"Wine tours, tastings and historical sites ...more than wine"
Valencian Cellar Tours
** Wines of Castelló & Peñiscola Castle ** Castle closed 8-21 April please check with us!
Historically during Roman times Castellon (Castelló) possessed much larger vineyard areas producing wines from varieties such as Moscatel de Alejandria & Mourvèdre, a viticulture which continued for centuries until the arrival of philoxera. Later uprooting of hybrid vines combined with restrictive legislation favouring citrus agriculture further reduced viticulture. With a resurgence of winemaking in Castelló under the "Vino de la Tierra de Castellon", older vineyards are being recovered and traditions brought back to life with both native Spanish & plantings of French varietals.
We propose a Full day visit to the interior of Castelló visiting two rural vineyards tasting a range of red & white wines reflecting terroir & originality. Pertaining to unique, organically farmed & almost completely natural forms of winemaking it is a far cry from more developed viticultural regions. Wines have low suphites, little or zero filtration with an honest, minimalist approach without artificial adjustments. The landscape is rich with olive and almond trees with a sense of being wild and somewhat isolated from modern life. Indeed our vineyards also grow olives, almonds and make olive oil on a small artisan basis. Some olive trees date back 800yrs.
Our vineyard experience includes maridaje of local cured charcouteria & cheese with wines plus lunch at a rustic masia nr the vineyard or in Peñiscola . Then to explore the Castle of Pope Luna & the walled historic city of Peñiscola. The Templars castle (1294-1307), one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses of Castelló ..former home of Pope Benedict XIII (Pope Luna). The "Knights Templar" built this Romanesque work on the remains of the old Arab Citadel and is similiar in style to others in the Holy Land & Catalonia. The castle was used as the set for "Game of Thrones" 2015 & film "El Cid " 1961 featuring Charlton Heston.
Walking the cobb
led streets that weave the city is like travelling back in time and immersing oneself in the Middle Ages. Phoenicians, Greeks followed by Carthaginians, Romans & Arabs sailed the prosperous Mediterranean to this advantageous location... being an impregnable fortress with kind climate & provision of fresh water from springs under the citadel. The monuments & historic artifacts are numerous to detail here & include Templars Castle, 3 Fortress entrances heraldic escudos, Artillery Depot (now botanic garden), Plaza de Armas, Virgin de la Ermitana church, parish church, Lighthouse ca. 1892, Martime Museum and more..
Views from the castle & higher elevations of the city are spectacular with mountain backdrop of Natural Parks Els Ports, Tinença de Benifassà & coast. The fishing port has daily a fish market supplying the area. We also make a refreshment afternoon stop overlooking the bay.
The few photos here show a little about the day...a worthy trip for wine, history and exploring the Mediterranean.
Itinerary: - Pick-up hotel Valencia city 0845hrs / Returning at Valencia approx. 1930hrs, or earlier on request.
- Fully guided two Organic vineyard visits/tastings & maridaje charcouteria & cheese
- Lunch at masia restaurant nr vineyard or in Peñiscola
- Peñiscola historic city walkabout exploring inc. entrance fees to Pope Luna Castle &
Botanic gardens.
- Afternoon refreshment (cerveza/wine ) in Peñiscola.
- Maritime Museum optional if desired.
Duration: 9-11hrs variable as you wish
+34 617 969 975 info@valenciancellars.com 
Telegram: Valencian Cellar Tours
Some snap shots of the days scenery ...
