Castilla wine, horses & Almansa Castle
Tierra de Castilla vineyards by horse carriage
This Castilla-La Mancha wine tour visits two vineyards pertaining to Castilla & Almansa. A land of extreme contrast between intense hot summers, dry for most of the year & long cold winters. The vineyards are at 700-1000m altitute on sandy limestone soil, stony on the surface but capable of holding what little water it receives. The featured grapes are Monastrell (aka Mourvedre), Tempranillo/Cencibel & Garnacha Tintorera with many old bush vines producing exceptional wines. Cab Sauv, Syrah, Merlot & Petit Verdot are well suited to the terrain adding shades of spice & black fruit.
Prestigious estate with equestrian experience in Castilla
Bordering Jumilla we visit Finca Los Aljibes; a grand noble house built in Manchego style surrounded by vineyards and home to the Yegua stables. Here they breed pure Spanish horses at an altitude of almost 1000m which developes stronger horses for any discipline. The large property of 200hct provides scrubland to hare, rabbit & red partridge with crops of olives & almonds. You will take a horse carriage ride through the vineyards pulled by two of the Yegua finest horses. Then walk the stately house, explore the cellars with restored artifacts, tour the meticulous winery with unique French Vats before tasting the wines with maridaje of the estate´s game charcouteria, cheese & olive oil !
State-of-the-art bodega on historic Castilla estate
Los Aljibes winery is located in the muncipality of Chinchilla de Montearagon; the 178hct of vineyards pertaining to Vino de la Tierra de Castilla. It is a bodega designed and focused to create wines of high expression, modern and funcional, integrated in a architectural building of high cultural value.
Soils are limy & sandy with little organic material nor depth. The arid continental climate and high altitude favor low production & lengthy maturation, affording unique attributes to the wines. Los Aljibes grows both traditional Spanish varieties (Tempranillo, Garnacha, G. Tintorera, Verdejo) & others that adapted well to the climate (Cab. Sauv., Cab Franc, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Sauv Blanc, Viognier & Chardonney). The range of grapes favours a higher complexity in the wine, bringing out the best features & gain utmost expression!
The winery uses auto-rotary maceration with malolactic & coupage in 10000L French oak vats & 5000L fudres. Aging in temp/humidity controlled cellars the wines have a quality stay in barrels of under 4yrs old.
Castilla-La Mancha Lunch
Leaving Los Alibes we visit Chinchilla de Montearagon: a traditional Manchego lunch & wine to taste the classic cuisine of La Mancha. Traditional fare and surroundings a la Don Quijote !
*Opt. Guia Michelin upgrade in Almansa supp. Euro35
The castle´s original XI construction was built by the Almohades, modified by Alfonso X in 1242 with XV actualization by Juan Pacheco, “Marques de Villena”, adding defensive towers & Torre de Homenaje. We visit the Castle and notable architecturally rich buildings such as the interior patio of the Casa de Los Condes de Cirat, La Lonja with loggia, Iglesia de Asunción, Convento Agustinas with a refreshment cafe stop.
**Optional – Afternoon visit an organic estate with restored Colonial XVIII Palacete house, old cellar-lagar, stables & workers houses. They produce red wines, olives, ex, virgin olive oil & almonds . Guided visit with tastings .
**Please enquire about 2nd winery itinerary as subject to availability.
On return to Valencia we may stop at at the Castillo de Montesa, famed by the Templars Order of Montesa. An exterior visit where you can appreciate the grand ramp & drawbridge across the rock crevice. We stop on your request!
A Unique Castilla-La Mancha wine tour itinerary with early 0830hrs pickup as you have much to see, taste & discover.
Castilla Wine Tour Prices
Castilla Wine Tour Itinerary
- Pickup Hotel Valencia 08:30hrs by Mercedes, café stop enroute.
- Arrive 1100hrs Los Aljibes, guided vineyard tour by Horse carriage, stately house, winery, stables, & tastings + maridaje estate products.
- Manchego Lunch & wine in Chinchilla de Montearagon *Opt . Guia Michelin upgrade Almansa Euro35 p/p .
- Historic visit to Almansa Castle, Casa de Los Condes de Cirat Patio, Iglesia de Asunción etc. La Lonja etc
- **Opt. afternoon Almansa Bodega & vineyard , XVIII Palacete house, tastings & olive oil + charcouteria. Pls enquire availabilty.
- Return to Valencia early evening.
- Optional Visit Castillo de Montesa (exterior) included on your request!
Please ask for Castilla wine tours availability and tour options/prices as can be tailor made for you.
