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

The most unusual part of this Alicante excursion is the setting: a working winery founded in 1707, once owned by the Marquis of La Romana. You get more than a glass of wine and a quick photo stop. The visit takes you through the old farmhouse, fermentation room, barrel room, and bottling area before the tasting begins.

I like the easy transport from Alicante and the small groups, limited to 11 people. I also like the bonus pairing of the winery with Mola Castle and its striking Gaudí-style church. The main drawback is time: three hours goes quickly, and the wine tasting may feel more like a guided introduction than a detailed class.

Key points

• A 1707 estate: Walk through an old farmhouse and winery tied to the Marquis of La Romana.
• Three wines to taste: The tasting includes white, rosé, and red wine, with breadsticks, olives, and a tapa.
• Two worthwhile sights: See the Gaudí-style church and XII-century Mola Castle near Novelda.
• Small-group transport: Travel in a clean, comfortable car or van with no more than 11 people.
• Strong guiding: Yevgen and Stas are praised for clear communication, local information, and careful driving.
• A short countryside outing: You can see part of Alicante province without committing to a full-day wine trip.

From Alicante to Novelda in Half an Hour

This is a compact excursion into Alicante province, not a long wine-country expedition. Pickup is offered from Meliá Alicante, Hotel Albahía, Hotel Port Alicante City & Beach, and Hotel Travelodge Alicante Puerto, with return to the same group of hotels.

The drive to Novelda takes about 30 minutes. That matters because you spend enough time outside the city to see the countryside, but not so much time sitting in a vehicle that the winery visit feels rushed from the start.

The operator sends the vehicle details before pickup, including the model and license plate. That is a small but useful touch, especially if you are meeting near a busy hotel or joining the excursion from a cruise stop. One practical cruise tip is to use the Meliá Alicante pickup point, which is close to the cruise shuttle drop-off.

Guides named Yevgen and Stas have led many of the departures. Both are praised for arriving on time, giving clear meeting instructions, driving carefully, and explaining the area along the way. You may be placed with one of them depending on the date.

The vehicle is described as modern, clean, and comfortable, with bottled water provided. Food, alcohol, and smoking are not allowed inside, so finish snacks before pickup and save any wine purchases for later.

Mola Castle and the Gaudí-Style Church

The Novelda area gives this tour more variety than a simple winery transfer. The church and castle are close to the winery, and they are generally visited as part of the outing, often before the wine tasting.

The church is the visual surprise. Its design follows the style associated with Antoni Gaudí, with unusual forms and decorative details that make it feel very different from the historic churches in Alicante city. You will have time for photos and a short explanation from your guide.

The site is often described as having a connection to the look of Barcelona’s Sagrada Família, though this is best understood as a Gaudí-inspired design rather than a substitute for the Barcelona landmark. The point is not scale. It is the distinctive architecture and the setting above the surrounding countryside.

Mola Castle adds an older layer. Built in the XII century, the medieval remains offer a clear contrast with the more imaginative church nearby. You should expect a short sightseeing stop rather than a full castle visit with an extended historical lecture.

The exact order can vary. Some departures visit the church and castle first, while others add them as a bonus stop after the winery. That flexibility seems to depend on the driver, timing, weather, and the rest of the group.

Wear shoes you can walk in comfortably. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the castle and church stop may involve uneven ground or outdoor walking. The supplied details do not specify the length of every walking section, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask before booking.

Inside the Old Winery Founded in 1707

The winery is the heart of the experience. This old estate belonged to the Marquis of La Romana and has been connected with wine production since 1707. That date gives the visit a sense of place that a newer tasting room cannot easily provide.

You begin with the old house and farmhouse before moving through the production areas. The visit includes the fermentation room, barrel room, and bottling area, so you see the basic route from grape to bottle rather than stopping at a display counter.

The grapes are organically grown, and the guide explains how they are handled during production. You will hear about fermentation, storage in barrels, and bottling. The explanations cover the winery’s past as well as its current process.

I like this format because it keeps the wine connected to the building and the work. A tasting alone can tell you what a wine tastes like. Walking through the production rooms helps you understand where it came from and why the winery looks and operates as it does.

The visit may not satisfy someone seeking a technical wine course. One visitor found the winery guide difficult to understand, and another felt the tasting lacked detailed instruction. The main English-speaking guide, such as Yevgen or Stas, can provide useful regional context, but the winery staff member may lead the actual facility tour.

That is worth keeping in mind. This is an accessible introduction for curious visitors, not a specialist seminar on grape chemistry, vineyard management, or winemaking theory.

Tasting Three Wines in the Restaurant

The tasting includes three wines: one white, one rosé, and one red. Each is explained as it is served, giving you a basic comparison across different styles.

Breadsticks, olives, and a tapa accompany the tasting. These are small snacks rather than lunch, but they make the tasting more comfortable and give you something to eat with the wine.

