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

Wine meets stone and hilltop views. This three-hour trip from Alicante combines a guided visit to a Spanish winery founded in 1707 with Novelda’s striking Santa Magdalena Church and the medieval Castle of Mola. I like the mix of local wine and architecture, and I also like the small-group size, capped at 11 people, which gives you room to ask questions. The main thing to consider is that the tasting pours may be quite small, and the winery guide may keep the explanation fairly brisk.

The tour costs $64.89 per person and begins at 10:30 a.m. An air-conditioned vehicle carries you to Novelda and back to the meeting point. Guides such as Yevgen and Stas have been praised for being polite, punctual, careful drivers, and helpful sources of tips for the rest of your Alicante stay.

Key points at a glance

• A winery founded in 1707: Visit the vineyard, old house, production areas, and winery while learning how the wines are made.
• Three local wines included: Taste one white, one rosé, and one red with breadsticks, olives, and a small tapa.
• Santa Magdalena Church: See Novelda’s unusual Gaudí-style church, also referred to as the Mary Magdalene Church.
• Castle of Mola: Add a medieval stop at a 12th-century castle with broad views around Novelda.
• Small group format: The maximum group size is 11, so you can ask your guide questions without fighting for attention.
• Useful extras from the driver: Guides may point out sights on the road and offer practical Alicante suggestions.

Why this makes a good half-day from Alicante

Alicante is easy to enjoy from the coast, but a short trip inland gives you a different view of the province. Novelda brings together wine, religious architecture, and a medieval castle without asking you to spend a full day on the road.

I like the balance here. You are not spending three hours only in a tasting room, and you are not rushing from monument to monument with no time for food or conversation. The winery is the main event, but the church and castle give the outing a proper sense of place.

The tour is also a useful choice if you do not want to rent a car. The air-conditioned vehicle removes the need to plan the route, and the driver can explain some of the sights along the way. Yevgen, in particular, has been praised for keeping people informed about pickup arrangements and for pointing out landmarks during the drive.

The schedule starts at 10:30 a.m. and lasts about three hours. That makes it easy to fit around an afternoon in Alicante, though you should remember that the timing is approximate. A winery visit can run at the pace of the cellar, not the clock.

Novelda, a change of scene inland

Novelda is the kind of destination that works well as a short regional outing. It is close enough to Alicante for a half-day visit, yet the church, castle, and winery make it feel distinct from the city.

The drive is part of the experience rather than dead time. Your guide can point out local landmarks and explain what you are seeing around Alicante and Novelda. This personal commentary is one reason the small-group setup matters. In a large coach, the ride would mainly be transport. Here, it can feel more like a guided introduction to the area.

Do not expect a formal sightseeing tour of every corner of Novelda. The focus is selective: Santa Magdalena Church, Castle of Mola, and the winery. That is a strength if you want a clear plan, but less suitable if you hoped for a long, unstructured afternoon in town.

Santa Magdalena Church and its Gaudí-style design

Santa Magdalena Church is one of the most unusual stops. Its design follows the style associated with Antoni Gaudí, giving you a sharp contrast with the older medieval castle nearby.

The church is often described in the tour material as a Gaudí-style building, while some descriptions call it the Mary Magdalene Church. Either way, this is not simply a quick photo stop with no context. The guide provides information about the building, and you have time to look around and take in the setting.

The church also gives you some of the best views of the outing. You might find the stop especially rewarding if you enjoy architecture but do not want to spend hours inside a major museum. It offers a compact, visual lesson in how modernist ideas can appear in a smaller Spanish town.

A practical point: the church and castle are included as part of the planned visit, but the exact amount of time at each can depend on the day’s schedule. Some guides have also allowed extra time at the castle or dropped people at another castle afterward, but you should treat that as a possible courtesy, not a guaranteed part of the program.

Castle of Mola, a medieval counterpoint

The Castle of Mola dates from the 12th century. After the church’s modernist curves and decorative style, the castle supplies a much older, more defensive character.

The stop is valuable because it adds historical variety to the day. You are not simply tasting wine and returning to Alicante. You also see the kind of hilltop setting that helped medieval settlements watch over the surrounding area.

The castle is especially appealing if you enjoy views and old stone buildings. The available information does not promise a long guided castle tour, so expect the guide to explain the site and give you time to explore rather than provide an extended academic lecture.

This is also where a flexible guide can make a difference. Yevgen has been praised for allowing people time to look around and, on one occasion, for taking a participant to another castle after the winery. Again, do not book expecting that extra stop. Book because the stated tour already includes Castle of Mola.

Inside the old winery founded in 1707

The winery is the heart of the experience. It was founded in 1707, and the visit includes the vineyard, old house, winery, and production facilities. That range gives you more than a simple tasting at a polished bar.

