The Valencian wineries

Two years ago we began a series of surveys in the Valencian Community. Specifically, in areas that escaped traditional tourist routes, already within mountain ranges surrounded by cultivated fields that generate small valleys dotted with the landscape. They had been depopulated for years, with the exception of one inhabitant who refused to leave their fields and such a landscape. Some time ago, we wrote a short note about one of these Bodegues that surprised us. There were two points that surprised us: its level of conservation and its importance in the history of the area.

Perhaps you've heard of the winemaking tradition and phylloxera, which destroyed much of that industry. If not, I'll summarize it for you. Although it depends on the researcher you consult, it could be said that since the 19th century, very succulent export treaties have begun to proliferate, focusing on the production of alcohols, specifically wines and spirits. As Azorín would say in his work, the field became a sum of vines. Without knowing it, this would be associated with the development of an industry that would in turn encourage the creation of factories and banks, railway lines, commercial networks... In the 20th century, phylloxera and changes in foreign trade led many wine industries to rethink their idea of trade towards higher quality products. Despite this improvement, the uptick in phylloxera and the effects of Crisis of 29, is a brake on this development and, of course, to all this we must add the improvement of European powers after World War I, the Spanish Civil War, the post-war period and the autarchic system... In short, the industry was shutting down. However, they have left behind a series of quality industries and, that is always, evidence of heritage. Let's focus on these.

We are going to travel briefly to those valleys that we were talking about. It is a very interesting traditional landscape: you have mountains covered by wooded masses that are taking over the dry stone terraces, with almond and olive trees being forested, some more cared for than others, which descend to the bottom of the valley where you can find villages and warehouses.

The villages had similar characteristics: houses built with medium-sized stones up to the roof with a central path that organizes the buildings. Among those we catalogued were the New World Wineries, located next to Rambla de Artaj, had at least 16 buildings, completely abandoned with the exception of a small warehouse to the south; Bodegues de Gea, where there is a large pond with water collection systems, similar to the one that can be seen in the previous case, and houses with semicircular arches that are found in some hamlets scattered around the area; and, finally, the Bodegues de Tufaltabes, whose name has an unusual translation into Spanish (if you're curious, check out the previous posts).

The walk between them showed us the existence of wineries inside, with decanting ponds, warehouses with materials still preserved and the peculiar reuse of wooden presses on the door lintels. It's like traveling back in time.

The disgrace of these places is the oblivion and deterioration that year after year we have seen in the structures. Only working in the fields keeps this area alive thanks to the use of some of them as tool stores. Otherwise, they follow the process of any abandoned enclave.

We invite you to ask us more about these curious buildings on our social networks or in our email: ideas@ideasmedioambientales.com

Laura Castillo, Archaeology