The renowned Muscat grape from Marina Alta, in the Spanish Region of Valencia, which ripens under the Mediterranean sun and with the sea breeze, and which Juan José Buigues Ivars grows in rainfed plantations following traditional methods, has led to him receiving the 2023 Agricultural Entrepreneur Award by Asaja Alicante.
Juan José took the activity over from his parents and grandparents, who had also made their living from it in their Teulada farm. "I remember my father and grandfather cutting the grapes, while my mother and grandmother cleaned and packaged them, and then we shipped them to Barcelona."
"Since finishing high school, I have been fully devoted to working with them. We are now going through a very challenging time due to the lack of water, but we continue to cultivate a unique grape. In fact, the best secret we have in Teulada is that the families that still produce rainfed Muscat grapes really know how to cultivate it."
"My family has always been devoted to growing table Muscat for fresh consumption, but this grape is also used to produce the best mistela and wines, as well as raisins. It has a great flavor, very characteristic, and growing it in rainfed plots make its flavor much sweeter and intense. Here in Teulada, we could say that Muscat grapes are the municipality's claim to fame; in fact, they are known in the country's main markets as Teulada grapes," says Juan José.
"In my case, I have clients in Barcelona, Madrid, Pamplona, San Sebastián or Bilbao to whom we ship grapes on demand. We send grapes that were picked the day before and have not spent a minute inside a chamber, so the customers will have a fully fresh product on their table the next day."
The Muscat grape from Marina Alta is, indeed, highly appreciated across Spain. The harvest will begin in late August/early September and consumers will then be able to enjoy this exclusive product.
"Although there are many varieties coming from abroad, the Muscat cannot be replaced because of its characteristic sweetness; a result of rainfed farming and its proximity to the sea," says Juan José. "Over time, out of all the grape warehouses that used to be in the municipality, only 6 remain and the production has fallen, but there is still a very good demand."
"In this area of Alicante we have some of the best beaches, but apart from tourism, we must also take care of our natural environment, including the fields and plots with their vines that have shaped the landscape of Teulada. Thus, by protecting traditional agriculture, we are also taking care of the environment."
For more information:
Juanjo Buigues
Email: [email protected]