The exhibition titled “3000 years of Alicante wine culture” opened this morning with the Queen of the Calp Baths presenting the program, as the Organizing Committee of the PDO tours the major cities across the province to showcase Alicante’s rich winemaking heritage.
The site, built around the remains of a 4th-century AD Roman villa, now hosts three illustrations created by renowned Alicante artists: Miguel Calatayud, winner of the National Illustration Award; Paula Alenda, illustrator and graphic designer; and Erre Galvez, a multidisciplinary designer. Together, they interpret the 3,000-year history of Alicante wine, weaving a narrative that places this region among the oldest wine traditions in the world through vibrant, contemporary visuals. [Citation: Calp Tourism Board]
The event counted on the presence of José Juan Reus, Chairman of the Council, and representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, including the General Director of Rural Development, David Torres, along with members of the Cajamar Foundation. The opening, attended by the organizers and guests, signaled the start of a tour that runs through September 13 and invites visitors to explore this historical dialogue between archaeology and viticulture. [Citation: Regional Cultural Office]
Joining the ceremony were city councilors and delegates from the Provincial Archaeological Museum (MARQ), the Wine Route committee, and the city’s hotel associations. Tourism Consultant Francisco Abargues expressed pride that Calp features prominently on this wine route and highlighted the site’s growing recognition among travelers and locals alike. [Citation: Calp Tourism Board]
To accompany the exhibition, curators unveiled a new graphic recreating the villa’s storied past: the Domus Rotunda mosaic, reimagined with vines, branches, and other symbols drawn from the Roman wine culture unearthed at deposits around the Villa de Ifach. The artwork offers a visual bridge between ancient viticulture and modern storytelling, inviting visitors to trace how wine shaped daily life here for centuries. [Citation: Local Museums Network]
From its launch in Calpe, the exhibition “3000 years of Alicante wine culture” has traveled to Dénia, El Campello, Villena, Elche, and Orihuela, with plans to continue in l’Alfàs del Pi after its Calpe stop. The program underscores the region’s commitment to preserving and sharing its deep-rooted winemaking legacy with a broad audience. [Citation: Cultural Routes Committee]