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

Wine, history, and a very good detour. This three-hour trip from Alicante takes you into the countryside around Novelda for a winery visit at an estate founded in 1707, followed by three tastings and snacks. I like the mix of working wine production and unusual local sights, especially the Gaudí-style church and 12th-century Mola Castle. I also like the small-group format, with no more than 11 people and round-trip transport included.

The main consideration is time. The winery visit, church, castle, driving, and tasting all fit into a short outing, so this is an introduction rather than a slow wine day. The outside vineyard visit may also be less enjoyable in rain or intense summer heat, and one tasting experience was described as fairly brief.

Key points at a glance

• A winery founded in 1707: Visit an old estate once connected with the Marquis of La Romana, including its farmhouse and wine-making rooms.
• Three wines with simple local snacks: Taste a white, rosé, and red wine with breadsticks, olives, and a tapa.
• A useful way to leave Alicante: Round-trip transport takes you from selected hotels into the Novelda area without arranging a taxi or designated driver.
• Two unusual bonus sights: See a Gaudí-style church and the medieval Castle of Mola during the same outing.
• Small group, personal service: The vehicle carries up to 11 participants, and guides such as Yevgen and Stas have been praised for clear communication and careful driving.
• Good value at $69: Transport, guiding, winery access, tastings, snacks, water, and sightseeing are included, but lunch costs extra.

Why this Alicante wine trip works

Alicante is easy to enjoy from the beach or old town, but the province has much more going on inland. This trip gives you a quick look at vineyards, historic buildings, and the town of Novelda without spending a full day on the road.

The appeal is its balance. You are not signing up for three hours of wine tasting alone. You get a drive through the Alicante countryside, a guided visit to an old estate, a tasting in a restaurant, and two short cultural stops. That makes it useful for you if you want a taste of the region without giving up an entire day.

I especially like that the tour does not depend on you renting a car. Wine tasting and driving are a poor match, and the included return ride removes that problem. The vehicle also provides bottled water, which matters during the warmer months.

The experience has earned a 4.9 rating from 91 bookings, with strong praise for the guides, clean vehicles, easy pickup, and the winery itself. The positive pattern is clear: the service is often as important as the sightseeing. Yevgen and Stas are both named in the feedback, and both are described as friendly, punctual, careful, and well informed about Alicante and the surrounding area.

Pickup from Alicante and the drive inland

Pickup is available at four hotels: Meliá Alicante, Hotel Albahía, Hotel Port Alicante City & Beach, and Hotel Travelodge Alicante Puerto. You receive the vehicle model and license plate before pickup, a small detail that makes meeting the driver much easier.

If you are arriving by cruise ship, Meliá Alicante is the most practical choice among the listed pickup points. One useful tip is that the cruise shuttle stops only a short distance from the hotel, making this meeting point convenient for a shore excursion.

The drive to the winery takes about 30 minutes. That is long enough to see the city give way to the Alicante countryside, but short enough that you are not spending most of the tour in a vehicle. Guides have used the drive to explain the region, agriculture, church, castle, and local sights.

The transport has received particularly strong praise. It has been described as modern, clean, cool, and comfortable, with clear audio from the guide’s microphone. The small vehicle also gives the outing a more personal feel than a large coach tour.

Still, pickup times can vary because several hotels are served. You should be ready at the stated meeting point and watch for the vehicle details sent in advance. Smoking, food, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed in the vehicle.

The old estate and its 1707 winery

The main stop is an old winery and farmhouse in the Novelda area. The estate dates to the 18th century and once belonged to the Marquis of La Romana. Its age gives the visit a sense of place that a modern tasting room cannot provide.

You are guided through the old house and vineyard before seeing the production facilities. The visit includes the fermentation room, barrel room, and bottling area. This helps connect the glass in front of you with the work behind it.

The winery uses organically grown grapes, and the tour explains the path from grape to bottle. You learn about the production process, including fermentation, aging in barrels, and bottling. The details are practical rather than overly technical, which suits a short excursion.

The old rooms are one of the strongest parts of the outing. Their age, layout, and working purpose make the visit feel more genuine than a staged attraction. You are seeing a place used for wine production, not just a display built for visitors.

The exact depth of the explanation can depend on who leads the winery portion. Most feedback describes the visit as clear and informative, but one person found the winery guide difficult to understand. If wine education is your main reason for booking, keep that possibility in mind.

You should also expect a compact visit rather than a long walk among the vines. The vineyard is part of the experience, but weather can affect how much time you spend outdoors. Rain prevented one visitor from seeing the vineyard properly, while summer heat made water and a cool vehicle especially welcome.

Tasting white, rosé, and red wine

The tasting takes place in the restaurant and includes three wines: white, rosé, and red. Breadsticks, olives, and a tapa are served with the wine. Bottled water is also available in the vehicle.

This is a pleasant way to taste across the winery’s range. You can compare the lighter white with the rosé and fuller red, while the guide explains each wine. The setting adds to the experience, since you are tasting in the same estate connected with the production rooms you have just seen.

The wines have been widely praised as enjoyable and easy to like. Some people purchased bottles for later in the week, and the winery shop also offers additional wines, oils, and merchandise. Purchases are optional, and there is no indication that you are pressured to buy.

Do not expect a formal sommelier course. The tasting may be detailed, but one person felt the group was left to taste with limited explanation. That sounds like an occasional weakness rather than the usual pattern, but it is worth knowing if you want a highly technical wine lesson.

