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

A quiet wine country escape sits just outside Alicante. This three-hour outing combines a 1707 winery with a guided look at fermentation rooms, aging barrels, and bottling, then adds Novelda’s eye-catching Gaudí-style church and Mola Castle. I like the comfortable pickup service and the small-group format, which keeps the ride relaxed. I also like that the tasting includes three wines, breadsticks, olives, and a tapa rather than leaving you with only a glass and a sales pitch.

The main thing to consider is time. Three hours gives you a pleasant introduction, not a long vineyard day. The winery visit can feel brief if you want a detailed wine class, and one person found the winery guide harder to understand. Still, drivers such as Yevgen and Stas have made a strong impression with clear communication, clean cars, useful regional information, and thoughtful extra stops.

Key points at a glance

• A winery founded in 1707: Explore an old estate linked to the Marquis of La Romana, including the farmhouse and working wine rooms.
• Three wines with local snacks: Taste one white, one rosé, and one red with breadsticks, olives, and a tapa.
• A bonus church and castle stop: See a church built in a Gaudí-inspired style and the 12th-century Castle of Mola near Novelda.
• Small-group transport: The vehicle holds no more than 11 participants, with pickup and return at selected Alicante hotels.
• A short trip beyond the city: About 30 minutes in the car takes you from Alicante toward Novelda and its wine-growing countryside.
• A relaxed, good-value outing: At $69 per person, transport, guiding, sightseeing, tasting, and bottled water are included.

Why this makes a good break from Alicante

Alicante is easy to enjoy on foot, but its wider province rewards a short trip. This outing gives you a look at the agricultural side of the region without asking you to organize a rental car, find a winery, or appoint a designated driver.

I like the balance of the day. You get history, architecture, scenery, and wine, but none of these parts takes over the whole schedule. The ride to Novelda lasts roughly 30 minutes, so you are not spending most of your time in a vehicle. That matters when your total tour time is only three hours.

The group limit of 11 people is another plus. It is not a private tour, but it is small enough for a guide to answer questions and keep pickup and drop-off manageable. Past groups have included as many as eight people, which leaves the van feeling social without becoming a crowd.

The strongest part of the outing is the personal service. Yevgen and Stas are repeatedly praised for arriving on time, sharing precise pickup details, driving clean modern vehicles, and explaining the Alicante area along the way. Stas has also been noted for clear English and a good sense of humor. Yevgen has taken photos for participants and made sure people stayed comfortable during hot weather.

That service matters because the winery itself has a separate guide. Your driver may explain the wider region and the sights at Mola, while the winery staff leads you through the wine-making areas. The quality of that second explanation can vary. Most of the time, it is informative, but one person found the winery guide difficult to understand.

The drive from Alicante to Novelda

Pickup is offered 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 but useful detail when you are waiting near a busy hotel entrance.

The route gives you time to settle in and see the countryside outside Alicante. Drivers share information about the area, agriculture, and nearby sights, so the transfer becomes part of the visit rather than dead time. Bottled water is provided in the car, which is especially helpful in the warmer months.

You should not expect a full scenic drive with frequent photo stops. This is transportation to Novelda, with the main sightseeing saved for the church, castle, and winery. Still, the short road journey is one of the reasons this trip works well for people who want to get beyond the city without committing to a full-day excursion.

Food and alcohol are not allowed in the vehicle, and smoking is prohibited. That is sensible after a wine tasting, but remember it if you were planning to bring snacks for the ride.

Exploring the old estate and Bodega Casa Sicilla

The winery is the heart of the outing. The estate dates from the 18th century and once belonged to the Marquis of La Romana. The old farmhouse and winery rooms give the visit a sense of place that a modern tasting room cannot easily copy.

You are guided through the vineyard and production facilities, with attention to how organically grown grapes move from harvest to bottle. The visit includes the fermentation room, barrel room, and bottling area. These rooms help you understand the work behind the finished wine, from active fermentation to time spent aging and the final preparation for sale.

The old rooms are also visually appealing. Their age and design give the visit more character than a quick stop at a shop counter. You may find the architecture as memorable as the wine, especially if you enjoy old agricultural buildings and working estates.

The winery experience is not designed as a technical course. You will learn the basic process and hear about the property, but the schedule does not allow for a long discussion of grape varieties, soil, vintage conditions, or detailed production methods. If you already know a lot about wine, you may want more depth.

That is not necessarily a fault. Many people want a clear introduction, a pleasant setting, and a chance to taste local bottles without spending half a day on specialized terminology. This outing keeps the information accessible and leaves room for the other sights.

Three wines and a simple tasting

The tasting includes three wines: a white, a rosé, and a red. The staff explains each one as it is served, and the tasting comes with breadsticks, olives, and a tapa. That snack plate is useful because it turns the tasting into a light food break rather than three isolated samples.

The wine is served in the restaurant, which gives the final part of the winery visit a comfortable setting. You can sit, compare the three styles, and decide what you prefer. Some participants have enjoyed the wines enough to buy bottles for later in the week.

