Wine Tours Utiel-Requena

More information on Utiel-Requena

The wine region of Utiel-Requena finds itself in the northwest of the Valencian community of Spain. Within its territory, which takes its name from the neighboring towns of Utiel and Requena, you will have the opportunity to admire mountain landscapes dominated by long rows of vineyards - the area boasts about 35,000 hectares of vineyards in total - and visit some of Spain’s oldest wineries.

During your visits to Utiel-Requena’s wineries, you will have the opportunity to taste some very impressive red wines, which together with delicious rosés are the star of the region, but also some fruity white wines. Ancient Phoenician amphorae provide evidence that winemaking traditions in the region go back 2600 years. However, the Utiel-Requena DO has stayed relevant throughout the years, and today passionate winemakers combine heritage and innovation to produce some unique wines.

Which food to taste in Utiel-Requena?

The area of Utiel-Requena is surely renowned for its historical wineries, many of which can be visited for a wine tasting. On top of being Valencia’s largest wine region, Utiel-Requena is a great destination for gastronomes, and along the Utiel-Requena wine route you’ll have the opportunity to savor some typical Spanish inland cuisine, with dishes like ajoarriero (stewed salted cod with garlic), potatoes in broth, morteruelo (a liver and meat pâté), and puchero (stewed beans and meat), on top of mouthwatering cured meat products.

Which wines to taste in Utiel-Requena?

The main protagonist of your wine tastings in Utiel-Requena will be the Bobal grape, a native black variety that accounts for approximately 80% of the region’s vineyards. Other common black grape types in the region include Tempranillo, Garnacha, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Garnacha, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. Some white grape varieties are also cultivated in Utiel-Requena, predominantly for the production of sparkling Cava. The accepted varieties include Tardana, Macabeo, Mersequera, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Parellada, Verdejo, and Moscatel de Grano Menudo.

Which is the best season to visit Utiel-Requena?

The best seasons to plan your wine tastings and winery visits in Utiel-Requena are spring and autumn. The region sits on a plateau approximately 700 meters above sea level and enjoys continental weather with hot and dry summers and cold, frosty winters. Every year, between the last week of August and the first of September, the Grape Harvest Festival takes place in Requena, attracting wine lovers across the country.

What things to do in Utiel-Requena?

During your time in the Utiel-Requena area, you will have the opportunity to take part in some unique wine tastings and visit some of the most important wineries in the region. While here, we recommend visiting at least a few of the area’s highlights, such as the Hoces de Cabriel and Chera Nature Reserves, which you can explore on a kayak, bike, or horseback, the wine museum in Utiel, or the historic centers of Requena and Utiel, rich in historic heritage and medieval architecture.