"Wine tours, tastings and historic sites ...more than wine"
Valencian Cellar Tours
**DO Valencia - Winery & Xàtiva City/Castle - Full day**
The Clariano in the south of the province is part of D.O Valencia largely focusing around the town of Fontanars dels Alforins; Vastly dominated by black varieties such as the old bush vine Mourvèdre aka Monastrell, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon & Syrah but also offering fresh dry white wines with more recent plantings. Voignier, Sauv. Blanc, Muscat Blanc á Petits Grains, Pedro Ximénez & the recovery of almost extinct varieties like Verdil or Arco all perform well here in cooler zones. Modern techniques and restrained use of oak fermentation add weight, richness and complexity to these wines without overpowering the terroir and varietal indentity.
We visit the area known as "La Toscana" in the Vall d´Albaida, a hidden valley with gently rolling hills with historic stone houses amidst vines & almonds. The town of Fontanars has an ancestral art of winemaking dating before the Moors whose low number of estates produce distinctive outstanding wines with an emphasis on organic winemaking. Vinum magazine chose a vintage red from a Fontanars estate as one of the top 10 organic wines in Europe & Robert Parkers Luis Gutiérrez awarded many wines 90+ points in 2019.
In the past one mainly thought of Valencian wines as the sweet white Moscatel variety but as one wine critic wrote,
" Heres another organic red to show how much things have changed in a short time . It is ambitious, richly flavoured and has voluptuous scents of ripe black fruits infused with the toast & vanilla of oak casks, this is the new face of the Med."
This trip offers much more than wine with great scenery and a chance to see Valencia´s other enchanting historic city.
DO Valencia Winery visit
First upon arriving in the valley we stop at Fontanares for a morning coffee, maybe try a carajillo....the local´s typical morning, flambé expresso with shot of brandy, lemon & floating coffee beans and pastry.
Our visit is to a boutique organic winery where the bodeguero will explain the history of the bodega & family house and their non-interventionist approach to winemaking. Walking through the vines you find out about the varieties grown and their curious often low-tech techniques. We then visit the winery; hand harvesting of the grapes; the fermentation process; the art of againg the wines in terracota, latest new amphorae, large oak fudres and of course various oak barrel types. Winemakers choose modern critique not conforming to Crianza/Rsva nomenclature with wines aging depending on each harvest. Many new wines from old varieties is much in fashion and makes an interesting taste journey in 2023.
We may taste the aging wines directly from the barrels or tanks if just after harvest...
Enjoy the wines in the historic house or in the garden overlooking the vines ....
Xàtiva visit
Above Xàtiva run the ruins of a once grand castle of 30 towers. Home to General Hanibal i
n 218BC it remains an impressive fortification. Xàtiva, capital of the Costera district, is an elegant market town with wide tree lined avenues & shady cafes. The old walled town still retains an "old world charm" with its many pretty squares, fountains, churches and cobbled streets. Hailing 2 popes & the Borja history Xàtiva has played a significant role in the history of the church.
It was declared Historico-Artistico ensemble in 1982 due to the wealth of historic buildings & emblematic monuments.
The most notable include; the Castle with its 30 towers & 4 gates, Collegiate de Santa Maria XIV- former cathedral rebuilt in renaissance style, the Hospital Mayor De Pobres XV-XVI, Ermitas de San 
Felix XIII, San José XVIII & Santa Ana XVI, the church of San Pedro XVII & San Francisco XIV, Gothic Fountain de Plaza de la Trinidad, La Puerta Gótica de los Trinitarios XIII, house of Pope Alejandro XVI & numerous palaces of noblemen.
On our visit to Xàtiva you have a chance to explore the old town, walking the historic streets before a well deserved lunch.
Lunch. We have a table reserved in a "award winning" restaurant in Xàtiva where you will be welcomed by chef on arrival.
It´s a 4 cse meal of creative mediterranean cuisine accompanied with quality wine.
Relax with a coffee or brandy afterwards before the Castle visit.
We then make our way up to the castle, but don´t worry about the hundreds of steps, as we drive to the main gate via a winding road. You can explore the castle and admire the 360 degree valley views. A charming café also serves refreshments on the terrace of the castle.
We then finally return arriving in Valencia city 1830hrs- 1900hrs earlier on request.
Price: From Euro225 p/p variable with number people. (Castle closed Mondays)
(Inc.4cse gourmet lunch (90+pt wine,cerveza,liquer) morning cafe/pastries,winery tour & tastings,Museum´s,Castle admission)
Itinerary:
- Pickup hotel in Valencia City 0845hrs.
- Morning Coffee, guided boutique vineyard visit with tasting of min. 5 unique organic wines plus maridaje.
- Cathedral interior possible subject to timings..please ask if interested
- Panoramic vineyard drive to Xàtiva.
- Xàtiva medieval city walk, 4 cse Gourmet Lunch/quality wine,cerveza, liquer at award winning restaurant,
- Museum visits, Xàtiva Castle visit .
- Return arrival in Valencia city approx. 1830hrs or earlier on request .
Duration: Full day 8-9hrs
+ 34 617 969 975 Email: info@valenciancellars.com
