"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 collecting more than 250 international awards in 2019. Good vintages & talented vintners have brought Utiel-Requena 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 & young, fresher styles.
The many old Bobal bush vines en secano (without irrigation) give uniqueness to the landscape: withstanding seasons..seemingly immortal to the passing of time. You will also encounter dry herbal rosé, lively Cava 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 a 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 wine 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 whole bunchs, fermentation & the various techniques of making the wines.You will learn more about barrel aging and perhaps try a barrel sample. Down to the Cava cellar & provide a real insight into the techniques...you may be lucky to witness degorge and final corking take place.
Now time to taste a selection of the estate´s wines & Cava complimented with local cheese, charcouteria and also taste the estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Wines may be purchased at fair 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.
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 own 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 in air-con comfortable transport..
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 no.persons
Itinerary:
- Pickup at hotel by Mercedes in Valencia 0915hrs (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 tapa 0845-1530hrs
Please ask for availability and tour options/prices.
+34 617 969 975 Email: info@valenciancellars.com