A 1707 winery tour is a rare kind of history lesson. You’ll be picked up in Alicante, driven about 30 minutes to the countryside, then guided through an estate tied to the Marquis of La Romana. I especially like the production-room walkthrough (fermentation, barrels, bottling) and the fact that the tasting comes with clear explanations, not just a pour-and-go vibe. One thing to consider: it’s a short 2.5 hours, so if you want a long, slow lunch-style day, you may feel a bit time-pressed.

This is set up for comfort and ease: a small group limited to 11 people, pickup at multiple Alicante-area hotels, and a private car transfer round-trip. The guided visit runs about 1.5 hours in the Novelda area, and you’ll finish at the restaurant with three wines plus snacks. Bring a camera for the vineyard views when the weather cooperates.

Key things I’d mark on your map

• 1707 winery + Marquis of La Romana connection makes the visit feel properly rooted in place
• Fermentation room, barrel room, and bottling area give you real process, not vague history
• Three wine tasting colors (white, rosé, red) with explanation helps you actually notice differences
• Small group size (max 11) keeps questions and pacing from turning into a rush
• Round-trip hotel transfer in a private car saves you the headache of getting there and back

Old Winery in Alicante: What Makes This Feel Worth Your Time

There are wine tastings, and then there are wine process tours. This one earns its place because you don’t just stand in a cute tasting room—you walk through the rooms where grapes become wine, then where wine gets packaged.

The setting matters too. You’re visiting an ancient estate tied to the Marquis of La Romana, and the tour is built around the winery’s long timeline, dating back to 1707. Even if you’re not a total wine nerd, that kind of age puts everything into context.

Getting There From Alicante: Transfer That Keeps It Relaxed

Pickup is designed around real hotel locations in Alicante province, including several city-and-sea options like Hotel Port Alicante City & Beach, Hotel Albahía, Meliá Alicante, and Travelodge Alicante Puerto. After you meet your car, you’ll ride for about 30 minutes while enjoying the Alicante surroundings.

That drive is more than logistics. It’s when you shift from city pace to countryside pace. You’ll arrive ready to look at vines and production equipment with fresh eyes, instead of arriving tired and rushing through the visit.

Small-group touring also changes the mood. With a cap of 11 participants, the guide can slow down when you ask a question—especially useful when they’re explaining the steps from organically-grown grapes to bottling.

Novelda Stop: Touring the Estate, Vineyards, and Old Winery Spaces

The core of the experience happens at the winery and farmhouse area—an estate from the 18th century that belonged to the Marquis of La Romana. You’ll get a guided visit to the vineyard and the estate spaces, then move through the production facilities.

The pacing here is important. The guided tour portion is about 1.5 hours, so you get enough time to understand the flow without feeling stuck. If you like learning by seeing, you’ll appreciate that the tour is structured by how wine is made, not by a random list of rooms.

If weather affects outdoor parts, don’t assume you’ll always walk through every exterior vineyard area. One review mentioned that rain limited the outside vineyard sightseeing, so if that matters to you, plan for an indoor-friendly experience and bring a camera, just in case you get a clear moment.

Inside the Winery: Fermentation Room, Barrels, and Bottling

This is the part I’d recommend to anyone who’s ever wondered what actually happens between grapes and a bottle.

You’ll visit three key production areas:

• Fermentation room: where the transformation process starts
• Barrel room: where aging and character shaping takes place
• Bottling area: where wine moves from vessel to packaged product

Seeing all three in one visit helps you connect the dots. It’s one thing to read about wine steps; it’s another to walk through spaces designed for each stage and hear the guide connect them.

You’ll also learn the history and winemaking process from organically-grown grapes to bottling. That matters because it gives your tasting context. When the guide explains what the grapes went through (and how the process changes the final wine), you’re not just guessing what you like—you understand what you’re tasting.

Vineyard-to-Bottle Wine Tasting: White, Rosé, Red With Real Guidance

The highlight is the tasting in the restaurant, where you’ll try three wines: white, rosé, and red. Unlike tastings that feel like a sales pitch, this one includes a detailed explanation of each wine, which helps you learn what you’re picking up.

You’ll also be given small extras alongside the wines: breadsticks, olives, and a tapa. That’s a practical detail. It keeps the tasting from feeling like drinking straight, and it makes it easier to enjoy all three types without getting overwhelmed too early.

What I like about the tasting setup is that it’s built into the tour rhythm. You don’t head off on your own after the winery visit. You finish where the guide can tie production choices to flavors, then you head back while you still remember what you learned.

If you’re buying bottles, there is a shop on-site where you can purchase wines and related items like oils and vineyard merchandise. The key word is optional: you can browse without pressure if you take your time.

