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

A 1707 winery, three local wines, and a Gaudí-style church make this a fine way to see a less-visited corner of Alicante. The outing combines a small-group wine tasting with Novelda’s Santa Magdalena Church and the 12th-century Castle of Mola, so you get more than a cellar visit.

I especially like the personal transport and the chance to ask questions along the way. Guides such as Yevgen and Stas have earned praise for clear English, careful driving, and useful commentary about the area. The main drawback is that the tasting pours can be quite small, and one wine was served colder than expected.

Key points

• A winery founded in 1707: Tour the old house, vineyard, cellar, and production areas.
• Three Alicante wines: Taste one white, one rosé, and one red with breadsticks, olives, and a small tapa.
• Two memorable Novelda sights: Visit Santa Magdalena Church and the medieval Castle of Mola.
• Small groups of up to 11: You get a better chance to ask questions than on a large coach outing.
• A useful three-hour format: The tour starts at 10:30 a.m. and returns to the original meeting point.
• Good local orientation: Your guide can point out sights between Alicante and Novelda and offer ideas for the rest of your stay.

From Alicante to Novelda by air-conditioned vehicle

This experience begins at 10:30 a.m. and finishes back at the meeting point after roughly three hours. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle, with transport, entrance fees, and the wine tasting included in the price of $64.89 per person.

That timing works well for a morning outside Alicante. You still have much of the afternoon free, and the return to the same meeting point keeps the day simple. I also like that the ride is part of the experience rather than dead time. Guides have pointed out landmarks and explained the surrounding area during the drive, giving you a little context before you reach Novelda.

The group limit is 11 people. That is small enough for a more relaxed feel, though the exact number may vary. One booking was kept even when only two people showed up, which suggests the outing is not dependent on a large crowd to operate.

Guides named in the feedback include Yevgen and Stas. Yevgen is particularly praised for prompt pickup communication, polite service, strong English, and safe driving. Those details matter on a wine tour because the quality of the transport can shape the whole day. You want a calm driver, clear timing, and someone who knows how to handle questions without rushing you.

Santa Magdalena Church and Novelda’s Gaudí influence

The church visit gives the outing a welcome change of pace. Santa Magdalena Church is built in a Gaudí-inspired style, with an unusual appearance that feels very different from the older churches you may see in Alicante’s center.

The church is set near the Castle of Mola, and the stop brings broad views over the surrounding area. You have time to get out, look around, and take in the setting rather than simply seeing the church through a vehicle window. Several tours also allowed extra time at the church and castle, which makes this more than a quick photo stop.

I would treat the church as an architectural surprise rather than expect a full Gaudí building. The description is Gaudí-style, not a claim that Antoni Gaudí designed it. That distinction matters if you are seeking a major architectural monument, but the unusual design still gives the stop a clear reason to be here.

The church and castle are especially useful for people who want a break from wine tasting. Families and mixed-interest groups can enjoy the views and historic setting while wine lovers look forward to the cellar. The church also helps you understand why the tour is priced as a day outing rather than just a tasting-room transfer.

Castle of Mola and the medieval setting

The Castle of Mola dates from the 12th century. Its medieval character adds a second layer to the visit, placing the winery experience within a wider look at Novelda and its surroundings.

The supplied details do not promise a long guided castle tour, so you should expect a visit and time to explore rather than an in-depth study of every room or defensive feature. That is not a serious flaw on a three-hour outing. The castle works best as part of a compact route, giving you a historic stop and a change of scenery before or after the winery.

One guide also dropped a party at another castle to explore after the scheduled portion. I would not count on that extra arrangement, since it is not part of the stated program, but it shows that the driving portion can sometimes be adapted when timing allows. Ask your guide directly if you are hoping for additional sightseeing.

Inside the winery founded in 1707

The winery is the heart of the experience. You visit the vineyard, old house, winery, and production facilities, with an explanation of how the wine is made and aged.

A business with roots reaching back to 1707 gives the tour a sense of continuity. You are not only sampling finished bottles. You are seeing the place where the wine is produced and hearing about the process from a professional winery guide.

The visit has a traditional, intimate feel. Descriptions of the winery call it quaint, beautiful, large, and interesting, which may sound contradictory, but it reflects the mix of an old property and working production spaces. You can expect character rather than a polished modern attraction.

The winery guide covers aging and processing, though the amount of detail may depend on the day and the pace of the group. One visit felt rushed, with not enough time to ask about the wines. If you are keen on grape varieties, fermentation, or regional wine styles, make your questions early and clearly.

That point is worth keeping in mind. The driver-guide may offer strong commentary during the road portion and at the sights, but the winery visit itself may be led by a different person. The quality of the explanations can therefore vary between the transport, the historic stops, and the tasting room.

Three wines with simple local snacks

The tasting includes three different wines: white, rosé, and red. Breadsticks, olives, and a small tapa are served alongside them.

This is a pleasant introduction if you want to compare styles without committing to a long tasting session. The snacks help clear the palate and give you something to eat with the wine, though they should not be treated as lunch.