You can expect an explanation of the winemaking process, including how the wine is produced and aged. The visit also covers the working side of the operation, which helps connect the drink in your glass with the building, equipment, and local setting around it.

I like this format because it gives the wines a story without requiring specialist knowledge. You do not need to know the difference between every grape variety before arriving. A professional guide explains the process, and you can ask questions in a smaller setting.

There is one limitation to keep in mind. One part of the winery visit has been described as moving quickly, with not much time to ask about each wine. If tasting notes and detailed discussion matter most to you, speak up early and use the chance to ask your guide or winery host directly.

Three wines, small snacks, and realistic tasting expectations

The tasting includes three wines:

• A white wine
• A rosé
• A red wine

Breadsticks, olives, and a small tapa are also provided. These snacks are modest, but they make the tasting more pleasant and help avoid drinking on an empty stomach.

The wines have generally been well received, and the tasting offers a simple way to compare three different styles from the area. I would treat it as an introduction to local wine rather than a full meal or a long tasting session.

Portion size is the clearest point to watch. One account describes receiving only one very small glass of each wine. The red wine was also served cold on one occasion, which may not suit your preference. If you are expecting generous pours, a full lunch, or a long sommelier-style class, this tour may feel limited.

Lunch is not included. A restaurant meal may be arranged in advance for a private tour, or during the winery visit in certain timing arrangements with the driver. Since this depends on the schedule, ask before booking if lunch is important to you. Otherwise, plan to eat before or after the activity.

The guide can shape the whole outing

The strongest praise is directed at the guides, especially Yevgen and Stas. Yevgen has been described as polite, friendly, punctual, calm, and an excellent driver. He also continued with the tour when only two people were booked, which suggests a personal approach rather than a rigid group-only feel.

His driving commentary is another plus. He has pointed out landmarks on the way and shared information at both the church and castle. You can also ask for suggestions for the rest of your Alicante visit, which is useful if this is one of your first days in the area.

Stas has also been praised for making the outing run smoothly. The repeated theme is simple: the driver is not just taking you from point to point. He helps connect the sites and keeps the day organized.

Still, guide service can vary. The winery’s own host may be more hurried than your driver, and the amount of explanation at each site may depend on the day. If you want a detailed answer, ask a direct question instead of waiting for a long presentation.

Is $64.89 good value?

At $64.89, this is not the cheapest way to taste wine, but the price covers several moving parts. You receive round-trip transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, guided sightseeing in Novelda, entry to the winery areas, three wines, snacks, and the services of a small-group guide.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay for a taxi, rental car, or separate excursion to Novelda. It also makes sense if you want more than a tasting. The church and castle turn the outing into a compact cultural trip, while the driver’s commentary adds value during the journey.

The price is less attractive if your only goal is to drink several generous glasses of wine. The portions may be small, lunch costs extra, and the total tour lasts about three hours. Wine specialists looking for a long technical tasting may prefer a dedicated winery visit with more time focused on the bottle.

For most people, I see the cost as fair for a guided half-day outing that combines transport, architecture, history, and wine. The included snacks are a useful touch, but they should not be mistaken for lunch.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to you if you want an easy way to see a less familiar part of the Alicante area. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors, and families who can take part in a wine tasting. The small maximum group of 11 is a good middle ground: social enough to meet other wine-lovers, but small enough for questions.

It is also a good match for people who value a helpful driver. Yevgen’s careful driving, clear communication, and willingness to share local tips have been major strengths. If you are staying in Alicante for several days, those suggestions may be as useful as the formal sightseeing.

You may want to choose another experience if you need a full meal, large pours, or an in-depth wine education. You should also keep expectations flexible about the timing of the church, castle, and winery. The tour includes all three, but the winery presentation may move quickly.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 10:30 a.m. start time. Last-minute cancellations or changes are not accepted, and tips are not included.

Should you book the Novelda winery tour?

Book it if you want a relaxed mix of wine and sightseeing, not a tasting marathon. The 1707 winery, three local wines, Santa Magdalena Church, and Castle of Mola give you a lot of variety in about three hours.

I would especially choose it early in an Alicante stay, when a guide’s local suggestions can help shape the rest of your trip. Just bring realistic expectations about the small pours and the possibility of a quick winery explanation. For an easy, social outing with a strong driver-guide and a clear regional focus, this is a very good value.

FAQ

How long does the Alicante winery and Novelda tour last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 10:30 a.m.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 11 people.

Which wines are included in the tasting?

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

Are snacks included?

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

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included, though it may be arranged in advance in certain private-tour or timing arrangements.

What happens if the weather is poor?

Because the experience requires good weather, a cancellation caused by poor weather gives you the choice of another date or a full refund.