Wine tourism in Villarrobledo

Before its foundation, Villarrobledo belonged administratively to the powerful Villa de Alcaraz under the name of Villarejo de San Nicolás. Around 1292, seven families decided to leave Villarejo and settled in a thick oak grove, where a few years later, a large number of families would settle, giving rise to a new village called Robledillo.

During the War of Succession for the Crown of Castile, the residents of Villarrobledo lent their support to the Catholic Monarchs. The latter, in 1476, in gratitude, granted the privilege of Villa to this place, which would be renamed Villa-Robledo de la Vega, a name that would remain until the 18th century.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, large harvests of wheat, barley and other grains were obtained from the fields of Villarrobledo . Vineyards began to be cultivated at this time. There were large areas of olive and saffron groves. And livestock was significant, with some 40,000 sheep grazing on its pastures in 1600.

Around 1750, there are references to the beginning of the development of the jar industry, with the production of jars with a capacity of 10 to 11 arrobas. In 1751, the first windmill was built in Villarrobledo.

The jar industry continued to expand throughout this century, with the famous Villarrobledo jars ranging from 70 to 250 arrobas, although exceptionally larger jars were made.