We went to take a wine tour at the Aldonza Bodega. It is located in the historic wine region of Castile-La Mancha, Spain.
The winery is nestled in the Navamarin Pastureland, a unique geographical area that imparts special characteristics to the grapes.
The combination of the region’s specific climate, soil, and altitude makes the grapes grown here develop robust unique flavours and balanced acidity.
The winery’s emblem features the iconic figure of Don Quixote on horseback, a nod to the cultural heritage of La Mancha, the land that inspired Cervantes’ famous novel.
We were greeted by a guide who took us through the entire winery explaing the different aspects of the wine making.
He explained how the winery has received numerous international and world-recognized awards for its exceptional quality.
some of the wards for their wines
Aldonza Bodega created a perfect blend of traditional wine making with modern innovation.
Modern and clean facilities
The modern facilities are equipped with cutting-edge technology, yet the wine cellar is designed to look like an ancient, natural cave, evoking a sense of history and authenticity.
“Cave” area of the bodega
Even the lighting was made to look like lanterns with flickering lights simulating flames.
This balance between the old and new is also reflected in their winemaking approach, which honors traditional techniques while leveraging modern methods to enhance the quality of their wines.
We were treated to an experience that celebrates their award winning wines. We enjoyed a wine tasting session, which included not only their award-winning wines but also olive oil produced on-site, offering a complete taste of the region’s artisanal products.
Shelley, Ray, Sonja, Marcelo in the Bodega Aldonza
“no malgastes tu tiempo o el tiempo te malgastará a ti. disfruta de la vida al máximo”
We went on a trip for a few days to visit the town of Requena in eastern Spain. It is located on the left bank of the river Magro. The town has a long history and at one time was used as a Moorish fortress. The moors occupied Spain for around 800 years, from 711 to 1492.
Part of the fortress in Requena Spain
Requena is dominated by the ancient citadel of the Moors, and still has traces of the original town walls.
Church front of Arciprestal Del Salvador in RequenaThe Iglesia Arciprestal del Salvador is Renaissance-style, Roman Catholic church. It was erected in the 15th century.
We walked and explored some of the streets of the older section of Requena.
One of the narrow streets in RequenaA narrow street in Requena
Another interesting fact about Requena is the existence of a labyrinth of caves located underneath the streets. Between the 12th and 13th centuries during the Muslim period, caves were excavated and used for storage and protection.
One of the gated and locked entrances into the labyrinth of caves under the old quarter of Requena.
There are 22 caves that can still be found in Requena today. Many homes in Requena’s old quarter have a cave as part of the house. Thanks to geology, it was possible to easily excavate the subsoil which was done by the moors.
Entrance into the Historic Murviedro bodega.
We had the opportunity to visit the Murviedro’s Historic Winery located in the old quarter of Requena.
Entering into the cave system under Requena
Through part of the tour we explored some of the ancient caves under the city.
Ancient containers used for wine storage
It was like going back in time and experiencing the sensation of a different era. The bodega kept some of the original wine containers and in the original condition.
Original clay cast for storage of olive oil or wine.
After exploring the caves of the winery we were able to enjoy a fantastic wine tasting of their different wines.
Overall It was a great experience and provided us with a snapshot of ancient times through the caves of Requena.
We finished our day by walking along the small alleys that led to the edge of the city, where we admired the stunning sunset.
A very enjoyable and memorable trip to Requena Spain.
We met our friends Dan and Kathy from Canada in Madrid. From there we did a tour of some of the most beautiful cities of Spain. We of course began our adventure in Madrid. We walked the city centre exploring the architecture, food and culture of Madrid.
Dan in front of a Bocadillo restaurant in Madrid
Ibérico de bellota, is a type of ham, the ¨bellota¨ refers to the acorn-rich diets of free-range Iberian pigs. It is considered one of the best type of ham in Spain.
