If you’re ready to move beyond the usual wine routes in Spain, set your sights on the sun-drenched slopes of Alicante. This is where Pepe Mendoza, one of the country’s most respected winemakers, is quietly leading a revival of native Mediterranean grapes through his personal project, Casa Agrícola.

Bringing native varieties back to life

Launched in 2017, Casa Agrícola was born from a simple yet ambitious goal: to recover forgotten local grapes and protect the heritage of the land. After decades working with international varieties around the world, Pepe chose to return to his roots. At the heart of his work are grapes like Giró, Monastrell and Moscatel—native to this part of Spain and deeply tied to its identity.

The vineyard comes first

Pepe’s belief is clear: great wine starts with great viticulture. On the 30 hectares of Finca de Abargues in Llíber, every decision revolves around respecting the land. He works without irrigation, preserving old plots and adapting techniques to suit each vine. His approach is hands-on and deeply personal, shaped by over 30 years in the field.

Crafting wine with character

Inside the cellar, the philosophy is minimal intervention. The wines are left to speak for themselves. Ageing is done in a range of vessels, from traditional oak barrels to amphorae and clay jars. Each choice is made to highlight the grape’s natural qualities, not mask them. This is how wines like Giró de Abargues earned national recognition, and how Fierroca reached one of the highest scores ever awarded in the Valencian region.

A family affair rooted in tradition

Casa Agrícola is not just a business, but it’s a family project as well. Pepe works closely with his wife and daughters, creating a space where tradition and sustainability go hand in hand. The estate has been named the most sustainable winery in Spain by Madrid Fusión, thanks to its low-impact practices and commitment to local varieties.

Learning wine through legacy

For anyone serious about Spanish wine, Casa Agrícola offers a different kind of education. It teaches through taste, story, and place. The lessons aren’t just about grape varieties or soil types, but about the connection between people and land. In Alicante, under the guidance of Pepe Mendoza, wine becomes a way to understand culture, history, and what it means to truly belong to a region.

Contact Details:

Finca de Abargues, Pla de Lliber, Lliber – Alicante

Phone: 688 34 47 67

Whatsapp: 688 34 47 67

Email: enocultura@casaagricola.es