D.O Valencia Winery & Xàtiva Castle/ Borja legacy - Full day
A worthy tour that is nowadays rarely reserved by my clients ! Wine & History .
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 old bush vine Mourvèdre aka Monastrell, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon & Syrah but also offering fresh dry white wines with more recent plantings. Voignier, Malvasia , Muscat Blanc á Petits Grains, Pedro Ximénez & recovery of almost extinct varieties like Verdil or Arco all perform well here in cooler zones. Modern techniques & restrained use of oak fermentation add weight, richness & complexity to these wines without overpowering 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 2022.
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, has voluptuous scents of ripe black fruits infused with toast & vanilla of oak casks, this is the new face of the Med.
This trip encounters local rare varieties from recovered vineyards , chateaux/masias amidst impressive pine clad ravines and walking in the footsteps of Gen. Hannibal & the Borja´s Xàtiva !
DO Valencia Winery visit
First upon arriving in the valley we stop at the tranquil Fontanares for a morning coffee & pastry, maybe try a carajillo.. flambé expresso with shot of brandy.
Our visit is to an organic winery Rafa Cambra, the award winning winemaker with empasis on natural methods, organic/ biodynamic and features unique wines from recovered local varieties like Forcallat making an interesting tasting. Robert Parker has rated his wines highly ! He will explain the history of the bodega & historic masia 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 winery; hand harvesting of the grapes; fermentation process; the art of ageing the wines in terracotta, latest new amphorae, large oak fudres & various oak barrel types. Winemakers often choose modern critique not conforming to Crianza/Rsva nomenclature with aging depending on each harvest.
The tasting is complimented with a wonderful selection of local produce either in the garden or in the old masia homestead ..depending on weather.
We may even taste the aging wines directly from barrels with winemaker .
Crossing the countryside studded by palacial masias, sun flowers, almond & olive trees we follow the “Via Agusta” Roman road to Xàtiva.
I offer an additional bonus tasting of quality local wines at the Templar´s “Montesa Castle”….fotos on my Almansa tour page.
Historic city tour, palaces, the Borjas, museum´s & masia vineyard wine tasting
Xàtiva visit
Above Xàtiva run the ruins of a once grand castle of 30 towers. Home to General Hanibal in 218BC it remains an impressive fortification. Xàtiva, capital of the Costera district, is an elegant market town with wide tree lined avenues & shady cafes and for me has always been a place I loved to visit..life feels great here! The old walled town still retains an “old world charm” with its many pretty squares, fountains, churches and cobbled streets. Hailing two 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….very impressive .
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. Walking is not compulsory folks ..it´s your call!
Lunch- We have a table reserved in a “award winning“ restaurant in Xàtiva where you will be welcomed by chef.
Creative mediterranean cuisine accompanied with a select DO Valencia 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.
Prices
Itinerary
- Pickup hotel in Valencia City 08:45hrs.
- Morning Coffee, guided vineyard visit with tasting of 5-6 unique dry organic wines plus maridaje.
- Cathedral interior possible subject to timings... please ask if interested.
- Panoramic vineyard drive to Xàtiva with Opt. wine tasting local DO wines at Templar´s "Montesa Castle" al fresco!
- Xàtiva medieval city walk, 4 cse Gourmet Lunch/DO Valencia wine 90+pts, 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
Please ask for availability & tour options/prices as can be tailor made for you.