!  If you want to attend the inauguration of the wine fountain, it will be held at 21.30 on Friday 10 August.

For wine lovers the first event of interest is the Miniferia del Vino, which will be held in the Jardín del Rey Don Pedro from 12.00 on Saturday 11 August.  Last year we paid the princely sum of 3€ to purchase a wine glass, then wandered slowly round the stands sampling wines from some of Jumilla’s best bodegas.  Luckily each stand provided nibbles to help line our stomachs!  Fortunately we live in walking or staggering distance of the gardens, but if you are driving I suggest you agree well in advance who is to be the designated driver.

The special children’s procession, the Cabalgata Infantil, is on Tuesday 14 August, starting from the Plaza del Rollo at 20.30. It’s great fun though no wine is involved!

You can sample more wine during the Cabalgata Tradicional, which is our favourite procession and which will take place at 20.30 on Thursday 16 August.  Decorated floats parade along the main streets of Jumilla, with the participants handing out samples of wine, sangria and local snacks while dancing to the accompanying bands.  The tables outside the local bars are packed as everyone enjoys a drink while they wait for the procession to reach them.  This is the procession for those of us who like to drink our wine rather than get soaked in the stuff!

The main event for many people, especially the youngsters, is the Gran Cabalgata del Vino, which starts at 19.00 on Saturday 18 August.  My only advice is to wear your oldest clothes, which traditionally should be white, and have a change of clothing for afterwards!  As mentioned earlier, red wine is poured or thrown over the participants, who party through the night.  You will need to have plenty of stamina if you decide to join in the fun!

Click on the following link if  you want to see the full programme for the Fiesta de la Vendimia.  It includes such quirky events as Gran Prix, Jumilla’s own version of “It’s a Knockout”; the launching of the rocket from the town hall balcony to open the Fiesta; the popular grape-spitting competition, a gachamiga-making contest and many more.

Below is a small selection of photos from previous years’ festivities.

Children's procession

Fuente del Vino 2011

Gran Cabalgata - soaked in wine!

Music and wine – what’s not to like?

Yes it’s that time of the year again – when all the bodegas in Jumilla are alive with the sound of music!  When we first moved to Jumilla we thought that the idea of listening to a concert in a bodega was really cool.  Four years later and we haven’t changed our minds.

Starting on Saturday May 12 in Bodegas San Isidro, there will be a concert in Jumilla every weekend until 28 July.  On the programme there is music to suit all tastes: a string quartet, a choir, pop rock, jazz, our favourite flamenco group Al Golpe and many more.

Most events will be held on a Saturday evening or a Sunday lunchtime and will start with a tour of the bodega followed by the concert and, to round thing off in style, there will be a chance to sample some excellent wines accompanied by local dishes.

The exception to this will be on Friday 3 June, where our favourite Vinotería Los Chilines will be hosting the concert.  Chilin (aka José María) always organises great events, so we have already reserved our tickets and are looking forward to music from Cantos Jazz Fusión and the usual mouthwatering food, washed down with some of the best Jumilla wines.

Because of the crisis the amount of sponsorship has gone down in recent years, which means the price of tickets has had to be increased.  Having said that I still think that the ticket price of 20€ is a bargain, considering that you get to listen to great music,  taste lots of Jumilla wines and sample delicious local food.  I wonder how far £20 would go on a night out in London nowadays?!

These events are always very popular, so I would advise you to reserve your tickets either by phone or by email before they sell out.

The programme is copied below, but if you want more details or have any queries you can contact me via the Contact page on this website.