Valencia Wine Region

Travel Guide to Valencia Wine Region

The Mediterranean landscape of Valencia wine region with its long coasts alternating with striking mountains is a great place to visit for any tourist. The region boasts long white beaches, an amazing gastronomic tradition of Paella, and exuberant nightlife. With an amazing climate, all year round, and is a perfect holiday destination. Valencia wine region has a population of about 5 million people spread throughout the major city of Valencia as well as smaller towns and villages. The region is also a major orange growing area and accounts for more than half of the total Spanish orange production. In addition to orange groves, the Valencia wine region also produces excellent local wines. Come, visit the region, admire the stunning countryside and enjoy the noble wine of Alicante - Fondillón.

Check out Wine Tastings and Tours in Valencia wine region.

Wines From The Land of Oranges - Valencia Wine Region

Valencia is known worldwide for growing oranges, but its long days of warm sun and position next to the Mediterranean Sea also make it an ideal place for growing grapes. Valencia wine region might not be the most famous of Spain‘s wine regions, but there’s plenty for wine lovers to explore. Generally speaking, the Valencia wine region is famous for light Cavas and rich red wines that tend to be intense, with a body, structure, and relatively high alcohol content.

Valencia Wine Region Map

Discover Wine-Producing Areas around The Vibrant City Valencia

Utiel-Requena DO is one of the most popular wines and the largest winemaking zone of the Valencia wine region. the area has a long history of winemaking going back to the 7th century. The name of the DO comes from two towns Utiel and Requina where the vineyards of the sub-region stretch. The towns of Utiel and Requina themselves are worth visiting. They are famous for medieval architecture, small walkable places, and plenty of wine bars around.

Utiel-Requena DO wines are fruit-forward, presenting aromas and flavors of cherry with violet and chocolate notes. 

DO Valencia wines are produced between Huerta and the mountain ranges that border the region. This area is the perfect getaway from the city to the stunning countryside where you will find different zones producing distinctive wines.

The Alto Turia is located northeast of the city and producing wines under DO Valencia. The climate and the location of the Alto Turia on the banks of the Turia river favor the production of dry white wines. At slightly lower altitude and further down from Alto Turia, wineries produce one of the famous Moscatel de Valencia.

Alicante DO is located in the southernmost part of the Valencia wine region. The sub-region has a long history of wine production and got DO status in 1957.

Grape Varieties of Valencia Wine Region

Red Varieties: Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Monastrell

White varieties: Chardonnay, Semillon, Merseguera, Muscat, Muscat of Alexandria

Top Wineries to Visit in Valencia Wine Region

There is an abundance of possibilities to make your trip to the Valencia wine region an unforgettable experience. Visit Wineries in Valencia and enjoy the charming countryside landscapes.

Las Virtudes winery

the Las Virtudes winery is located in the Villena region of Alicante, Spain. The winery is a cluster of various other wineries grouped together to produce the highest quality wines, expressing the heritage of the city. Surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, the winery offers an excellent wine tourism experience as well.

Bodegas Monovar

Bodegas Monovar is a winery surrounded by Riesling and Syrah vineyards in between a stunning landscape of Levantine in the Alicante region. The winery celebrates a long history and traditions of winemaking.
Century-old oak barrels store the Fondillon de Alicante wine, a traditional wine almost five centuries old.

Bodegas Vegalfaro

Bodegas Vegalfaro is a family winery that was set up in 1999 by Andres Valiente and his son Rodolfo Valiente. They want their wines to show the unique qualities of their historic region.

Their Vino de Pago is Spain’s most prestigious terroir reference and has E.U.’s organic certification. All of their products are vegan and pure.

Discover more Wineries in Valencia Wine Region.

Places to Visit in Valencia Wine Region

Alicante - The Heart of Tourism in Valencia

Alicante is located in the middle of Costa Blanca and it is one of the most important tourist destinations on the Spanish east coast. Many green golf courses set along the tranquil waters of the Mediterranean Sea are a part of the appeal of this beautiful harbour city. Alicante sits at the foot of the Castle of Santa Barbara, which has silently witnessed the numerous civilizations which have settled in the region over time.

The historic quarter located at the foothills of the Alicante fortress presents interesting religious and civil architectural examples. Explanada de España (Spain boulevard), which is a traditional recreational area for the locals, is one of them. Alicante is also famous for its Moor and Christian festivals and the Night of San Juan and it is a land of deeply-rooted traditions.

Benidorm - Beauty and Buzzing Energy at Every Turn

Benidorm is located in the Marina Baixa region of Alicante and is a great place to visit. Due to its excellent beaches, wide range of accommodations, restaurants, and leisure activities, this is a top tourist destination on Costa Blanca. The historic centers of Benidorm stand out in contrast with the coastline that extends five kilometers lined with buildings, shops, and outdoor cafes. The city offers a whole range of possibilities to enjoy your holidays - from strolling along the seafront promenade or swimming in the sea to enjoying a range of water sports or taking a boat trip to the island of Benidorm. Its fine sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, and outstanding year-round climate have made it famous, rightfully so come enjoy the sunshine and sea for yourselves.

Valencia – There is Something for Everyone

Valencia is one of the most vibrant cities not only in Spain but also in Europe. Besides, being one of the biggest student cities, the city has many different offers that attract tourists, it is a perfect location for cultural, natural, and gastro travelers. Valencia has a vibrant old center, with a knot of little streets and splendid medieval buildings like the UNESCO-listed Lonja de la Seda. Discover architectural contrasts of the city from the historic center to The City of Arts and Sciences, which is a modern cultural and architectural complex of Valencia. 

The location right on the Mediterranean makes it ideal for holidaymakers. Here you can lounge on broad, sandy beaches and duck into cozy spots for delectable cuisine that is influenced by the sea. You can also visit our partner winery Bodega Dussart Pedron in Valencia.

