Alicante: Old Winery with Tastings & Gaudí’s style of Church

Novelda gives this Alicante day outing its appeal: you get an old winery founded in 1707, then move on to Santa Magdalena Church and the Castle of Mola. It is a compact way to see a less familiar part of the province without renting a car or planning several separate stops.

I like the small maximum group of 11 and the chance to ask questions during the drive and visits. I also like the mix of wine, architecture, views, and local history. The main thing to keep in mind is that the wine tasting pours can be quite small, and the winery guide may move quickly.

I also appreciate the personal touch from guides such as Yevgen and Stas, who have helped with extra sightseeing and practical advice. This is not a full-day wine route with several estates. It is a short, well-rounded excursion for people who want one winery, three wines, and two striking Novelda sights.

Key points at a glance

• A winery with roots in 1707: See the old house, vineyard, production areas, and wine-making facilities.
• Three local wines included: Taste one white, one rosé, and one red with breadsticks, olives, and a small tapa.
• Novelda’s unusual architecture: Visit Santa Magdalena Church, built in a style linked to Gaudí.
• Medieval views at Castle of Mola: Add a 12th-century castle to the wine outing.
• Small-group transport: Ride in an air-conditioned vehicle with no more than 11 people.
• A useful Alicante side trip: The roughly three-hour schedule gives you a change of scene without taking a whole day.

Why Novelda makes a good Alicante side trip

Alicante is easy to enjoy from its beaches, old center, and hilltop castle, but the surrounding province offers a different feel. Novelda takes you inland to a town connected with wine, farming, religious architecture, and a medieval fortress.

That contrast is the point of this experience. You are not simply sitting in a tasting room. You are seeing a working wine area, an unusual church, and a castle with wide views, all in one morning or early afternoon outing.

The tour begins at 10:30 a.m. and lasts about three hours. That timing matters. You can have breakfast first, spend the afternoon back in Alicante, and still fit in another activity. If you want a slow winery lunch or several tastings, this schedule will feel brief. If you want a focused introduction to Novelda, it works well.

The small group also changes the mood. With up to 11 people, you have a better chance to speak with the guide than you would on a large coach trip. Yevgen has been praised for clear English, safe driving, and keeping the trip going even when only two people had booked. That flexibility is useful, especially on a quieter date.

The drive from Alicante to Novelda

Transport is by air-conditioned vehicle, with the activity returning to its meeting point at the end. The drive is more than a transfer because the guide can point out landmarks and explain the area along the way.

Yevgen, in particular, has been praised for keeping people informed about pickup details and the route. He has also offered suggestions for the rest of a visitor’s stay in Alicante. That kind of local guidance is one of the better reasons to choose a small tour instead of arranging a taxi and winery visit on your own.

You should still think of the outing as a guided excursion, not a private custom tour. The listed group limit is 11, but your exact experience depends on the day’s bookings. A small group can make the ride more social and give you room for questions. It does not guarantee that every stop will run at your preferred pace.

The activity is offered in English. Confirmation arrives when you book, and a mobile ticket is accepted, which keeps the meeting process simple.

Inside a winery founded in 1707

The winery is the heart of the outing. Its age gives the visit a sense of place that a modern tasting room cannot easily copy. You see the vineyard, old house, winery, and production facilities, while a professional guide explains the wine-making process and the property’s past.

The value here is the combination of history and production. You are not only handed a glass and told whether it tastes fruity or dry. You get a look at how the wine is made and aged, then taste several examples in the same setting.

The three included wines are a white, rosé, and red. Breadsticks, olives, and a small tapa accompany the tasting. These are modest snacks, not a replacement for lunch, but they help settle the wine and make the stop feel more complete.

I would set your expectations carefully about the tasting itself. Several people have found the wine enjoyable and the winery visit informative, but one specific issue came up: only one very small glass of each wine may be served. That is enough to compare the wines, but not enough for a long, leisurely tasting.

Another point deserves attention. On one visit, the red wine was served cold. That may not suit your preference, especially if you care about serving temperature. The winery guide also seemed rushed on that occasion, leaving less time for questions about the individual wines. The driving guide may be able to add context, but the depth of the wine presentation can vary.

For most people, the tasting works best as an introduction. You sample three styles, enjoy simple local snacks, and learn how the winery operates. You should not book it expecting a large lunch, generous pours, or a formal sommelier class.

Santa Magdalena Church and its Gaudí-style design

The church near Novelda is one of the outing’s most unusual stops. Santa Magdalena Church is built in a style inspired by Gaudí, with a decorative look that feels far removed from the standard church interiors you see in many Spanish towns.

The visit adds visual variety after the winery. Wine production can be practical and earthy, while the church gives you ornament, shape, and a strong architectural focal point. The guide can explain what you are seeing, and you have time to look around rather than simply passing it from the vehicle.

The church is also a good reason to choose this trip even if wine is not your main interest. A partner or friend who is more interested in architecture than tasting can still find a clear purpose here.