The restaurant setting is part of the appeal. The tasting is not presented as a rushed counter service. You sit down, try the wines, and hear an explanation of each one. Several people bought bottles afterward, and the winery shop also offers additional wines, olive oil, and vineyard merchandise.

Lunch is not included. You may be able to order it at the restaurant if tables are available, but only if the schedule allows and your driver has agreed to wait. The operator also notes that this depends on whether the driver has another tour afterward.

For that reason, do not book this as a guaranteed lunch outing. If you want a full meal, arrange it in advance through the private tour option rather than assuming the restaurant can fit you in.

The tasting itself is likely to suit you if you enjoy trying local wine without needing a formal lesson. If you are passionate about wine, ask how much detail will be provided on your departure. The structure is clear, but the depth may depend on the winery guide and the pace of the group.

Why the Small Group Makes a Difference

A maximum of 11 participants keeps the outing more personal than a large coach excursion. You have a better chance of hearing the guide during the drive and asking questions at the church, castle, and winery.

The group size also helps with timing. A three-hour trip has little room for delays, so getting people in and out of the vehicle efficiently matters. The short duration works best when everyone is ready at pickup and follows the agreed schedule.

The guides receive especially strong praise for communication. Yevgen is described as friendly, attentive, and willing to take photographs for the group. Stas is praised for his clear English, local information, and calm driving.

The experience is in English. That is helpful at the winery, where the staff explanation may vary in clarity, but you should not expect a multilingual tour unless the operator confirms it.

The small group does not mean a private tour. You will share the vehicle, winery visit, tasting table, and sightseeing stops with other people. If you want more control over meal timing or a longer visit, the private option is the better fit.

Is $69 a Fair Price?

At $69 per person, the price includes more than transportation to a tasting room. You receive round-trip hotel pickup, a live English-speaking guide, the winery tour, three wines, snacks, bottled water, and visits to two nearby sights.

That is good value if you want a half-day introduction to the area without renting a car or arranging a taxi. The transfer alone would not justify the price, but the combination of guiding, winery access, and tasting makes the cost reasonable.

The value is strongest for first-time visitors to Alicante who want to see something beyond the city center. You get countryside views, local architecture, a medieval site, and a historic wine estate in one short outing.

The value is weaker if your main goal is a long, serious winery visit. Three hours includes driving and sightseeing, and the winery stop cannot occupy the entire schedule. Lunch is extra, and there is no promise of an extensive tasting lesson.

I would also remember that wine purchases are separate. The shop gives you a chance to take home bottles or other products, but you are not required to buy anything.

Who Will Enjoy This Alicante Excursion?

This tour suits you if you want a convenient taste of Alicante province with little planning. It is especially useful for:

• Couples looking for a relaxed outing with wine and architecture
• Cruise passengers with limited time near Alicante
• Small groups who prefer a car or van to a large bus
• Visitors interested in local wine but not ready for a full-day wine route
• People who enjoy combining food, history, and scenery
• Anyone staying at one of the listed pickup hotels

It is less suitable if you need wheelchair access, want a full lunch, or expect a lengthy technical wine course. It may also disappoint you if you want several hours among the vines, since the vineyard portion is part of a broader three-hour visit.

Bring a camera. The church, castle, winery buildings, and countryside all give you worthwhile photo opportunities. In hot weather, the bottled water and air-conditioned vehicle are useful, and the guide may adjust the pace to keep the group comfortable.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start times when you book, since the schedule is not fixed in the supplied details.

My Take: A Strong Short Trip Outside Alicante

I would choose this excursion for a simple reason: it gives you three different experiences without demanding a full day. The old winery supplies the main attraction, while Mola Castle and the Gaudí-style church keep the outing from becoming a single-purpose tasting.

The best part is the balance of organized transport and local context. Guides such as Yevgen and Stas do more than drive you to Novelda. They explain the countryside, help with the sightseeing stops, and keep the outing running on time.

The one caution is to keep your expectations in proportion. This is a polished introduction to a historic winery and its wines, not an in-depth wine education program. The tasting includes three wines and snacks, but the level of explanation can vary.

Book it if you want a comfortable, small-group morning or afternoon outside Alicante, with enough wine, history, and architecture to make the trip feel worthwhile. Skip it if you need accessible transport, a guaranteed restaurant lunch, or a long vineyard-focused day.

FAQ

How long does the Alicante winery tour last?

The experience lasts three hours, including transport from Alicante, sightseeing near Novelda, the winery visit, and the return journey.

Where can I be picked up?

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

What wines are included in the tasting?

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

Are snacks included?

Yes. Breadsticks, olives, and a tapa are included with the wine tasting. Bottled water is also provided in the vehicle.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You may be able to order lunch at the restaurant if tables are available and the driver has time to wait. Lunch can be arranged in advance through the private tour option.

Will I visit Mola Castle and the church?

Yes. The experience includes a visit to the Gaudí-style church and the medieval Castle of Mola near Novelda. The order of the stops may vary.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.