"Wine tours, tastings and historic sites ...more than wine"
Valencian Cellar Tours
**Requena Winery 1/2 Day**
Come with me and discover the wines of Valencia´s "terroir" visiting a leading wine estate.
D.O Utiel-Requena is the largest, highest (600-900m) & the furthest inland of the Valencian D.O´s possessing great growing conditions.
It´s the rising star of the Valencian wine regions with a reimage of autoctono varietes like Bobal, Merseguera and rare grapes like Tortosi or Tardana . Good vintages & talented vintners have brought the Utiel-Requena region into a new era. The main grape is the autoctono Bobal red variety.. somewhat abandoned here a long time ago, providing identity and signature wines of structure & also young, fresher styles. The many old Bobal bush vines en secano (without irrigation) give uniquness to the landscape...withstanding seasons ..seemingly immortal to the passing of time. You will also encounter dry herbal rosés, lively Cavas focusing on chardonney, rich whites tinged with subtle toast of new oak & red wines from noble grapes like Tempranillo, Garnacha, Syrah etc. complimenting Bobal as single variety or coupage.
These wines now compete with more well known Spanish names and often outshine their competition !
We start in the vines looking at the viticulture techniques, differences like hand vs machine harvesting etc. and concept of terroir. Then a fully guided visit of the winery explaining how they make their wines and Cava (the Spanish Champan) ....more of a mini 101 wine education with interesting facts from grape to bottle .
We explain each stage from grape selection, destemming or not, fermentation & the various techniques of making the wines. You will learn more about barrel aging and perhaps try a barrel sample. We then move to the Cava cellar & provide real insight into the techniques and may be lucky enough to witness the degorge and final corking .
You then have the pleasure of tasting a selection of the estate´s Premium wines & Cava´s complimented with local cheese, charcouteria and also taste the estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Wines may be purchased at excellent prices directly from cellar. *Although we have just outlined the visit here it is not a typical wine tour and I believe this is a unique wine experience....even for a seasoned wine buff.
I also offer a 2nd bodega visit with historic Cave & 5 tastings/maridaje as 3/4 Day, pls enquire if interested.
Taking a panoramic scenic drive through wine countryside we make a short trip to Requena historic town with a stop at a local artisan shop (cured sausages, honey,pottery etc). Requena has it´s own DOP for embutido with unique recipes like "chorizo marinated in Cava" or "salchichon & walnuts"... local delicatessen at great prices. I confess it´s one of my favourite tapas with a glass of Cava!
Utiel-Requena with almost 40,000 hectares in vines is 2nd
largest producer of wine in Spain. Requena is located 70km from Valencia city.
Well connected by autovia it´s a journey of just under an hour from Valencia.
We offer trips for small groups from Valencia. Tours are guided by myself Toni & the winery in English, so you are assured of a good understanding of wine & historical knowledge of the region.
Requena is a town rich in history and culture with a tradition of winemaking dating from Phoenician times.
The gastronomy is famous for strong, hearty dishes & its artisan cured sausages, largely prepared by hand using natural ingredients. Amongst the popular fiestas praising these products, the "Fiesta de la Vendimia" & the "Feria del Embutido" (Sausage Fair) are important social events for local Valencians
Prices: From Euro 89 p/p variable with number people * (Discount large groups)
Itinerary:
- Pickup at hotel by Mercedes in Valencia 0900hrs (possible pm visit 1200hrs by arrangement).
- Requena fully guided organic winery,vineyards visit & premium tastings/maridaje local cheese & charcouteria snacks.
-Short visit to historic Requena with stop at artisan cured sausage/local produce shop & Moors cave subject subject opening times.
- Return to Valencia for arrival 1430** (Valencian Lunchtime- lunch not included).
- Duration: 4.5 -5 hours.
**We also offer a 3/4 Day visit inc. 2 vineyards, Wine/Olive oil tastings, maridaje tapas 0845-1530hrs
Please ask for availability and tour options/prices.
+34 617 969 975 Email: info@valenciancellars.com