Alicante: Old Winery with Tastings & Gaudí’s style of Church

The most unusual part of this Alicante outing is the setting: an old winery founded in 1707, once owned by the Marquis of La Romana. You are not simply seated at a tasting bar. You walk through the old farmhouse, fermentation room, barrel room, and bottling area before trying three wines in the restaurant.

I like the easy three-hour format and the small group, limited to 11 people. I also like the extra stop at the Gaudí-style church and Mola Castle, which turns a winery visit into a compact look at Novelda’s architecture and countryside. The main drawback is that the wine tasting can be fairly brief, and the winery guide may be harder to follow than your English-speaking driver.

Key points

• A 1707 winery: Explore an old estate linked to the Marquis of La Romana.
• Three wines with snacks: Taste white, rosé, and red wines with breadsticks, olives, and a tapa.
• More than a tasting: See the fermentation, barrel, and bottling rooms and learn how the wine is made.
• Two worthwhile extra sights: Visit the Gaudí-style Church of Santa María Magdalena and the 12th-century Mola Castle.
• Comfortable small-group transport: Ride from Alicante in a clean car or van with bottled water and pickup at selected hotels.
• A good short excursion: The three-hour schedule gives you a taste of the Alicante countryside without taking up a full day.

From Alicante to Novelda in a comfortable car

This tour begins with hotel pickup at one of four points: Meliá Alicante, Hotel Albahía, Hotel Port Alicante City & Beach, or Travelodge Alicante Puerto. You receive the vehicle model and license plate before pickup, a useful detail when you are waiting near a busy hotel entrance.

The drive to Novelda takes about 30 minutes. That is long enough to see Alicante province beyond the city center, but short enough that you do not spend half your day in a vehicle. Guides such as Yevgen and Stas have been praised for explaining the countryside, farming, local sights, and route as they drive.

The vehicles used have been described as clean, modern, and comfortable. Bottled water is provided, which matters in Alicante’s warm weather. The driver also handles the return journey, so you can taste the wine without worrying about driving back.

This is a small-group outing, with no more than 11 participants. Some departures have had only a handful of people, while others have had around eight. A small group makes hotel pickup and short sightseeing stops less cumbersome than they would be on a large coach.

Food and alcohol are not allowed inside the vehicle, and smoking is prohibited. Those rules are sensible for a short private-feeling transfer, though you should plan to eat during the winery stop rather than on the road.

The old estate linked to the Marquis of La Romana

The winery is the center of the outing. The property began in 1707 and belonged to the Marquis of La Romana, giving the visit a strong connection to the area’s agricultural past. You first see the old house and vineyard before entering the working production spaces.

The setting is more appealing than a modern tasting room because the wine is made in a place with an older, lived-in character. You get a sense of how an estate functioned, rather than seeing only polished bottles and display shelves.

The visit explains the process from organically grown grapes to finished wine. You move through the fermentation room, barrel room, and bottling area, with each space showing a different stage of production. This helps put the tasting into context. When you later try the wines, you have already seen where they began and how they were handled.

The tour is guided by winery staff, with your English-speaking driver helping with the wider visit. Most of the driver guides have received strong praise for clear explanations and friendly service. One point to keep in mind is that the winery guide’s English may not be as easy to follow as the driver’s. If a technical explanation goes by quickly, ask for clarification.

The vineyard itself is part of the appeal, especially in good weather. You may have time to look around the grounds and see the setting where the grapes are grown. Rain or poor weather can limit time outdoors, so this is partly a seasonal experience. The indoor rooms remain the main attraction in less favorable conditions.

What you see in the production rooms

The fermentation room shows the first major step after the grapes are harvested. The barrel room gives you a look at the stage where selected wines mature, while the bottling area brings the process to its final practical step.

This is not a specialist course in Spanish wine, and the three-hour schedule does not allow for a long technical workshop. Instead, you get a clear introduction that suits someone who wants to understand the basics without spending a full day at a winery.