The amount served is one of the clearest considerations. At least one tasting provided only one very small glass of each wine. That is enough to assess the wines, but it may feel modest if you imagine a generous tasting flight. A red wine was also served cold during one visit, which is not ideal for anyone paying close attention to temperature and flavor.

I would approach the tasting as an introduction, not a full wine education. You get the chance to try three local wines in their place of production, hear about the process, and decide what styles you prefer. If you want detailed tasting notes or larger pours, ask questions and keep expectations realistic.

The snack plate also makes the tour more comfortable, particularly because lunch is not included. You receive breadsticks, olives, and a small tapa, but you should plan another meal later in the day. Lunch at the restaurant can be arranged in advance for a private tour, or potentially during the winery visit if an agreed waiting time is possible and the driver has no later tour. That arrangement is not part of the standard inclusions, so confirm it before relying on it.

What the $64.89 price covers

At $64.89 per person, this is not the cheapest way to taste wine near Alicante. The value comes from combining several elements in one short outing: private-style transport in a small group, a winery visit, three wines, snacks, the church, and the castle.

If you booked transport and a winery visit separately, you would need to coordinate the timing yourself. Here, the route is organized and you return to the starting point. The added sights also make the price easier to justify for anyone who wants more than a tasting room.

The value is strongest for couples, small groups, solo visitors, and families with at least one adult interested in wine. It also suits people staying in Alicante who want to see more of the province without arranging a rental car.

The value is weaker if your main goal is an extensive tasting. The pours may be small, lunch costs extra, and the total activity lasts only about three hours. Serious wine students may prefer a longer cellar visit with more wines and more time for questions.

I would call this a balanced sightseeing and wine excursion. You are paying for the route, driver, local orientation, and variety of stops as much as for the wine itself.

How the small group affects the experience

A maximum of 11 people gives the tour a personal scale. You can ask the guide about Alicante, Novelda, the church, the castle, or nearby places to visit. The guide can also offer suggestions for the rest of your trip, which is useful early in a stay.

Small groups do not guarantee a private tour. You may still share the vehicle and the winery visit with other people. But the format is more flexible than a large coach trip, and it gives the driver-guide a better chance to respond to individual questions.

The strongest part of the service is the driving and general care. Yevgen is described as calm, friendly, polite, and reliable, with clear updates about pickup. Stas is also singled out as a very good guide. That kind of practical communication is valuable when you are leaving Alicante for a smaller town and want the day to run on time.

The guide may also add information during the drive that is not part of the formal winery talk. You can use that time well by asking where to eat, what to see next, or which parts of Alicante deserve more of your afternoon.

Who should book this Novelda wine tour

I would recommend this outing if you want a compact trip with several different experiences:

• You enjoy wine but do not need a full-day vineyard program.
• You want to leave Alicante without arranging your own car.
• You like mixing food and drink with architecture and medieval sites.
• You prefer a small group to a large coach.
• You want a guide who can help you understand the surrounding area.
• You are traveling with people who may not want to spend the entire day tasting wine.

I would think twice if you want large pours, a substantial meal, or a detailed technical lesson about wine. The winery guide may move quickly, and the tasting is modest in size. You should also remember that the experience depends on good weather because the route includes outdoor sightseeing.

The tour suits a first visit to the Alicante area particularly well. It gives you a look beyond the city and offers a practical introduction to local wine without taking up an entire day.

Practical details before you reserve

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the experience is offered in English. Most people can participate, and the tour ends at the same meeting point where it begins.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. If you cancel within the final 24 hours, you do not receive a refund, and changes made during that period are not accepted. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

I would wear comfortable shoes for the church and castle stops, though the supplied details do not specify a dress code or walking distance. Bring enough appetite for a snack rather than lunch, and ask ahead if you want to arrange a restaurant meal.

Should you book the Alicante winery and Novelda tour?

Book it if you want a well-rounded morning that combines local wine, architecture, and history. The strongest reasons are the small group, the careful driving, the chance to see Santa Magdalena Church and Castle of Mola, and the old winery setting.

Skip it if your priority is a serious tasting with generous pours and extended discussion. The experience is better understood as a three-hour regional outing with wine at its center, not as a specialist wine course.

For most visitors staying in Alicante, the mix is appealing. You get beyond the city, taste three local wines, see a distinctive church, and visit a medieval castle without managing the transport yourself. Just keep the tasting portions and extra lunch cost in mind before you book.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 10:30 a.m.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 11 participants.

What wines are included?

The tasting includes three wines: one white, one rosé, and one red.

Are snacks included?

Yes. Breadsticks, olives, and a small tapa are included with the tasting.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. It may be possible to arrange lunch in advance for a private tour or during the winery visit under specific timing conditions.

What sights are included besides the winery?

The experience includes Santa Magdalena Church, built in a Gaudí-inspired style, and the 12th-century Castle of Mola.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle is included, along with fees and taxes.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refundable.