Alicante: Historic Winery (1707), 3 Wine Tasting & Transfer

An old winery founded in 1707 is the star of this short trip from Alicante. In Novelda, you visit an 18th-century workhouse linked to the Marquises of La Romana, learn how grapes grow in the Mediterranean climate, and follow the wine-making process from vineyard to bottle.

I like the private car transfer, especially for a small group that wants a calm ride instead of a bus. I also like the simple tasting format: one white, one rosé, and one red, served with breadsticks, olives, and a small tapa. The main caution is that this is a basic local wine experience, not an advanced tasting of rare or aged bottles.

Key points to know before booking

• A winery founded in 1707: The visit begins in an old 18th-century workhouse where the setting is as important as the wine.
• Three wines included: You taste a white, rosé, and red, with small snacks to keep the tasting grounded and casual.
• Private transport for up to four people: The transfer is by car, not bus, and the small group size allows for a more personal outing.
• Organic farming explained on site: You learn how the estate grows its grapes and produces its wines.
• Guides in three languages: In-person guiding is available in English, Spanish, and Russian. Igor has handled the driving for some departures.
• Best for history-minded wine drinkers: The experience suits people curious about traditional Alicante wine, while serious wine experts may want a premium tasting instead.

From Alicante to Novelda by private car

The experience lasts about two hours and 30 minutes, with roughly an hour and a half spent at the winery. The rest of the time allows for the private transfer between Alicante and Novelda, though exact pickup and travel timing should be confirmed when you book.

The private car is one of the strongest practical features. This is not a large coach outing with a crowded tasting room and a long list of pickup points. The group is limited to four people, and transport is included in the price. That makes the tour especially useful if you want to taste wine without arranging your own driver.

Igor has driven some departures and is described as attentive and reassuring on the road. That matters in a wine tour. You can concentrate on the countryside and the conversation rather than worrying about directions, parking, or who will drive back after the tasting.

The trip is offered in English, and guides can also provide the experience in Spanish or Russian. The information lists an in-person guide, but it does not give the name of the winery host who leads the estate visit. Igor is specifically identified as a driver, so you should not assume he is also the person who conducts the wine presentation.

Entering the 18th-century workhouse

The visit begins in an old house that once served as an 18th-century workhouse. The building is connected with the Marquises of La Romana, and the tour uses the house to explain the estate, its owners, and the vineyards.

This is the part that gives the outing its character. You are not simply standing at a modern counter while someone pours three glasses. The old building creates a sense of how wine production was tied to rural estates and working life in earlier centuries.

The setting may appeal to you even if wine is not your main interest. The experience gives you a place, a family connection, and a working tradition to think about before the tasting begins. The atmosphere is presented as one in which time seems to have stopped, though you should expect a historic winery visit rather than a fully staged museum exhibition.

The house also helps put the wines in context. Alicante’s wine culture is shaped by its Mediterranean conditions, and the presentation explains how those conditions help the grapes grow. That is a useful introduction if you want more than a quick sip and a sales pitch.

From Mediterranean grapes to the bottle

After touring the estate, you learn about the winery’s organic farming methods. The explanation follows the work from the vineyards through production and finally to bottling.

The focus here is practical. You are shown how the grapes are grown and how the wine is made, rather than being given only a polished brand story. The visit connects farming choices with the finished wines in your glass.

The available information does not specify every organic method used on the estate, so you should expect a general explanation rather than a technical course in soil management or certification. If organic production is a major reason for booking, ask the guide for more detail during the visit.

The tour also explains the vineyards and the history of the house belonging to the Marquises of La Romana. These details are important because they turn a short tasting into a brief lesson in local agriculture and estate life. You come away with a clearer idea of how traditional wine production fits into the region.

Three wines and a small plate of local flavor

The tasting includes three different wines:

• White
• Rosé
• Red

Each wine comes with an explanation. The food pairing is modest but useful: breadsticks, olives, and a small tapa. This is not a full meal, so eat beforehand if you need lunch or dinner. The snacks are there to accompany the tasting, not replace a restaurant stop.

The three-wine line-up gives you a simple way to compare styles. You can move from the lighter white to the rosé and then to the red, while the guide explains what you are drinking. It is a straightforward format for anyone who does not know much about wine.

The white has received particular praise from at least one participant, who preferred the Sauvignon Blanc of the three. That gives you a practical tip: pay close attention to the white, especially if you usually prefer crisp, lighter wines.

The tasting is not positioned as a premium or collector-focused session. The winery also offers tastings of aged premium wines, but that is a different experience. If you already know a lot about wine, the standard tasting may feel limited. One person found the wines only average and considered the visit better suited to people interested in the historic side of the estate.

