Because it stretches so far back in history, we have no specific information on the start of wine production in Alicante’s mountain region. However, the countless prehistoric and historic discoveries in the region show that viticulture and winemaking have been a constant feature of life for at least 2,500 years.
Due to improvements in the roadways in the region and the phylloxera plague, in the late 19th century all the French grapevines were ruined, leading wine production in this region to reach its historical peak. In 1885, the impressive figure of 24 million litres of wine were produced in Cocentaina, while the Estación Enológica de Cocentaina (created by Minister Canalejas) was founded in 1910, the second largest science centre in Spain devoted to studying grapevines and wine after the one created in Haro (La Rioja).
Over the course of all these centuries, the formidable micro-climate of Alicante’s mountain region has made it possible for its wines to be prized and acclaimed all over the world.