I find this kind of visit more useful than a tasting with no explanation. You can ask about the grapes, production, aging, and bottling while standing in the places where those tasks happen. The tour also gives you a better idea of why two wines from the same property can taste different.

The pace is generally relaxed. Several departures have included time for photographs, a look around the property, and a drink in the restaurant without feeling rushed back to Alicante. Still, the exact balance between touring, tasting, and free time can depend on the group and the winery schedule.

Three wines and a simple tasting in the restaurant

The tasting includes three wines: one white, one rosé, and one red. This is a sensible lineup for a first visit because it lets you compare the winery’s main styles rather than sampling three similar bottles.

Breadsticks, olives, and a tapa accompany the wines. These are light snacks, not a full lunch. They are enough to make the tasting more comfortable and to give you something to eat with the alcohol, but you should not book this as your midday meal.

The wines are explained as they are served. You learn about each bottle and can compare the differences between the white, rosé, and red. The atmosphere is in the restaurant, which gives the tasting a more relaxed feel than standing at a counter.

One important expectation: this is an introductory tasting, not a long professional wine class. A past departure found the tasting less detailed than expected and felt that the group was left to taste on its own for parts of it. If you want lengthy discussion of grape varieties, vintages, or production methods, ask questions and make the most of your time with the guide.

If you enjoy the wines, the winery shop offers bottles, oils, and vineyard merchandise. There is no requirement to buy anything. Several people have chosen wines to take back for later in the week, making this a practical place to pick up a bottle that you already tried rather than guessing from a shelf.

Lunch is not included. You may be able to order it at the restaurant if tables are available, but this depends on space, timing, and whether the driver has another departure afterward. If lunch is important, arrange it in advance through the private tour option rather than counting on a spare table.

The Gaudí-style church and Mola Castle

The church and castle add real value to the outing. They are near the winery, so you see two notable Novelda sights without adding a long detour.

The Church of Santa María Magdalena is known for its Gaudí-style design. Its unusual shapes and decorative details make it a sharp contrast to Alicante’s more familiar churches. Several guides have allowed enough time for photographs and a short explanation of the building and surrounding area.

The church is especially worthwhile for anyone who cannot fit Barcelona into the trip but wants to see architecture influenced by the same broad modernist tradition. It is not presented as a replacement for the Sagrada Família, but its style gives you something distinctive to look for in a smaller setting.

Nearby Mola Castle dates from the 12th century. The ruins provide a different kind of stop, with a medieval setting and views across the surrounding area. Your guide can explain what you are seeing, which is helpful because a quick look at old walls can otherwise feel disconnected from the region’s story.

In several departures, the church and castle have been visited before the winery. In others, the driver has added the stop on the way back. Treat the order as flexible rather than expecting a fixed sequence. The extra sightseeing is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing over a winery transfer alone.

Allow for walking on uneven ground around the castle. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the combination of historic surfaces, outdoor areas, and winery access may be difficult for anyone with limited mobility.

How the three-hour schedule works

The advertised duration is three hours, including pickup, the drive to Novelda, sightseeing, the winery visit, tasting, and return to Alicante. That makes it a useful choice if you want a half-day activity without giving up a full afternoon at the beach or in the city.

The winery portion is listed at about two hours, with the remaining time covering transport and the church and castle stops. In practice, timing can shift slightly depending on pickup locations, traffic, weather, and how long the group spends at each sight.

The short format is a benefit for cruise passengers, hotel guests, and anyone with only a few days in Alicante. A pickup at Meliá Alicante is particularly practical for cruise passengers because the cruise shuttle stops close by.

It is also a good fit for people who prefer a guided outing but do not want a large bus tour. You get door-to-door transport from selected hotels, an English-speaking guide, and a route that combines wine, architecture, and local scenery.

