The 2026 campaign for the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Vinalopó Bagged Table Grape officially began this Monday in Agost, Alicante province. The inaugural event included the symbolic cutting of the first grape bunch and the presentation of the new promotional slogan, ‘La uva de etiqueta’ (The Labeled Grape), which accompanies a specific identification label for all marketed bunches.
The event, held at a farm in Agost, was attended by the President of the Generalitat, Juanfran Pérez Llorca; the President of the Provincial Council of Alicante, Toni Pérez; the Mayor of Agost, Juan José Castelló; and the President of the PDO, José Enrique Sánchez, among other authorities and representatives from the agricultural sector. The President of the Generalitat performed the cutting of the first bunch, officially marking the start of the season.
Subsequently, at the Agost House of Culture, the campaign was presented under the slogan ‘La uva de etiqueta’. This initiative aims to help consumers easily identify Vinalopó Bagged Table Grape through a distinctive label on each certified bunch. The campaign will be supported by five promotional videos co-financed by the Generalitat, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and the European Union.
The PDO President, José Enrique Sánchez, emphasized the artisanal and manual nature of the bagging process, describing it as a 'meticulous task' that artificial intelligence cannot replicate, thus giving the grape significant social value. Sánchez also highlighted the challenges faced by farmers, such as rising costs and bureaucratic burdens, calling for a more agile and facilitating administration. He addressed water issues, advocating for the need to transport water where it is required to ensure resources in production areas.
For his part, the President of the Provincial Council of Alicante, Toni Pérez, stated that Vinalopó Table Grape is a 'great ambassador' for the province, linking it to environmental, economic, and social sustainability. He highlighted the Provincial Council's collaborative work with the sector and praised the sector's capacity for unity and effort in generating employment and social cohesion, contributing to the vitality of the towns.
Pérez also emphasized the bagging technique, a distinctive characteristic of the Vinalopó region, which protects the fruit with a paper bag during maturation. This practice not only preserves the grape's quality and appearance but also contributes to the conservation of the environment and the agricultural landscape of the area.