Shelley, Kathy and Dan in front of the oldest restaurant in the world ¨Botin¨ located in Madrid.View of the Palacio de Comunicaciones in MadridThe front of the Royal Palace of Madrid
We decided to take a break and try some Madrid tapas.
Dan enjoying tapas in Madrid
Toledo
The following day we took the high speed train to Toledo.
Kathy and Dan at the Toledo sign
The city of Toledo represents the essence and soul of Spain. There are beautiful historical landmarks that are located throughout the city. Toledo was declared a Historic-Artistic Site by UNESCO in 1940 and later, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986 for its extensive monumental and cultural heritage. It has a rich and long history and dates back to the fifth century BC. In 193 BC, it was taken by the roman empire and remained an important city. During the ages Toledo was known for the quality of the weapons it made for the Romans.
Store front in Toledo selling assorted swords and knives.
We went into the ¨Iglesia de los Jesuitas¨ a beautiful 18th-century baroque church.
Iglesia de los Jesuitas in Toledo Spain
We explored the church and even went up the tower and onto the roof area.
From there we could see the spectacular views of Toledo and the surrounding area.
View of Toledo Spain from the roof of the Iglesia de los Jusuitas
We had a wonderful day in Toledo exploring the many sites and historic areas.
Barcelona
The following day we took the high speed train from Madrid to Barcelona. The train speed was as fast as 300 kilometers per hour during the trip. We arrived in the heart of the city and began exploring the second largest city in Spain.
We went to the Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, known as the Sagrada Familia basilica. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is an extraordinary cathedral. It is the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world. Designed by the Famous architect Antoni Gaudí,
Barcelona Cathedral
Dan in the base of the Sagrada Familia church
We went to see the Güel park which was built from 1900 to 1914. It was designed by the same architect Mr. Antoni Gaudí that was in charge of the construction of the Sagrada Familia Church. The Güel park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984. It is one of the large green spaces in Barcelona, with more than 17 hectares. We walked throughout the park admiring the unique designs of the walls and walkways.
The Entrance to the Güel park in BarcelonaOne of the stone walls along the walkway in the Güel Park in BarcelonaStone pillars of the bridge section in Güel ParkShelley towards the top of the Güel park with views that overlook Barcelona
After exploring Barcelona for a few days we were off on the train again this time to Alicante
Alicante
Alicante is a historic Mediterranean port city with a long rich history. The history of Alicante spans thousands of years. The first settlements in the Alicante area were made by Iberian tribes. Since then the area has been inhabited successively by Greeks, Romans, Muslims, and Christians. Today Alicante is a bustling city of over 320,000 population.
Kathy and Dan near the entrance to the Castillo de Santa Bárbara in Alicante
We explored the city and walked the beautiful coastline of the Mediterranean sea enjoying the kilometres of white sandy beaches.
Kathy, Dan, Shelley and Ray on the beach in AlicanteKathy and Dan walking in the Mediterranean sea in AlicanteKathy and Dan leaving their mark on the shore of the mediterranean Sea.
Over the next few days we explored the city at a relaxed pace. We walked the promenade. It was decorated for Christmas and there was a very large nativity scene on the promenade.
Kathy and Dan at luceros plaza in Alicante10 meter hight Nativity scene on the promenade in AlicanteDan and Kathy on the Promenade in AlicanteDan and Kathy in front of an old Ficus Microcarpa tree in the Canalejas Park in Alicante.
We explored some museums which were quite unique. The Fogueres Festival museum was very special with different fogueres on display.
Kathy and Dan in the Fogueres Museum in Alicante
We went to the Castillo de Santa Barbara and explored this historic castle.
View of the Santa Bárbara castle from the waterfront of Alicante.
The medieval castle is a historic landmark and was built on the top of Mount Benacantil. The views of the mediterranean Sea where amazing and the colour of the water stunning.