Lunch is not included. You can order it in advance through the private tour option, or you may be able to order during the winery visit if tables are available and your driver has enough time. That option depends on restaurant space and the day’s schedule, so do not assume lunch will fit.

At $69, the tasting is only one part of the value. You are also paying for the private-style transport, guide, winery admission, snacks, sightseeing stops, and return drop-off. For you, the price makes the most sense if you want all those pieces together. It is less compelling if you only want to sample wine and plan to visit wineries independently.

The Gaudí-style church near Mola Castle

The church is a memorable addition because its design is unlike the usual historic churches around Alicante. It is described as being built in Gaudí’s style, and one guide compared it to the look of Barcelona’s Sagrada Família.

The stop is usually brief, but it gives you time to see the exterior, hear some local background, and take photographs. The surrounding views are another reason to bring a camera. This is not a full architectural tour, so you should treat it as a striking cultural pause rather than the central purpose of the trip.

The church is often visited before the winery or as an added stop on the way back. The order can vary. Guides such as Yevgen and Stas have been praised for taking time to explain the church and point out details around it.

Rain can make this part less enjoyable, since some of the value comes from the outdoor views. In good weather, it breaks up the winery visit nicely and gives you a different side of Novelda.

Mola Castle and the 12th-century setting

The Castle of Mola dates from the 12th century and adds a medieval layer to the day. You get a short look at the ruins and the setting around them, with the guide explaining enough history to make the stop meaningful.

This is not a full castle exploration. The time available is limited, and the church and castle work as short sightseeing stops alongside the winery. Still, the pairing is effective: the church shows a distinctive modern architectural style, while the castle reaches back to the medieval period.

Several guides have included the castle even when it was described as a bonus. That extra stop has been one of the most appreciated touches of the trip. It costs you no additional fee and gives the drive back a clear purpose rather than making it only a transfer.

If you prefer a long, unhurried visit at one historic site, this schedule may feel quick. If you like seeing several different places in a compact outing, the combination works well.

The guides make a real difference

The guide is also the driver, so good communication matters. Yevgen has been praised for sending detailed pickup instructions, arriving on time, taking photographs, keeping the group comfortable, and explaining the region with warmth and humor.

Stas has also received strong praise for careful driving, clear English, and useful information about the church, castle, agriculture, and countryside. One person specifically noted that the vehicle was modern and clean, while another appreciated the cool air and water during the midday heat.

The guide’s role extends beyond getting you from Alicante to the winery. You receive background during the drive, help at the sightseeing stops, and a smooth return to your hotel. That personal service is a major reason the trip feels more relaxed than a self-guided outing.

The winery guide may be a different person. English ability and presentation style can vary, and one booking described the winery explanation as hard to understand. You should therefore place more weight on the overall outing than on the promise of a polished wine lecture.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend this trip if you want:

• A short excursion from Alicante without renting a car
• A small group rather than a large coach
• Wine tasting combined with local history and architecture
• A relaxed introduction to Alicante’s inland countryside
• A designated driver after drinking wine
• A guided visit that fits into a three-hour schedule

It suits couples, friends, cruise passengers, and anyone with only a morning or afternoon free. The three-hour length is especially useful if you have other plans in Alicante.

You may want something else if you are looking for a full-day winery tour, a long vineyard walk, a large lunch, or advanced wine education. The route is compact, and the tasting is designed for general enjoyment rather than professional study.

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. Bring a camera, wear practical shoes for walking around the estate and sightseeing stops, and bring sun protection during the hotter months. The supplied water helps, but it is still wise to plan for warm weather.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve while paying later. Starting times depend on availability.

Is this Alicante winery tour worth $69?

For most people, yes. The price includes more than the wine: hotel pickup and return, a small-group vehicle, live English guiding, the estate and production rooms, three wines, breadsticks, olives, a tapa, bottled water, and the church and castle stops.

The best value comes from the convenience. You do not need to arrange transport into the countryside, choose a safe way home after tasting, or research how to combine the winery with Mola Castle and the church. The guides also add local context that you would miss by simply visiting the winery alone.

I would not book it expecting a luxurious food-and-wine day. Lunch is extra, the schedule is brisk, and the winery explanation may vary. But as a compact outing that joins wine, architecture, medieval history, and comfortable transport, it makes good use of three hours.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want an easy, well-paced break from Alicante’s city center and you enjoy variety. The winery is the main event, but the church and castle make the trip feel like a small regional tour rather than a simple tasting.

I would choose it especially for a first visit to Alicante, a cruise stop, or a free half-day when you want to see beyond the coast. If you already have extensive winery plans or want a long, slow tasting with lunch, spend your money elsewhere. For a short introduction to Novelda, this is a practical and enjoyable choice.

FAQ

How long does the Alicante winery and church tour last?

The experience lasts about three hours, including transportation from Alicante, the Novelda visit, the winery tour, wine tasting, and return drop-off.

Where can I be picked up?

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

Is transportation included?

Yes. Round-trip transportation from the listed pickup points is included, along with bottled water in the vehicle.

How many people are in the group?

The tour is limited to 11 participants, making it a small-group experience.

Which wines are included in the tasting?

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

Are snacks included?

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

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. It may be ordered in advance through the private tour option, or during the winery visit if tables and time are available.

What else will I see besides the winery?

The experience includes a Gaudí-style church and the 12th-century Castle of Mola. These may be visited before the winery or as an additional stop on the return route.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Can I cancel the booking?

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