That criticism is fair and useful. The value here is not based on rare bottles or complex tasting theory. You are paying for a short cultural outing that combines transport, a historic setting, a guided production visit, and three traditional local wines.

What the $83.08 price really covers

At $83.08 per person, the price needs to be judged as a complete outing rather than as the cost of three pours. The package includes private transportation, the guide, all fees and taxes, the winery visit, and the tasting with snacks.

For a group of two to four, the private transfer adds real value. You do not need to arrange a taxi or find your own way to Novelda, and you avoid the problem of driving after drinking. The maximum group size of four also keeps the experience personal.

The price is less compelling if you are mainly shopping for wine. Three standard local wines, breadsticks, olives, and a small tapa do not by themselves justify a premium cost for an experienced wine buyer. The historic house and private car are the parts that make the package more worthwhile.

I would see it as a convenient half-day-style outing compressed into two and a half hours. You get a change from Alicante’s city sights without committing a full day to the trip. For a couple or a small group, that balance can work well.

The booking pattern suggests that people often reserve around 10 days ahead on average. That is not a rule, but it is a good reason to avoid leaving the experience until the last moment if your Alicante dates are fixed.

Who will enjoy this winery visit most

I would recommend the tour to you if you want several things at once:

• A historic winery rather than a modern tasting room
• A short outing from Alicante
• A private car instead of a bus
• A basic introduction to local wines
• A small group limited to four people
• An explanation of organic farming and production
• A tasting that includes both white and red wine

It also suits mixed-interest groups. One person can focus on architecture and estate history while another pays closer attention to the wines. Because the visit covers the house, vineyards, production, and tasting, you do not need to be a wine expert to find a reason to go.

I would hesitate if your priority is a serious wine education. The standard experience does not promise advanced tasting instruction, rare vintages, or a large selection of bottles. A dedicated wine enthusiast may prefer the separate aged premium tasting offered by the winery.

It may also feel too short if you want a slow country lunch or a long afternoon among the vines. The listed duration is about two and a half hours, and the winery portion is about an hour and a half. This is a compact introduction, not a full day in Alicante’s wine country.

Small-group comfort and guide support

A maximum of four participants is a useful limit. It means the car will not feel like a shuttle, and you should have a better chance to ask questions during the estate tour and tasting.

The transport is specifically by private car, not bus. That distinction matters more than it may first appear. A car gives the outing a quieter feel and removes the need to coordinate with a large group.

English, Spanish, and Russian are available for the in-person guiding. Confirmation is provided at booking, and most people can take part. The available details do not describe special accessibility arrangements, so contact Alicante Getaway directly if you need specific support.

Tips and extra expenses are not included. The tasting and listed snacks are covered, but you should not assume that additional food, bottles, or other purchases are part of the price.

Cancellation and booking details

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded, and changes within that same period are not accepted.

The cut-off follows local time. The experience also requires a minimum number of participants. If the provider cancels because that minimum is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

These terms are fairly flexible for a short tour, but I would still wait until your Alicante plans are firm before booking. The small group limit is an advantage, yet it also means availability may be tighter than on a large bus excursion.

Should you book the 1707 winery tour?

Book it if you want a small, convenient introduction to Alicante wine with a strong sense of place. The historic workhouse, the Marquises of La Romana connection, the organic farming explanation, and the private ride give the outing more substance than a simple tasting at a city bar.

Go with realistic expectations. The wines are traditional local examples, not necessarily bottles aimed at experts. The Sauvignon Blanc may be the highlight for some palates, while the historic setting and personal transport may matter more than the wine itself.

For couples, small groups, and visitors who want a short change of pace from Alicante, I think the experience offers fair value. For serious wine connoisseurs, choose the winery’s aged premium tasting if available, or spend your budget on a more advanced wine program.

FAQ

Where does the winery visit take place?

The winery visit takes place in Novelda, near Alicante, Spain.

How long does the experience last?

The total experience lasts approximately two hours and 30 minutes. About one hour and 30 minutes is spent at the winery.

How many wines are included?

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

What food is served with the wine?

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

Is transportation included?

Yes. Private transportation is included, using a private car rather than a bus.

How many people can join the tour?

The experience has a maximum of four participants.

Which languages are available?

The in-person guide is available in English, Spanish, and Russian.

Who provides the experience?

The experience is provided by Alicante Getaway.

Is the winery historic?

Yes. The winery was founded in 1707, and the visit includes an old 18th-century workhouse connected with the Marquises of La Romana.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Less than 24 hours’ notice is not refundable.