The supplied details do not promise a long guided interior tour or a fixed amount of time at the church. Your visit may be brief, especially if the group is keeping to the three-hour schedule. Still, it is an important part of what makes this outing broader than a standard winery transfer.

Several excursions have included the church as an extra stop alongside the main plan. Because it appears in the stated inclusions, you can treat it as part of the experience rather than something you must arrange separately.

Castle of Mola and the views from the hill

The Castle of Mola dates from the 12th century and gives the tour a medieval counterpoint to the church and winery. Its position provides broad views over the surrounding area, making it a worthwhile stop even if you are not focused on military history.

The castle is especially useful for breaking up the morning. After tasting wine and seeing production rooms, you get fresh air and a more open setting. Bring sensible footwear and be ready for some walking around the site, although the supplied information does not specify the exact walking distance or surface.

The guide’s role can make a difference here. Yevgen has allowed time for people to explore and has even dropped off a visitor at another castle afterward. That suggests a helpful attitude, but you should not assume every extra stop is guaranteed. Stick to the published plan when deciding how much time to set aside.

The castle and church also improve the value of the price. At $64.89 per person, the experience is more than a three-wine tasting. You are paying for transport from Alicante, guiding, admission fees, the winery visit, the church, and the castle. If you only want wine, you may find a simpler tasting cheaper. If you value a morning of sightseeing with the tasting included, the price is easier to justify.

How much you get for $64.89

The price is fair for a guided side trip that combines transport and several stops. You avoid arranging a vehicle to Novelda, finding the winery, and working out how to connect the church and castle. The air-conditioned ride is useful in warm weather, and all stated fees are included.

The strongest value comes from the range of the outing. You get:

• A professional winery visit
• Three wine samples
• Breadsticks, olives, and a small tapa
• Transport in an air-conditioned vehicle
• A guide in English
• Santa Magdalena Church
• Castle of Mola
• Return to the meeting point

Lunch is not included. It may be arranged in advance for a private tour with a table reservation, or during a winery visit if timing has been agreed with the driver and there are no later tours to serve. Do not count on a full meal unless you arrange it ahead of time.

Tips are also not included. You can decide what to give based on the service you receive, especially if your guide provides extra sightseeing help or spends time answering questions.

The rating is 4.9 from 37 reviews, with 100 percent recommending the experience. That is a strong result, and the praise is consistent around the drivers: punctuality, courtesy, safe driving, clear English, and useful information about the area. The less consistent part is the winery presentation, particularly the small pours and the amount of time available for wine questions.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would choose this tour if you want a short, social introduction to Alicante’s wine country without giving up the rest of your day. It suits couples, friends, families, and solo visitors who like mixing food and drink with local sights.

It is also a good pick for people who prefer a guide behind the wheel. You can enjoy the wine without worrying about driving back to Alicante, and the small group gives you a chance to meet other wine fans.

Families can take part because most people can participate, although the alcoholic tasting is clearly designed for adults. The church and castle give non-drinkers something to enjoy too.

You may want a different experience if your main goal is serious wine study. The three samples are small, lunch is not included, and the winery guide may not have much time for detailed questions. This is an easy, varied outing, not a full wine-school session.

The activity also requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. For other changes, cancel at least 24 hours before the 10:30 a.m. start time to receive a full refund. Late cancellations and changes are not accepted for a refund.

Practical advice before you book

Wear shoes you can use comfortably at the church, winery, and castle. The exact walking conditions are not specified, but this is not a sit-down tasting from start to finish.

Eat something before you leave if you need a full breakfast. The included breadsticks, olives, and tapa are snacks only. If lunch matters to you, ask about arranging it in advance rather than assuming there will be time.

Keep some room in your schedule for the guide’s local suggestions. Yevgen has helped people with extra sightseeing and drop-offs, but added stops should be treated as a bonus, not a promise.

Finally, book with realistic expectations about the wine. You will taste three local wines, but the portions may be small. If you want to ask detailed questions, do so early and make use of the drive, where the guide may have more time than the winery staff.

Should you book the Novelda wine and church tour?

Yes, if you want an efficient Alicante excursion with wine, architecture, and a medieval castle in one package. The strongest parts are the small group, the helpful drivers, the old winery, and the variety of stops. The cost is reasonable when you count the transport, guiding, admission fees, tasting, and snacks.

I would hesitate only if you want a long tasting with generous pours, a full meal, or detailed technical discussion of each wine. For everyone else, this is a smart three-hour break from Alicante’s city center, with enough local character to feel like more than a quick tasting stop.

FAQ

Where does the tour take place?

The experience travels from Alicante to Novelda, where you visit the old winery, Santa Magdalena Church, and the Castle of Mola.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 10:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours and ends back at the meeting point.

How many wines are included?

You taste three different wines: one white, one rosé, and one red.

Are snacks included?

Yes. The tasting includes breadsticks, olives, and a small tapa.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but it may be arranged in advance in certain private-tour situations or when timing has been agreed with the driver.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.