Nestled along Spain’s stunning Costa Blanca, Alicante is a haven for food and wine enthusiasts. At the end of November, a group of us embarked on an unforgettable journey through this Mediterranean gem, discovering its rich viticulture heritage and indulging in its culinary delights.
Here’s a snapshot of our Alicante wine weekend:
Day 1: Arrival and First Dinner
The sun greeted us upon our arrival in Alicante on Thursday, 21st November, allowing us to explore the city before diving into our winery visits the following day. This was our first visit to Alicante, so it was great to have time to explore the city, and take in the views from Castell de Santa Bàrbara.
A complimentary glass of cava at Hotel Hospes Amérigo was a welcome treat.
The hotel proved to be an ideal spot to relax and unwind each evening, and its location was spot on as it was within easy walking distance of everything.
We highly recommend this hotel for its comfort and diverse breakfast selections.
On Thursday evening, we had a fabulous meal at Open Restaurant.
Their signature red tuna dish was the standout favourite for us, closely followed by their tortilla with truffle.
Day 2: Exploring Vineyards and Villages in the Alto Vinalopó Region
For the inaugural winery visit of our Alicante wine weekend, we ventured into the countryside, to the Alto Vinalopó region.
Our first stop was Finca Collado, where we were warmly welcomed by Theo the dog and our charming host, Candela. It's always a delight to meet someone so genuinely passionate about their work; it truly enhances the experience — although Theo may have slightly ‘stolen’ the show!
Candela guided us through the grounds and the winery, sharing their core values of preserving autochthonous and ancestral varieties while employing minimal intervention in both cultivation and winemaking.
She also highlighted the challenges they have encountered this year, particularly due to the lack of rainfall, with rabbits posing a significant problem.
Following the tour, we enjoyed a tasting of five wines, complemented by some local delicacies. It was a fantastic start to the day.
Our second winery visit took us to a place we fondly call the ‘Falcon Crest’ of Alicante! Bodegas Francisco Gómez features a stunning copper sculpture at the entrance, a pretty cavernous chapel, and a members’ area with private wine storage. They also house an impressive olive press.
Located in La Serrata, Bodegas Francisco Gómez sits between the Sierras del Castellar and El Serruchón, just nine kilometres southwest of Villena in the Alto Vinalopó region.
At Francisco Gómez, there is a strong commitment to environmental care. All of their vineyards are certified organic and biodynamic, avoiding synthetic chemical products, fertilizers, or pesticides. The dedication to sustainable practices continues in the winery, where they limit sulphite levels and use local yeasts. Their wines are also vegan-friendly.
Following our tour of the estate, we tasted some of their wines along with their exceptional olive oil, all paired with a selection of tasty cured meats.
Onwards to our third winery visit, which was also the last one of the day.
We were warmly welcomed at Bodegas Monóvar for the Gastro visit, which began with lunch. The table was set, ready for more wine tasting, and complemented by a simple yet generous lunch featuring a traditional rice dish with rabbit and snails.
After our meal, our host Rafael took us on a lively tour filled with engaging stories and amusing anecdotes. Rather than focusing on the winemaking process, he chose to share lesser-known insights, offering a refreshing change from the typical winery experience.
The tour concluded with a visit to the 'sacristy,' where we experienced two tastings of their renowned Fondillón — one from 1944 and another from 1950. Each had its own unique character, yet both were absolutely exquisite!
Thank you, Rafael, for providing us with such an entertaining and memorable experience.
Day 3: Taking the coastal road to the Marina Alta region
Day Two of our Alicante wine adventure commenced at Pepe Mendoza.
Although it was raining that morning, it didn’t dampen our spirits! We kicked off our visit at 10 am with a tasting of two white wines, during which our host shared the winery's history and intriguing insights about Pepe himself.
Next, we moved to another room where we enjoyed five more delightful wines, complemented by cured meats and cheese. Notably, the wineries we visited in Alicante emphasized storytelling and anecdotes over the usual winemaking processes.
At Pepe Mendoza, for example, our host asked us whether we knew why a dog was depicted in their logo. None of us knew, prompting him to share the charming backstory:
'Pepe asked his children if they should include their family pet in the logo, and they thought it was a brilliant idea. However, they mistakenly assumed he meant their pet hamster. Pepe had to explain that a furry rat might not be the best choice for a logo, and they all agreed to feature Lola the dog instead.'
This engaging little tale proved to be far more memorable than a standard explanation of winemaking techniques.
For our last destination of the day, we travelled to the quaint village of Parcent to meet the legendary Felipe at Gutiérrez de la Vega.
His passion for wine, art, literature, and music shone through during our visit. We sampled a diverse selection of wines from both bottles and barrels, often accompanied by music or intriguing stories.
Felipe also took great pride in sharing his visitor book, featuring illustrious names like Michael Nyman.
Our weekend in Alicante wrapped up with a lunch at Maré Restaurant, consisting of a nine-course tasting menu that included village oven-roasted nuts and bread, sobrasada with their own honeycomb, and a tasty pork rice dish, among other offerings.
All in all, it was a fantastic weekend, and the winery visits were varied and spot on. Thank you to everyone who made this experience a memorable one, including our fellow wine lovers who joined us (and a special thanks for the photo memories!).
Reflections
Alicante’s wine culture is a testament to its history, geography, and people.
From the sun-soaked vineyards of Vinalopó to the charming coastal scenes, every moment of the weekend was a celebration of flavour and community.
Whether you’re a seasoned oenophile or a casual wine lover, Alicante promises an experience to savour and remember.
Have you explored the wines of Alicante?
Share your experiences or ask us questions in the comments below!
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