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

A wine road trip with a bonus castle. This small-group outing from Alicante pairs a 1707 winery with Novelda’s unusual Santa Magdalena Church and the medieval Castle of Mola. I like the personal service, especially when guides such as Yevgen or Stas provide local context during the drive. I also like the easy tasting format: three wines, simple snacks, and a guided look at the vineyard, old house, cellar, and production areas.

The main consideration is time. The whole experience lasts about three hours, so the winery visit and Novelda sights are compact rather than leisurely. One tasting report also found the winery guide rushed and the pours small, with only one modest glass of each wine. Still, a 4.9 rating from 37 reviews and a 100 percent recommendation rate suggest this is a strong short excursion for wine fans who want more than another city-center stop.

Key points to know before you go

• A 1707 winery near Novelda: Explore an old Spanish wine estate, its house, vineyard, cellar, and production facilities.
• Three local wines included: Taste white, rosé, and red wine with breadsticks, olives, and a small tapa.
• Santa Magdalena Church: See an unusual church built in the style of Gaudí, a striking change from Alicante’s usual sights.
• Castle of Mola: Add a medieval stop at a 12th-century castle with broad views over the surrounding area.
• Small groups capped at 11: You have a better chance to ask questions and get help from your guide.
• Strong guide service: Yevgen is praised for careful driving, clear English, updates about pickup, and useful local advice.

Why this Alicante wine trip is worth considering

Alicante is easy to enjoy without leaving the city, but this trip gives you a look at the inland side of the province. In roughly three hours, you visit Novelda, see two distinctive historic sights, and sample wine made in the area. That makes the outing useful for anyone who wants a change of pace without giving up most of a day.

I like the balance. This is not only a tasting, and it is not only a sightseeing drive. The church and castle give the trip a sense of place, while the winery provides the main hands-on activity. You get local wine, architecture, countryside views, and a guide who can point out features along the road.

The group limit is 11 people. That matters here because the experience depends partly on conversation. You can ask about the wines, the church, the region, or ideas for the rest of your Alicante visit. Guides Yevgen and Stas receive particularly warm praise for their friendly manner, clear English, driving, and willingness to adjust small details when possible.

The advertised price is $64.89 per person. That is fair value if you would otherwise pay separately for transport, a winery visit, three tastings, and entry to Novelda’s main sights. The value drops a little if you mainly want a long wine tasting, since the tasting portions can be small and the schedule is fairly tight.

The drive from Alicante to Novelda

The tour begins at 10:30 in the morning and returns to the same meeting point. Transport is in an air-conditioned vehicle, which is a practical benefit in Spain, especially during warmer months. You do not need to arrange a rental car or work out the route to Novelda yourself.

The drive also forms part of the experience. Yevgen is praised for pointing out landmarks and explaining the surroundings along the way. That kind of running commentary can turn a basic transfer into a useful introduction to the area. It also gives you a chance to ask for suggestions for the rest of your stay.

Pickup details are important, so read the confirmation carefully after booking. The supplied information identifies a meeting point but does not provide a street address here. The tour ends back at that same point, so plan your later activities around the return rather than assuming a drop-off at another location.

The small group can make the ride feel more relaxed than a large coach excursion. One booking ended up with only two people, and the tour still operated. That suggests the operator aims to keep the experience personal, though you should not assume you will have a private tour.

Santa Magdalena Church and its Gaudí-style design

The Church of Santa Magdalena is one of the most unusual stops in Novelda. It is built in a style associated with Antoni Gaudí, giving the visit a different visual character from the older churches you may see in Alicante itself.

The church is included as part of the guided visit, and the stop is also praised for its views. This is a good place to slow down, look closely at the exterior, and let the guide explain what makes the design unusual. The available information does not promise an extended interior tour, so think of this as a focused architectural stop rather than a full religious monument visit.

I like this part of the outing because it adds a genuine local surprise. Wine tours can sometimes feel interchangeable, but a Gaudí-style church in Novelda gives this one a clear identity. It also breaks up the tasting schedule and makes the journey worthwhile for anyone in your group who is not especially interested in wine.

The timing is the main limitation. With the full excursion lasting about three hours, you should expect enough time to see the church and enjoy the views, but not an unhurried architectural study. One guide may give more detail than another, and the experience can depend on how long the group spends at each stop.

Castle of Mola and the views above Novelda

The Castle of Mola dates from the 12th century and adds a medieval layer to the trip. Its position offers wide views over the surrounding area, making it a natural companion to the church visit.

The castle is included in the planned sightseeing, but the exact time spent there can vary. One guide allowed extra time for exploration, and another booking included a helpful stop at the castle and church after the winery. In one case, the guide also dropped the group at a different castle to explore, but that was an extra gesture, not something you should count on as part of the standard program.

That distinction matters. The listed experience includes the Castle of Mola, Santa Magdalena Church, and the winery. Additional stops or flexible drop-offs depend on the guide and the day. Treat them as pleasant bonuses rather than guaranteed features.