The limitation is obvious: you do not get a full vineyard day. There is no long meal, extended free time, or broad tour of several wineries. You are paying for a focused introduction to one estate and two nearby sights.

Guide quality and the small-group feel

The driver can make a major difference on a short tour. Yevgen has been praised for prompt communication, clear pickup instructions, careful driving, local information, and thoughtful touches such as taking photographs for the group. Stas has also been praised for his English, local knowledge, friendly manner, and clean vehicle.

You are given the pickup time and vehicle details ahead of the outing. That removes much of the usual uncertainty around hotel pickup. Guides have also provided water and adjusted for hot weather, which is a small but welcome service in midsummer.

The driver is not always the same person, so you should not book solely for a particular guide. Still, the consistent pattern is clear: the transport and personal service are a major part of the value.

The group size of up to 11 keeps the atmosphere informal. You can ask questions without trying to get the guide’s attention across a full coach. It also means that a slow start at one hotel can affect everyone, so be ready at your pickup point.

Is $69 a fair price?

At $69 per person, the cost is reasonable if you value convenience. The price includes round-trip transportation, the English-speaking guide, the winery and estate visit, three wines, snacks, bottled water, and the church and castle stops.

You could probably reach Novelda more cheaply with your own transport, but then you would need to drive, organize parking, arrange the winery visit, and avoid drinking. The tour combines those jobs into one short package.

The value is strongest for couples, solo visitors, cruise passengers, and small groups who want an easy half-day beyond Alicante. It is less compelling if you already have a rental car, want a full food-and-wine day, or prefer to spend several hours tasting at your own pace.

Lunch costs extra, and availability is not guaranteed. Keep that in your budget and consider the included snacks a light accompaniment rather than a meal.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Alicante plans are still shifting, though you should still check the available start times before booking.

Who should book this Alicante winery tour?

I would choose this tour if you want three things in one outing: a historic winery, a modest wine tasting, and a couple of unusual sights near Novelda. It gives you a look at rural Alicante without requiring a full day or a rental car.

It suits adults who enjoy wine but are not necessarily experts. The white, rosé, and red lineup is easy to follow, and the production rooms give the tasting some substance.

It also suits anyone who values a good driver and simple logistics. Yevgen and Stas have been especially praised for clear communication, clean vehicles, careful driving, and useful information along the route.

I would hesitate if your main goal is a long, detailed wine seminar or a leisurely vineyard lunch. The tasting may feel short, and the church and castle stops are brief. Mobility is another concern, since the outing is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Final verdict: a smart half-day beyond Alicante

This is a well-shaped excursion rather than a grand wine expedition. The 1707 estate gives it character, the three wines provide a pleasant introduction, and the Gaudí-style church and Mola Castle make the drive worthwhile even for people who are only mildly interested in wine.

For $69, I think the combination of transport, guiding, tasting, snacks, and nearby sights offers solid value. Book it if you want a comfortable and social way to see more of Alicante province. Skip it only if you need an extensive tasting, a full meal, or a completely flexible schedule.

FAQ

How long does the Alicante winery tour last?

The activity lasts about three hours, including pickup, transportation, the winery visit, wine tasting, sightseeing, and the return journey.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available at Meliá Alicante, Hotel Albahía, Hotel Port Alicante City & Beach, and Hotel Travelodge Alicante Puerto.

Where does the winery visit take place?

The visit takes place in Novelda, in Alicante province, at an old winery and farmhouse founded in 1707.

How many wines are included?

You taste three wines: one white, one rosé, and one red.

Are snacks included with the tasting?

Yes. The tasting includes breadsticks, olives, and a tapa.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You may be able to order lunch at the restaurant if tables are available and the timing allows, or you can arrange it in advance through the private tour option.

Are the church and castle included?

Yes. The activity includes a visit to the Gaudí-style church and the medieval Castle of Mola.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The tour has an English-speaking live guide.

How large is the group?

The group is limited to 11 participants.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.