_{Check out our list of wineries near Valencia to discover amazing wine experiences.}   

Natural Places to Discover Around Valencia Wine Region

La Albufera National Park - The Home of Paella and Dreamy Landscapes

Pure nature 10 km away from the city, dreamy sunsets, boat rides give you the possibility to completely switch off for a while.

La Albufera is a freshwater lagoon on the Gulf of Valencia, where the biodiversity of the park allows visitors to discover a great variety of flora and fauna all year round. The Lagoon is dotted by fishermen's houses surrounded by rice fields, which creates a very unique atmosphere. Cultivating rice is a traditional activity here and this is exactly where the most popular Valencian dish, Paella was born.

Take a stroll along with six of the possible walking routes within the nature park, discover the water birds, and plants, and have a true fishing experience in the lagoon.

Gorgo de la Escalera - Anna’s Stairway to Heaven

The Gorgo de la Escalera is a beautiful natural site near the Albufera de Anna, which is a lake formed thanks to the multitude of springs in the area. Very close from there you come across the large canyon that is shaped by the waters of the river and it could be accessed through 136 steps. The natural waters also form a waterfall and relaxing atmosphere. You can take a cold water bath or simply relax and enjoy the landscape.

Muntanyeta dels Sants - A Picture Perfect Setting

Muntanyeta dels Sants (Muntanyeta dels Sants de la Pedra) also known as Cerro de Los Santos, is a beautiful place nestled in the Natural Park of La Albufera, in the municipality of Sueca surrounded by rice paddies. This is a perfect place to enjoy unique views and sunset on its terrace viewpoint, next to the fountain. The best months to visit are the summer months before the harvesting of the rice paddies.

Discover other Spanish wine-growing regions in this article.

Discover the best Valencia Wine Tour Guides and embark on an unforgettable journey exploring the finest Guided Wine Tours in Valencia.

What to Eat in Valencia Wine Region

Valencia wine region, like others of Spain, was an important area for many invaders throughout history – The Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Moors, and Visigoths all took hold of Valencia at some point due to its strategic coastal location. Every invader brought different products to Valencia which contributed to the multi-facade character of Valencian Gastronomy. Moors that governed the city for 5 centuries introduced rice, sugarcane, oranges, and almonds. That’s why Valencia offers quite a big diversity of rice dishes. However, the region doesn’t settle only for Paella, since the mountains and coastal areas of the region have different cuisines. Fish, seafood, and rice are the mainstays of the coastal cuisine, whereas meat dishes including game, lamb, and kid goat are common in the mountain areas.

Paella - The Most Well Known Spanish Dish

One of the most popular Spanish dishes - Paella has its roots in Valencia, where traditional activities of rice cultivation take place in the wetlands, near Albufera Lake.

Paella was originally cooked in giant calderas in the open air near the lake in the 18th century, and it exploded in popularity around the mid-1800s. Traditional Valencian paella includes chicken, rabbit, and local white beans called garrafó—but seafood, vegetarian, and “mixed” paella, containing both meat and fish, are also popular. Other typical additions include artichokes, lobster, and even snails. And of course, the best paella always has a layer of crispy rice along the bottom.

All I Pebre - Eat Like a Local

All I Pebre is a famous delicacy among Valencianos. It is a stew prepared from eel, potatoes, and a perfect sauce that includes garlic, paprika, and almonds. This heavy meal is not so popular outside the region and it is a well-kept secret and a true gastronomic hidden gem.

Bunyols - Save Room for Dessert

Bunyols are yummy fritters containing a touch of pumpkin in the dough. Valencians usually snack on them during the famous Las Fallas Festival in March, but we recommend enjoying them any time of year. This delicious snack is one of our favorite typical foods from Valencia.

Local Sommelier Pedro Blesa Marín tells us about Alicante Wines in Valencia Wine Region

For Alicante, what is the very best with this wine region compared to other regions in Spain?

- Alicante is a heterogeneous region with different soils and climates, which allows a wide variety of local and traditional grapes. Wines from this place have a typicity and are distinguished from other regions. There is also a tradition of elaborating sweet wines from white grapes (Moscatel) and red grapes (Monastrell).

Vinalopó - It is an inland southern region surrounded by valleys and mountains, where the main grape is Monastrell, which produces heavy but fresh wines. Also, this grape is used to elaborate a rare kind of red-sweet wine (Fondillón), which is aged in a particular way in oak barrels for many years. In addition, this region has a rich heritage from the middle ages, such as beautiful castles.

Marina Alta - The northern coastal region is well known for its sweet wines from Moscatel grapes (Muscat), with the other good dry wines from this grape. As red grapes, there's a specific grape called Giró, which allows making fine and light wines. In this region, we can find the ruins from the Iberian Peninsula (700 B.C) - One of the most ancient wine cellars. In addition, this region is very close to the most spectacular sea spots of the Mediterranean region, such as Denia, Javea, Moraira, Calpe, and Benidorm.

If you visit Alicante for the very first time, which grape variety should you try first?

- As I mentioned above, the most characteristic grapes are Monastrell, Moscatel, and Giró.

Is there any particular food dish that you have to try when you stay in Alicante?

- As it's a heterogeneous region, close to the sea, but surrounded by high mountains and valleys, there's also a wide range of food and dishes. The international and most well-known dish with no doubt is Arroz Alicantino (the equivalent from Paella Valenciana, which is not exactly the same), which has a lot of different recipes depending on the subregion or town you are in.

Alicante is also very rich in meats and all kinds of vegetables, fish, and seafood. That makes an infinite kind of dish elaboration. Not in vain, we are in a region with a very high concentration of creative restaurants, including a high ratio of Michelin Stars.