I like the range of the tasting. A white, rosé, and red give you a quick sense of the winery’s different styles, and the snacks help clear the palate between pours. You should keep your expectations in check, though. This is a guided tasting, but not an extended sommelier session. One person felt the tasting was not especially detailed and that the group was left to make its own judgments.

There is usually an opportunity to buy wine, olive oil, or winery merchandise, but there is no pressure to purchase. That makes the shop a useful option rather than an unavoidable sales stop. If you find a bottle you like, you can take it home or save it for your Alicante stay.

Lunch is not included. You may be able to order it at the restaurant if tables are available, but this depends on the day, the waiting time, and whether the driver has another tour afterward. If lunch matters to you, arrange it through the private-tour option rather than relying on a last-minute table.

Mola Castle and the Gaudí-style church

The added stop at Mola is a major reason this trip offers good value. The Church of the Magdalena is built in a Gaudí-inspired style and is often compared with the look of Barcelona’s Sagrada Família. Its unusual forms make it a striking contrast to Alicante’s more familiar coastal architecture.

The church visit is relatively short, but it gives you enough time to see the building and hear why it is notable. The surrounding views add to the stop, especially on a clear day. Bring a camera, as the church and nearby countryside provide some of the best photo opportunities of the outing.

Mola Castle dates from the 12th century. Today, the stop is more about seeing the remains, understanding the site, and taking in the setting than exploring a large intact fortress. Your driver-guide can give you the basic story and point out areas of interest.

The order of these stops can vary. Some groups visit the church and castle first, then go to the winery. Others receive the church and castle as an extra stop on the way back. Either way, allow for uneven ground and outdoor walking. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.

The church and castle are also where weather matters most. In rain, you may miss some of the outdoor views or spend less time around the vineyard. In strong summer heat, the water in the vehicle becomes welcome, and a hat, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes make sense.

What $69 buys you

At $69 per person, this is not the cheapest way to taste wine near Alicante. It is a solid package when you count the round-trip transport, English-speaking driver-guide, winery tour, three wines, snacks, bottled water, and the two sightseeing stops.

The value is strongest if you do not have a car. You avoid navigation, parking, and the obvious problem of tasting wine before driving. You also get a short introduction to Novelda that would be harder to arrange independently in only three hours.

The price is less compelling if your only goal is wine tasting. The visit is intentionally short, and the tasting does not include lunch or a long technical presentation. A private tour can include lunch by advance arrangement, but that will change the cost and may require more planning.

For many visitors, the mix is the point. You are paying for a compact regional outing, not simply three samples. The church and castle add cultural interest, while the winery offers a slower, more traditional stop outside the city.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this trip if you want a simple half-day outing with several different elements. It suits couples, small groups, cruise passengers, and anyone staying in Alicante who wants to see more of the province without renting a car.

It is especially good for:

• Wine drinkers who prefer a relaxed introduction to local production
• People interested in old estates and working winery spaces
• Visitors who enjoy unusual architecture and medieval sites
• Cruise passengers seeking a manageable excursion from Alicante
• Anyone who values hotel pickup and a small group
• People who want a short outing rather than a full day away

You may want something else if you need wheelchair access, want an in-depth wine education, or expect a full lunch and extensive vineyard walking. The outdoor sights also depend on the weather, and the church and castle portion is brief.

Practical details before you go

Wear shoes suitable for walking around an old estate and outdoor historic sites. Bring a camera, sun protection, and water for time outside, even though bottled water is supplied in the car.

Check the pickup message carefully. The vehicle model and license plate are provided before arrival, and this helps you identify the correct car at your hotel. The return is made to the same four hotel areas.

The tour is conducted in English. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability.

The experience carries a three-hour duration, but the exact balance between driving, sightseeing, the winery tour, and tasting can shift. If you want lunch, arrange it in advance rather than assuming the restaurant will have a free table.

Should you book it?

Book this Alicante winery tour if you want good regional variety in a short outing. The clean transport, careful pickup communication, friendly drivers, old winery, three-wine tasting, church, and castle make $69 a fair price for a well-filled morning or afternoon.

I would skip it only if wine is your sole priority and you want a long, serious tasting. For everyone else, this is an easy way to trade the city center for vineyards, historic stone, unusual architecture, and a taste of Alicante’s inland character.

FAQ

How long does the Alicante winery tour last?

The tour lasts about three hours, including transportation, sightseeing, the winery visit, and wine tasting.

How far is the winery from Alicante?

The drive from the center of Alicante province takes about 30 minutes.

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 hotels is included.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to 11 participants.

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 tapa.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, though it may be ordered in advance through the private-tour option or during the winery visit if tables and timing allow.

Does the tour include the church and castle?

Yes. The experience includes a visit to the Gaudí-style church and the medieval Castle of Mola.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The tour is conducted in English.

Can I cancel the booking?

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