Valencia is famous for many things, from breathtaking sights to being the birthplace of paella. But did you know that Valencia also has a rich winemaking tradition that spans nearly three thousand years?
If you’re a wine enthusiast, trust me, you’ll love going wine tasting in Valencia. From picturesque vineyards situated in the scenic countryside to elegant wine bars in the center of the city, there’s a wine-tasting experience in Valencia for every type of traveler and budget.
In This Article
Wine tasting in Valencia – fun facts
History: The wine-making tradition in the Valencia region spans over 2,600 years
Main appellation: DO Utiel-Requena
Planted area: 32,000 ha
Wines produced: Mostly red and rosé wines. Also cava, pale white wines, and sweet wines
Red grape varieties: Bobal (indigenous grape variety occupying 65% of the area and producing 80% of the wine), Tempranillo, Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, etc.
White grape varieties: Tardana (indigenous grape variety), Verdejo, Moscatel, Chardonnay, etc.
Annual production: 31 million bottles of wine per year
Other appellations: DO Valencia, DO Alicante, DO Castellón
Old Town
Valencia’s Old Town, also known as Ciutat Vella, is a mesmerizing maze of narrow streets, historic buildings, and hidden treasures. Dating back two thousand years, all the way to Valencia’s Roman origins, this part of the city is steeped in history and culture.
But that’s not all. The Old Town is bustling with activity and is a haven for arts, music, and nightlife enthusiasts, which makes it the perfect place to go on a wine-tasting tour while in Valencia.
Whether you decide to go wine bar hopping on your own or prefer to discover Valencia’s wine culture in the company of a wine connoisseur, you have plenty of options.
Wine tasting in the Old Town
- Private wine tasting – a 1.5-hour wine tasting with snacks in a cozy bar in the old center of Valencia
- Wine tasting with a professional sommelier – a 2-hour wine-tasting tour with a professional sommelier who has worked in some of Europe’s best Michelin-starred restaurants
- Old Town tour with wine and tapas – a 4-hour walking tour of Valencia ending with a 10-course tapas feast and regional wine tasting
- Walking tour with wine tasting – a 2.5-hour evening walking tour of the city center with food and wine tasting with a professional sommelier
Ruzafa
Ruzafa is a vibrant neighborhood known for its nightlife, which makes it a wonderful backdrop for wine tasting in Valencia.
Peppered with numerous wine bars and bodegas where you can indulge in the perfect local wine and tapas pairings, Ruzafa is bohemian and trendy with an eclectic atmosphere.
Here you will also find an abundance of options, so deciding where to go might be a bit overwhelming. To spare you the stress of random choice, here are some top wine bars and wine-tasting tours to check out in Valencia’s Ruzafa neighborhood.
Wine tasting in Ruzafa
- Paella cooking class and wine – a 3.5-hour paella cooking class where you get to enjoy a full menu, including local wine pairings
- Enocata – this wine shop is run by a small team of wine lovers and organizes regular wine tastings
- Che Vins – this trendy wine shop hosting monthly wine tastings in the heart of Valencia’s Ruzafa neighborhood
City of Arts and Sciences
Finding a nice wine bar in Valencia is not complicated at all. But you might prefer a venue relatively close to your accommodation, especially if you plan to spend the evening wine tasting in Valencia.
Since the area next to the City of Arts and Sciences is one of the best places to stay in Valencia if you’ve booked or plan to book a hotel here, the following tour comes highly recommended.
Wine tasting near the City of Arts and Sciences
- City of Arts & Sciences tour with wine tasting – a 4 hours tour that combines a visit to the City of Arts and Sciences with a wine and tapas tasting on one of Valencia’s top rooftop terraces with gorgeous views over the city
Utiel-Requena
Valencia has plenty of exceptional wine bars and terraces where you can taste absolutely marvelous local wines. But if you’re in the city for anything more than 2 days, the nearby Utiel-Requena is one of the best day trips from Valencia.
To get there, you can either rent a car or hop on the train and visit on your own. But if you want to expand your wine experience and learn more about this millennial wine region, you should definitely join one of these vineyard tours.
Wine tasting in Utiel-Requena
- Two wineries tour – a half-day small-group wine-tasting tour to two wineries in the Utiel-Requena region
- Private wine-tasting tour with lunch – a half-day private wine-tasting tour, including a visit to the vineyards, the famous 9th-century wine caves, and lunch in Utiel
- Morning wine tasting and winery tour – a morning winery tour and wine tasting in the company of a Valencian sommelier with a visit to the wine caves in Requena
- Horseback riding and wine tasting – a half-day tour consisting of a guided horseback ride followed by a wine tasting in a winery in the Utiel-Requena region
- Utiel-Requena wine region tour with lunch – a full-day tour during which you’ll learn about the winemaking process and visit two wineries, with wine tastings in both
