Ungrafted Vines in Jumilla
Jumilla still preserves old vineyards planted on their own roots, known in Spain as pie franco. These ungrafted vines grow without American rootstock and represent an increasingly rare part of the region’s viticultural heritage. At 3 Terruños, our main expression of this heritage is La Reina 2024, old-vine Monastrell from ungrafted vines in Jumilla.
What are ungrafted or own-rooted vines?
Ungrafted vines grow on their own roots rather than being grafted onto phylloxera-resistant American rootstock. Most modern vineyards use grafted vines, which makes surviving old own-rooted parcels especially unusual and valuable as part of traditional vineyard heritage.
Ungrafted vines in Jumilla
Jumilla’s dry climate, altitude and certain soils have helped preserve old vineyard parcels where ungrafted vines can still be found. At 3 Terruños we work with this type of vineyard in La Hoya de Torres, at more than 800 metres above sea level, seeking to preserve the character of the landscape and its traditional grape varieties.
La Reina: old-vine Monastrell from ungrafted vines
La Reina 2024 is our reference wine for ungrafted vines in Jumilla. It is made exclusively from old-vine Monastrell grown on its own roots in La Hoya de Torres, above 800 metres, and aged for more than 11 months in used 500-litre French oak barrels.
This very limited production aims to express the depth, minerality and elegance of old-vine Monastrell from Jumilla.
La Sirvienta: old-vine Airén from ungrafted vines
La Sirvienta 2024 also comes from old ungrafted vines in La Hoya de Torres. Here we work with Airén, a traditional white variety, using skin contact, slow fermentation and more than five months of ageing in used French oak barrels.
Organic wines and minimal intervention
Our aim is for the vineyard and origin to remain recognisable in the glass. We therefore work with organic viticulture, limited production and minimal-intervention winemaking, respecting the identity of each site and grape variety.
Frequently asked questions about ungrafted vines in Jumilla
Are ungrafted vines the same as pie franco?
Yes. In Spanish viticulture, pie franco refers to vines growing on their own roots rather than being grafted onto another rootstock. In English, they are commonly described as ungrafted or own-rooted vines.
Why are old ungrafted vines unusual?
Most European vineyards were replanted on resistant rootstocks after the spread of phylloxera. Surviving old own-rooted vineyards are therefore much less common and form a distinctive part of the viticultural heritage of places where they have endured.
Which 3 Terruños wines come from ungrafted vines?
La Reina is our main reference, made from old-vine Monastrell, while La Sirvienta is made from old-vine Airén. Both come from ungrafted vineyards in La Hoya de Torres.
Discover our ungrafted-vine wines: La Reina – Monastrell from ungrafted vines in Jumilla, our main reference, and La Sirvienta – Airén from old ungrafted vines.