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

Novelda gives this outing a pleasant twist: you are not simply driven to a tasting room, but taken to a winery founded in 1707, a Gaudí-style church, and a medieval castle. The three-hour trip connects wine, architecture, and hilltop views in one compact visit.

I like the small maximum of 11 people, which makes it easier to ask questions, and I like the range of the tasting: one white, one rosé, and one red with simple snacks. Guides Yevgen and Stas are praised for safe driving, clear English, local information, and helpful stops. The main consideration is that the winery tasting can be brief, with small pours, and the red wine may be served chilled.

Key points at a glance

• A winery founded in 1707: Visit the old house, vineyard, winery, and production areas with a guided explanation of how the wine is made and aged.
• Three local wines: Taste a white, rosé, and red, served with breadsticks, olives, and a small tapa.
• Two worthwhile sights in Novelda: See Santa Magdalena Church, built in a Gaudí-inspired style, and the Castle of Mola, dating from the 12th century.
• A genuinely small group: The tour accepts no more than 11 people, so you have a better chance to speak with the guide.
• Strong guiding from Alicante: Yevgen is often praised for punctuality, driving, English, and extra information along the route. Stas also receives warm comments.
• A short, efficient outing: The tour starts at 10:30 a.m., lasts about three hours, and returns to the meeting point.

Why Novelda makes a good wine outing from Alicante

If you have already seen Alicante’s old quarter and waterfront, Novelda gives you a quick look at a different side of the province. The town combines wine production with unusual architecture and a castle setting, so the day does not rest on tasting alone.

The tour is built around one main stop, but the visit includes several parts: a guided look at the vineyard, the old house, winery, and production facilities, followed by the church and castle in the Novelda area. That mix matters. You get a sense of place before sitting down with a glass.

I especially like the way the tour uses the drive as part of the outing. Guides Yevgen and Stas are described as giving information about the surrounding area and pointing out landmarks along the way. You are not left to find the church or castle on your own, and the air-conditioned vehicle makes the transfer easier in warm weather.

The tour begins at 10:30 a.m. and lasts about three hours. That timing leaves much of the afternoon free. It works well if you want an outing beyond Alicante but do not want to give up a full day.

The 1707 winery and its old-world setting

The winery is the heart of the visit. Founded in 1707, it offers more character than a modern tasting counter. You see the old house and production facilities, then learn how the wine is processed and aged.

The exact depth of the winery talk may depend on the person leading that portion. Some visitors found the visit welcoming and informative, while one felt the winery guide moved too quickly and gave too little time for questions about the wines. I would keep your expectations practical: this is a compact introduction to a historic winery, not a long specialist seminar.

The old building is part of the appeal. Instead of tasting in an anonymous room, you are connected to a working place with a long local story. The tour also includes the vineyard, so you can link the finished drink in your glass with the place where the process begins.

This is useful for first-time wine visitors. You do not need to know much about Spanish wine before arriving. The guide explains the production process, and the three styles give you an easy way to compare white, rosé, and red.

Three wines, modest pours, and simple snacks

The tasting includes three wines:

• White
• Rosé
• Red

Breadsticks, olives, and a small tapa accompany the tasting. This is enough to make the stop feel like a light food-and-wine break, but it is not lunch. If you arrive hungry, plan accordingly.

The portions may be small, with one comment noting that only a very small glass of each wine was served. That can be a drawback if you are booking mainly for a generous tasting. On the other hand, the smaller pours suit a morning activity and keep the focus on sampling rather than drinking.

The wines are described as tasty, with particular enjoyment of the red. One detail is worth knowing: the red was served cold on one visit. That may surprise you if you expect red wine at room temperature. It is not necessarily a problem, but serious wine enthusiasts may want to ask about serving temperature and tasting notes.

I would treat the tasting as an introduction to local wines, not as a formal wine course. You will sample three types, hear about production, and have the chance to ask questions. The small group improves that chance, especially if the winery staff has time to linger.

Santa Magdalena Church and its Gaudí-style design

Santa Magdalena Church is the architectural surprise of the outing. Its design is described as being in Gaudí’s style, giving you an unusual sight outside the better-known architectural centers of Spain.

The church adds visual interest to a day that could otherwise be entirely about wine. You get a change of pace, and the stop gives the guide another opportunity to explain the area. Several accounts praise the church’s beauty and the views around it.

Allow yourself time to look rather than treating it as a quick photo stop. The church is one of the places where the outing feels distinctly local. You are seeing a Novelda landmark that many visitors based only in Alicante might otherwise miss.

The tour data does not specify how much time is spent inside the church or whether every part is open on every departure. Weather and local access can affect the visit. Still, the church is included in the route, and the guide can provide context as you explore.

