The Old Vines of Requena

This private day trip from Valencia takes you into the Utiel-Requena wine region, where centuries of viticulture shape both landscape and identity. Accompanied by an expert guide, you begin in the Old Town of Requena, walking through its historic quarter before descending into the Cuevas de la Villa — an underground network of caves where wine was made and stored centuries ago. Here, temperature, darkness, and time are built into the town itself. The journey continues to the village of Los Pedrones, where you meet Alberto, owner of a small wine project dedicated to recovering abandoned old vineyards and working with native varieties. You walk among the vines, learn about the philosophy behind these wines, and take part in a curated tasting paired with local “Km 0” bites that reflect the agricultural character of the region. This is a wine experience rooted in place — historical, agricultural, and contemporary at once.

Utiel-Requena has documented wine heritage stretching back thousands of years, yet it remains outside most standard visitor itineraries — part of why it still feels agricultural rather than touristic. It is one of Spain’s historic wine regions, particularly known for the Bobal grape. Vineyards here are measured in generations. This experience places that heritage within context — from the underground caves of Requena to the revival of old vineyards in Los Pedrones, where you meet a small grower-winemaker working directly with the land. The tasting feels grounded rather than commercial. Paired with Km 0 products and paced privately, the day offers depth and continuity — linking history, landscape, and wine into a coherent whole. Valeria brings both cultural knowledge and technical wine expertise. As a WSET Diploma holder and certified sommelier, she guides you not only in what you are tasting, but in how soil, climate, grape variety, and winemaking decisions shape each bottle.

Valeria is a licensed local guide born and raised in Valencia. With Chilean roots and years of experience working with international visitors, she combines local knowledge with a broad cultural perspective. She guides in English, German and Mandarin Chinese, and enjoys guiding travelers from diverse backgrounds. Over the years, she has led visitors through Valencia and its surrounding landscapes, sharing its landmarks, everyday culture, regional identity, and lesser-known corners. She is the author of a guide to cycling routes in and around Valencia, reflecting her interest in exploring the region actively. Wine and gastronomy are central to her work. Valeria is an international sommelier, WSET Diploma holder and certified Weinakademiker. In 2023, she placed first in the Spanish National Blind Tasting Competition (Team Category) and ranked 4th worldwide. Her approach to wine emphasizes regional expression, technical rigor, and a deep understanding of how land, product, and tradition.

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