Rafael Nadal serves up first wine with Spanish producer
Rafael Nadal has entered the wine business by launching El Tenista, an organic Monastrell produced in partnership with Spain’s Gil Family Estates. The former tennis world number one has helped revive an old vineyard estate in Jumilla, with the wine set to reach UK shelves priced at around £58.
Rafael Nadal has swapped tennis courts for vineyards, joining forces with Spanish producer Gil Family Estates to launch his first wine, El Tenista.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion has partnered with the family-owned winemaking group to revive Dominio del Liftado, an old estate in Jumilla, southeastern Spain.
The collaboration follows a longstanding friendship between Nadal and the Gil family, which began after the tennis star revealed his fondness for wines from Bodegas El Nido in a 2021 interview with The Wall Street Journal.
Asked about his indulgences, Nadal named chocolate and red wine from the Jumilla producer, prompting a relationship that has since developed into a winemaking partnership.
From Centre Court to the vineyard
After retiring from professional tennis, Nadal helped restore Dominio del Liftado, working alongside Gil Family Estates head winemaker Bartolomé Abellán.
The estate is situated approximately 750 metres above sea level in Jumilla’s Término de Arriba area, where the vineyards benefit from Mediterranean breezes and a distinctive microclimate.
El Tenista is made entirely from organically grown Monastrell, sourced from ungrafted vines more than 50 years old.
The vineyards are planted on nutrient-poor, calcareous soils, which the producer says contribute to the wine’s concentration and character.
A taste of Jumilla
Abellán, who began his career with Gil Family Estates through a university internship, has worked with Nadal on the project.
“El Tenista is truly a product of its terroir; it has a remarkable concentration, combined with an incredible freshness, coming from the Mediterranean breezes we have at this altitude,” he said.
“With its harmonious dark fruits and notes of wild scrubland, this is a wine that speaks of the land where the grapes were grown.”
Gil Family Estates produces wines across ten Spanish denominations of origin, although its roots remain in Jumilla, home to Bodegas Juan Gil and Bodegas El Nido.
Nadal has visited the family’s vineyards regularly over the years, taking part in tastings and developing an interest in local viticulture and winemaking.
UK launch planned
El Tenista, which translates as The Tennis Player, is expected to become available to the UK trade shortly through distributor Boutinot.
The wine will be released in limited quantities, with an anticipated retail price of approximately £58.
Nadal joins a growing list of tennis stars with connections to the drinks industry.
As previously reported by the drinks business, Roger Federer has worked with Moët & Chandon, Serena Williams has invested in Michael Jordan’s Cincoro Tequila and Novak Djokovic’s family has established a winery in Serbia.
Information from The Drinks Business