View from the top of the Castle of Santa Bárbara in AlicantePartial view of the castle and the mediterranean seaKathy and Dan with some Knights of the Castle of Santa BarbaraKathy, Dan and Shelley on a section of the castle of Santa Barbara
Kathy in the lookout on the top of the Santa Bárbara Castle
Kathy on the lookout tower of the Santa Bárbara Castle in Alicante.
While in Alicante we enjoyed trying a few of the traditional Spanish restaurants and walking through the fresh food markets.
Dan and Kathy at one of the Spanish restaurants in Alicante
Guadalest
After spending time in Alicante we took a few day trips around the area. The first trip was to Gaudalest a small village anchored in a small valley. Gaudalest was declared a Historic-Artistic monument in 1974. It is known for its ‘castle’, which is literally hanging on the edge of the cliffs.
Kathy and Dan looking out over the Valley in Guadalest
We did a day trip with our friend and tour guide Filipe to a town called Novelda.
Novelda
The day began with a tour of the Mola castle which stands 360 metres above sea level. The castle was built in the late 12th century by Islamic occupiers. The castle was originally a polygonal layout with eight square turrets jutting out from the outer wall, although only four still survive today.
Dan, Kathy and Shelley with Filipe explaining the history of the Mola castle
We climbed the steep narrow stairs inside the towers reaching the top of the tower.
Narrow and steep staircase within the Mola castle
We also could see the remains of the 12th century layout of the castle from the rooftop.
View of the remains of the rooms within the 12th century castle
We could also see the church Shrine of Mary Magdalene .
View from Castle of the Church Shrine of Mary MagdaleneThe church Shrine of Mary Magdalene in Novelda
We explored this amazing and unique church. Work began on the church in 1918 and was completed in three phases. The architect Jose Sala Sala, who is a native of Novelda, he dedicated the church to Mary Magdalene, the patron saint of Novelda.
The outside is made of stone, brick and marble with a similar style to the Sagrada Familia Church in Barcelona.
Outside walls of the church
The main entrance archway is made of large sections of marble and is quite impressive. The marble organ system which is still under construction is made completely of marble. The three main marble pipes are mounted above the entranceway of the church.
Shelley and Dan at the entrance area of the church
After visiting the church we finished our day by visiting the Bodega Casa Cesilia which has a great restaurant. We enjoyed a great meal and then toured the winery.
Casa Cesilla winery in Novelda
It was a great way to end our day. Over the next few days we relaxed and enjoyed home cooked meals and some quiet time in Alicante before heading back out on our next adventure.
“Las cosas bonitas se aprecian mucho mejor en compañía de amigos”
Last Friday evening, we went to a local Bodega called” Esteban de la Rosa” What makes this Bodega special is a feature they have on the first Friday of the month. They have a wine tasting event where you pay 5 euros and enjoy the evening tasting the large section of different wines.
Esteban de la Rosa Bodega in Alicante Spain
We decided to enjoy Friday the 13th by going to the wine tasting event at the Bodega Esteban de la Rosa with some friends. We arrived and entered the Bodega which was quite large. They had a very large selection of quality wines from all over Spain.
Rows of Spanish wines at the Esteban de la Rosa Bodega
The inside of the Esteban de la Rosa Bodega
We paid our 5 euros and we were given a wine glass to use for the event. The process was fairly easy, you could simply walk around the Bodega and sample any of the wine bottles which were in a bracket on the pillars throughout the Bodega.
Wine bottles in brackets for tasting
We helped ourselves to some of the wines trying the different varieties. There was also pails and pitchers of water throughout the Bodega to pour out the wine and rinse your glass.
Ray, Liz, Mike, Shelley, and Denise at one of the wine testing stations
We also had some tapas to go with the wines. We enjoyed some local cheeses and other delicacies.
Assorted Tapas at the Bodega
We enjoyed Spanish wines, made some new friends and had a great evening.
Denise and Shelley at the Esteban de la Rosa Bodega
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