The Gil Family and Rafa Nadal come together in Dominio del Liftado, a new venture born of friendship, shared dedication, and the revival of Monastrell vineyards more than half a century old
JUMILLA, Spain, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Gil Family Estates and Rafa Nadal introduce El Tenista (SRP $61.99/750 ml), the first wine from Dominio del Liftado—a new venture born where two paths meet, driven by the desire to reshape the future of Jumilla’s old vineyards, once thought destined to be left behind.
The story begins with a friendship that’s grown stronger over the years and has found common ground in wine. Gil Family Estates and Rafa Nadal, brought together by a shared belief in effort, perseverance, and the value of day-to-day work, set out on a project that reconnects with the land and turns nearly spent vineyards into the starting point for something new.
That’s how El Tenista is born—an organic red made entirely from ungrafted Monastrell sourced from vineyards more than half a century old, set in the distinctive Término de Arriba area of Jumilla, at around 750 meters above sea level. There, the vines grow in chalky soils with very few nutrients, within a demanding ecosystem the vineyards have learned to adapt to over decades.
A Twist of Fate
El Tenista takes shape from a simple idea: giving new life to something that seemed destined to be forgotten. Reviving old vineyards takes time and hard work, but also the belief that what has endured for decades still has a story to tell. That same spirit links the wine to the values that have guided both Gil Family Estates and Rafa Nadal on their respective journeys: hard work, humility, perseverance, and respect for a job well done.
Each bottle becomes the outcome of a shared journey and, at the same time, a tribute to all those humble, hardworking people who, through their daily effort, can turn the impossible into something extraordinary.
With El Tenista, Gil Family Estates adds a new project to what has been an especially active year for the family, keeping the vineyard and its origins as the starting point. A project that restores the value of old vines with plenty of stories to tell—born from friendship, a shared vision, and the belief that time and hard work always leave their mark.
ABOUT GIL FAMILY ESTATES
Gil Family Estates owns or controls approximately 1,990 hectares (4,917 acres) of vineyards throughouttheir eleven wineries physically scattered across ten different D.O.s, Protected Designations of Origin, in Spain. Each winery has its own personality perfectly defined but working in excellent unity with the rest. Gil Family Estates has an unwavering focus on indigenous terroir-driven wines of outstanding value. All the wineries under Gil Family Estates are currently run by brothers, Miguel and Ángel Gil. The portfolio boasts well over five hundred 90+ scores from various critics, including Wine Spectator, Wine Advocate, James Suckling, Wine Enthusiast, Wine & Spirits, Decanter and Spain’s most comprehensive and renowned wine guide Guía Peñín.
Today, the Family continues their focus on old-vine vineyards of indigenous varietals and the prioritization of sustainable farming (organic, dry-farming). This focus, coupled with their investment in technology, reduces the winery’s impact on the environment and results in the production of higher quality wines. The Gil Family Estates portfolio of wines is sold in over 40 countries and distributed in all 50 U.S. states.
Contact: Nadea Mina
nadea@nadeamina.com
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SOURCE Gil Family Estates