The Guide-Driver Factor: Smooth Timing and Extra Stops

This activity uses a live tour guide in English and Spanish, plus the same car service for pickup and drop-off. In real life, that combination can make or break a short tour like this one.

On these tours, the guide-driver experience can be especially strong. Some groups have been guided by people named Stas or Yevgen, and the consistent theme in the experience is personable, professional guidance. One bonus perk that showed up in multiple accounts: added viewpoints like nearby churches and a castle during the ride.

That’s not guaranteed as part of every exact itinerary, but it’s a useful expectation. If your driver has local storytelling and time allows, you may get extra sight value on the way back.

Lunch at the Restaurant: How the Timing Works

Lunch is not automatically included. You can order lunch in advance via the private tour option, or you might be able to order during a winery visit if there’s availability in the restaurant.

There’s also a timing condition. If you do lunch on-site, your driver has to agree on a waiting time, and it can’t interfere with other tours. So if you’re the type who wants a long sit-down lunch, consider pre-arranging it.

If you don’t add lunch, you still get light bites (breadsticks, olives, tapa) with the tasting. That’s usually enough to feel satisfied during the 2.5-hour window, especially if you plan a simple meal later.

Price and Value: Why the Inclusions Matter More Than the Total

Because there’s no listed price here, I’ll focus on value logic.

You’re paying for three things that can be hard to DIY:

1. Round-trip transfer in a private car from specific Alicante-area hotels
2. A guided walk through the winery and production spaces
3. A structured tasting of three wines with snacks

If you’ve tried to arrange wine tastings in Spain independently, you know how often the hard part isn’t the winery—it’s getting there and back without losing most of your day. Here, the transfer is built in, and the tour length is tight enough to fit into a morning or early afternoon plan.

The other value lever is the small group cap of 11. That keeps the experience from turning into a crowd event, which is important when the guide is explaining the wine choices and process step-by-step.

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Not Love It)

This tour fits best if you:

• Want a short, guided winery experience without transportation stress
• Like process-based tours: how fermentation, barrels, and bottling work
• Enjoy tasting wines with explanation, not just a quick pour

You might consider another option if you:

• Need wheelchair accessibility (this one is not suitable for wheelchair users)
• Want a full-day countryside outing with a long outdoor vineyard walk
• Expect a heavy, multi-course lunch experience as part of the price

For most people, it’s a very workable intro to the Alicante wine world—especially if you’re only in town for a day or two.

Practical Tips for Your 2.5 Hours

First, wear comfortable shoes. Even if most time is inside, you’ll walk through production areas and estate spaces.

Second, bring your camera. You’re in a vineyard setting with estate buildings and countryside views that are worth capturing, and one rainy day won’t cancel the whole visual payoff.

Third, keep expectations aligned with the rules. Smoking is not allowed in the vehicle, and food is not allowed in the vehicle. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, so follow the guide’s lead and treat the included tasting as the only alcohol focus.

Finally, ask questions during the tasting. The value is in the explanations tied to what you saw in fermentation, barrels, and bottling. If you’re curious about what makes white vs rosé vs red different here, this is when to ask.

Should You Book the Alicante Old Winery Tour?

I think you should book if you want a compact, high-signal winery visit with real production scenes and a guided tasting of three wines. The combination of 1707 history, a process-focused tour of fermentation/barrels/bottling, and the structured restaurant tasting makes this feel like more than a casual stop.

Skip it only if you’re searching for a long outdoor day with lots of free time, or if accessibility needs make a non-wheelchair-friendly tour a deal-breaker. If you’re flexible and ready for a well-paced 2.5 hours, this is a strong way to experience wine country around Alicante without wasting time on logistics.

FAQ

How long is the Alicante old winery tour?

The experience runs for about 2.5 hours in total, with the guided visit and tasting portion taking around 1.5 hours.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Round-trip private transfer is included, with pickup and drop-off at multiple hotel options in the Alicante area.

Where does the tour take place?

The tour includes a stop in the Novelda area for the guided winery visit and wine tasting.

What will I see during the guided visit?

You’ll visit the vineyard and estate areas, plus the winery production spaces including a fermentation room, barrel room, and bottling area.

How many wines do I taste, and what types are included?

The tasting includes three different wines: white, rosé, and red.

Are snacks included with the tasting?

Yes. Breadsticks, olives, and a tapa are included with the tasting.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included by default. You may be able to order lunch in advance via the private tour option, or order during the visit if there’s availability and timing works with the driver.

What languages is the guide available in?

The live tour guide is available in English and Spanish.

Is this tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. It is not suitable for wheelchair users.

What’s the cancellation and booking flexibility?

There is free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later.

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