Wear comfortable shoes for the sightseeing portions. The supplied information does not describe the walking surface or amount of climbing, so I would avoid assuming that the castle visit is entirely flat or effortless. Most people can participate, but anyone with mobility concerns should ask for more details before booking.

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 combination gives you more than a quick drink at a tasting counter.

A professional guide explains the winemaking process, including aging and processing. The winery itself is described as quaint, beautiful, large, and interesting, depending on the part of the property being viewed. I would expect a traditional setting rather than a modern city tasting room, with the old house and production areas giving the visit its character.

The winery stop is valuable because you can connect the wine in your glass with the place where it is produced. You see the working side of the operation, then taste the results. If you enjoy understanding how products are made, this will likely be more satisfying than a simple three-wine flight.

The amount of explanation may vary. One tasting guide was said to be in a hurry, leaving less time for questions about the individual wines. Your driver-guide may add context, but the winery staff and schedule control much of the tasting itself. If you have a specific question, ask it early instead of waiting until the final pour.

What you taste, and how much food is included

The tasting includes three different wines: white, rosé, and red. Breadsticks, olives, and a small tapa are served with them. This is enough to give you a light snack and a sense of how the wines pair with simple local foods, but it is not lunch.

One important detail is the portion size. A tasting report described one small glass of each wine, with no second pour. You should book this for the setting, explanation, and chance to sample local bottles, not for a long afternoon of generous drinking.

The red wine was served cold on one occasion, which may surprise people who expect red wine at a warmer temperature. It is a minor point, but wine enthusiasts should keep expectations practical. The quality of the visit depends as much on the winery setting and guide as on the tasting service.

Lunch is not included. A meal can be arranged in advance with a table reservation for a private tour, or possibly during a winery visit when timing has been agreed with the driver and no later tour creates a schedule problem. Do not rely on this option unless it has been confirmed before the day of your trip.

The guides make a real difference

The strongest praise goes to the guides, especially Yevgen. He is described as polite, friendly, calm, prompt, and an excellent driver. He also kept the tour running when only two people had booked, which shows a useful level of commitment.

Yevgen’s role appears to go beyond transportation. He points out landmarks, explains the church and castle, keeps people informed about pickup, and offers tips for the rest of the Alicante visit. That kind of practical help can be more useful than a memorized speech, particularly when you want restaurant or sightseeing ideas.

Stas is also praised as a strong guide. The positive comments focus on the same qualities: a smooth trip, a beautiful church, a good winery, and tasty wine. Since guide assignments can change, you should enjoy the personal attention if you receive it, but not assume a particular person is guaranteed.

The guide can also help the experience feel flexible. A few small changes, such as allowing more time at the castle, were appreciated. Still, the tour has a fixed duration and may have other bookings to meet, so flexibility is not unlimited.

Who will get the most from this three-hour outing

I would recommend this trip to anyone who wants a short, organized taste of inland Alicante. It suits couples, families, small groups, and solo visitors who like meeting other wine fans. The small-group format gives you a social setting without the feel of a large bus tour.

It is especially useful if you are staying in Alicante and do not have a car. The air-conditioned vehicle handles the transport, and you get several stops that would be awkward to combine independently in a short morning.

This is also a good choice for mixed-interest groups. Wine lovers get the tasting and winery visit, while architecture and history fans get Santa Magdalena Church and the Castle of Mola. The views and drive add something for people who simply want to see a different part of the province.

I would be less enthusiastic if you want a full-day wine experience with many pours, a large meal, or a highly detailed seminar on wine. Three wines are included, but portions may be limited. The winery explanation can also feel brief if the schedule is tight.

The tour is offered in English. Confirmation is provided when you book, and most people can participate. The maximum group size is 11, but the exact number on your date can be smaller.

Price, timing, and cancellation advice

At $64.89 per person, the cost covers the air-conditioned vehicle, fees and taxes, the guided winery visit, three wine samples, snacks, Santa Magdalena Church, and the Castle of Mola. For a compact half-day-style outing, that is reasonable, especially if you value having a driver and guide.

The tour lasts about three hours, beginning at 10:30 in the morning. You should have time to continue sightseeing or make lunch plans afterward, but keep a little flexibility in case the group spends longer at a stop.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The experience requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the Novelda winery tour?

Book it if you want an easy day trip from Alicante with three distinct elements: local wine, unusual architecture, and a medieval castle. The strongest reasons are the small group, reliable transport, friendly guide service, and the chance to see Novelda rather than staying only in the city.

Go in with sensible expectations. The tasting is light, the schedule is compact, lunch costs extra, and the winery presentation may not leave much time for detailed wine questions. For $64.89, I think the mix of sights and tasting makes good sense, especially for first-time visitors who want a simple route into the surrounding area.

FAQ

What time does the tour begin?

The tour begins at 10:30 am.

How long does the experience last?

It lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 11 travelers.

Which wines are included?

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

What food is served with the tasting?

The included snacks are breadsticks, olives, and a small tapa.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but it may be arranged in advance with a table reservation for a private tour or under an agreed schedule during the winery visit.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.