The Castle of Mola and views over Novelda

The Castle of Mola dates from the 12th century and adds a medieval layer to the day. Its position provides the kind of open views that make the short trip from Alicante feel worthwhile.

The castle is not just an extra photo stop. Paired with the church, it helps you understand Novelda as more than a wine-producing town. The route moves from religious architecture to medieval defenses, then back to the winery and its agricultural setting.

Guides have sometimes allowed extra time at the castle and church, and Yevgen has even dropped people at another castle for further exploring. That sort of flexibility is a pleasant bonus, but you should not count on an unlisted detour every time. The advertised route includes the Castle of Mola and the Gaudí-style church.

Wear practical shoes if you want to make the most of the outdoor stops. The supplied details do not specify walking distances or terrain, so I would not plan this as a demanding hike. Still, a castle and hilltop church are better enjoyed when you are comfortable walking around.

The guide can make the difference

This is a small-group tour, with a maximum of 11 people, but the quality of the day also depends on the guide. Yevgen is repeatedly praised for polite service, excellent English, safe driving, and clear communication about pickup details. Stas is also described as a strong guide.

That matters because the guide handles more than transport. You rely on this person for information during the drive, explanations at the church and castle, and practical coordination between the sights and winery.

One particularly good sign is that Yevgen continued the outing even when only two people had booked. That suggests the tour can still operate as a personal experience rather than being treated as worthwhile only with a full group.

You should also feel free to ask for local suggestions. The tour specifically presents the guide as someone who can offer tips for the rest of your time in Alicante. If you want advice on what to see next, ask while returning to the city.

Is $64.89 a fair price?

At $64.89 per person, the price covers an air-conditioned vehicle, guiding, entry-related costs, the winery visit, three wine samples, and snacks. It also combines several sights that would be awkward to arrange together without a car.

The value is strongest if you want convenience and variety. You are not paying only for three small glasses of wine. You are also paying for transport from Alicante, local explanation, the church, the castle, and access to the old winery and production areas.

The value is weaker if your only goal is a long tasting with generous pours. The tasting is limited to three wines, and the snacks are modest. A specialist wine lover may prefer a longer winery visit with more detailed discussion.

For most people, I would judge the price fair for a three-hour guided outing, especially because the group stays small. The tour gives you a lot of variety without committing an entire day or requiring a rental car.

Who should book this outing?

I would recommend it to you if you want to:

• See more of Alicante province without spending a full day away
• Combine wine with architecture and medieval sights
• Travel in a small group rather than on a large coach
• Ask a guide questions in English
• Enjoy a light tasting rather than a full meal
• Let someone else handle the driving
• Get local suggestions for the rest of your stay

It also suits couples, friends, and families interested in a mix of sights. One account specifically recommends it for families and groups. Most people can participate, according to the supplied information, but the practical demands of the church and castle stops are not described in detail.

I would think twice if you want a serious wine education, large tasting portions, or a long restaurant meal. Lunch is not included. It can be ordered in advance with a table reservation in certain private-tour arrangements, or during the winery visit if a waiting time has been agreed with the driver and there are no later tours to reach.

Timing, weather, and what to expect

The tour starts at 10:30 a.m. and finishes back at the meeting point after roughly three hours. Confirmation is sent at booking, and the activity is offered in English with a mobile ticket.

The group limit is 11 people. That is small enough for conversation but not necessarily a private tour. If you want a fully private outing, ask about the private option and the lunch arrangements before booking.

Good weather is required. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded or accepted under the stated policy.

A practical plan is to eat a light breakfast before departure. The breadsticks, olives, and tapa are welcome with the wine, but they should not be treated as lunch.

My call: a smart half-day outing for variety

I would book this tour if you want a compact trip that joins wine, unusual architecture, and castle views. The most praised parts are the courteous guiding, smooth driving, small group, and the chance to see Santa Magdalena Church and the Castle of Mola along with the winery.

The main limits are clear: the tasting may be short, the pours may be small, and the winery explanation may not be equally detailed every time. If those points do not trouble you, $64.89 buys a useful and varied three-hour escape from Alicante.

Choose it for the full combination, not just the wine. The best reason to go is that Novelda gives you three different experiences in one morning, with a guide to connect them.

FAQ

Where does the tour take place?

The tour visits Novelda, near Alicante, including an old winery, Santa Magdalena Church, and the Castle of Mola.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 10:30 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

It lasts approximately three hours and ends back at the meeting point.

How many wines are included?

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

Are snacks included?

Yes. Breadsticks, olives, and a small tapa are included with the tasting.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. It may be ordered in advance with a table reservation for a private tour, or during the winery visit if an agreed waiting time is possible.

What is the maximum group size?

The activity accepts a maximum of 11 people.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you are offered a different date or a full refund.