"Wine tours, tastings and historic sites ...more than wine"
Valencian Cellar Tours
** Requena Wineries Full Day Tour **
Enjoy a fantastic day of wine tasting & discover the artisan wines of the "Old World".
Heading west out of Valencia city we arrive at Requena town. Lying 70km from the mediterranean it´s wine territory "par exellence" whose innovative vineyard estates produce medal-winning wines both nationally & internationally. The thriving market for Spanish wines has led to a tremendous lift in the quality of sleepy appellations like Utiel-Requena where winemaking is the main source of income. Wine has been made in this area since the Phoenicians and we may visit the 10thC Caves excavated by the Moors, later used by the Christians, that still contain original large clay amphora. (foto below)
The area nowadays boasts a range of stunning reds, mineral & exotic fruit laden dry whites, refreshing dry rosados & higher end creamy Cava based on chardonney. So much has changed in quality even in the last few years it´s remarkable !
We visit two award winning bodegas that produce some of the finest Cava, Crianza & Reserva style wines of the D.O Utiel-Requena: the area also encompassing estates pertaining to the category DO Pago for select Cru vineyards. It's a full day trip inc. 3 course rich Requenense lunch with local game, carne & fish dishes accompanied by local Viñas Viejas (old vine) Bobal wines!
**Also available is a Requena Full Day 3 winery option starting earlier at 0845hrs with many additional wines tasted. Pls. enquire if interested
An itinerary overview - "Commence the visit in the vineyard with a little history about the winery & insight into vine growing..we talk about the different grape varieties on the estate & if near harvest time you will be able to compare different grapes .. we often get a chance to sample from barrel with the enologist! You will learn more about the wine making process, the harvest, fermentation tonels etc .. moving on to the Barrel Hall with the cedary-vanilla bouquet of wines aging in French & American oak casks.
Step down to the cool cellars of Cava, Spain´s only traditional method sparkling Denominacion de Origin ... so what makes the tiny bubbles & what´s the difference Cava vs Champagne or Prosecco? We tell you the secrets and explain how they make Cava! You then have pleasure in tasting the estate´s premium wines & Cava with maridaje of charcouteria/cheese & award winning Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil. By now it will be almost lunchtime, so we visit historic Requena town with a walkabout to view it´s churches, old plaza .. stopping for a 3 course lunch with small producers wine, café & liquer. A Moors cave visit may also be possible subject to opening times.
After lunch we visit our afternoon Organic vineyard with different techniques & wine making philosophy offering distinct wines from their terroir. A fully guided visit with some quirky noval ideas and guided tastings of their best wines & Cava. Later we make our way back to Valencia arriving 1830-1900hrs approx. or earlier on request.
Visitors have the opportunity to purchase wine & other local artisan gifts such as Extra Virgin Olive Oil directly from cellars!
Rich in history and culture Requena has a tradition in winemaking dating from the Phoenicians, perfected by the Romans & later the Moors/Christians.
The gastronomy is based on strong, robust fare & famous for its artisan cured sausages which of course you will taste!
Wineries here use traditional methods of production with the lastest technology & a modern "toque" to create award winning wines.
Many of the wines are still fairly unknown outside Spain but Requena is gaining stature, two Cava Bruts selected as "Best Cava in Spain" already in the Madrid Enoforum and a string of gold medals throughout Europe and the USA.. not to mention the many recent accolades from Robert Parker´s guru Luis Gutiérrez.
Price : - From Euro 189 p/p variable no. pers.
If we run a tour with over 2 pers. you benefit from a lower rate. Discount for larger groups.
(Inc.3 cse quality lunch & DO Utiel-Requena old vine wine, Requena visit,guided vineyard/visits & prem.tastings)
Itinerary: - Pickup hotel in Valencia 0930hrs or 0845hrs** for 3 winery Full Day
- a.m. winery/wineries** guided visits, premium tastings/maridaje/olive oil
- Short historic walk La Vila, 14thC Churches,Castle,Court Spanish Inquisition etc..
- Quality lunch in Requena 3 course, Utiel-Requena wine,min.water,cafe
- Afternoon vineyard/winery visit, premium tastings, queso, embutido.
- Return arrival in Valencia city approx. 18.30-1930hrs. or sooner on request. 
Duration: - Full day 8-10hrs variable
+34 617 969 975 Email: info@valenciancellars.com
Photos below & wine humour .....
