2021 · El Veneno

Pepe Mendoza Casa Agrícola is a family-run estate in Llíber, at the heart of Alicante’s Marina Alta, led by winemaker Pepe Mendoza, Pepa Agulló and their children. The project works across Marina Alta and Alto Vinalopó with old, traditional bush-trained vines, including native Giró, Moscatel Romano, Monastrell, Macabeo and Merseguera. Vineyards are predominantly dry-farmed and manually tended on Mediterranean soils, including terraced parcels bordered by historic dry-stone walls. The estate follows an un-certified organic, sustainability-focused approach, with some biodynamic practices, while preserving local varieties and adapting traditional farming to a hot, dry climate. In the cellar, indigenous yeasts, whole-bunch fermentations, minimal intervention and restrained oak or amphora use aim to express individual sites and the Mediterranean landscape.