Two wineries, zero rushing, and a medieval town. This private Requena and premium wine tasting day mixes a quick medieval stroll with a DO Pago VIP bodega experience run by Toni Martin and (when possible) the owners. I love the relaxed rhythm—time to walk the vines and see how wine and Cava are made—plus the wine 101 style explanations that actually help you taste with better questions. One thing to consider: the cave/shops in Requena and the exact bodega mix can depend on opening times and day-of availability, and the full day runs about 5 to 6 hours.

You also get real comfort for a wine tour: pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle, plus snacks like embutido, cheese, bread, and estate extra virgin olive oil. You’re paying for private access and guided tastings—so bring an open schedule, and plan to skip lunch since lunch isn’t included.

Key things I’d put on your radar

• Private VIP visits at two different bodega stops, not a quick drive-by
• Tastings totaling 9–10 wines across the two winery experiences
• Toni Martin-led guidance, including explanations of fermentation, barrel aging, and Cava making
• A vineyard time window so you can connect the glass to the grapes
• A flexible 3rd stop that may switch to another high-status bodega (like Pago de Los Balagueses) depending on the day
• Optional Martán Caná Pastora/Pastorita add-on with limited-bottling organic Bobal and olive oil en rama

Requena first: Gothic churches, a castle vibe, and a Moors cave stop

Requena is a great start because it resets your brain from Valencia city life into something slower. You’ll do a walk through medieval Requena with a focus on standout architecture—14th-century Gothic churches, a 10th-century Castillo feel in the old-town area, and the plaza atmosphere that makes these towns work without big-city noise.

The stop is intentionally short (about 40 minutes), which is smart on a wine day. You get enough time to orient yourself—think stone, square, and church facades—without feeling like you’re burning the morning before the tastings.

A highlight here is the Moors cave visit and a chance to shop for local embutido and artisan products. Just keep your expectations flexible: the cave and shop timing is subject to opening times, so some days you may spend more time in the town center and less on the cave element.

Practical tip

Wear shoes you don’t mind on old-stone streets. This is a walking stop, and your real time in the vineyards is later—so start comfortable.

Chozas Carrascal: The VIP DO Pago wine tasting that teaches you how to taste

This is the center of gravity for the whole experience. The Chozas Carrascal stop is a fully guided DO Pago vineyard and bodega visit (organic), with professional direction from Toni Martin (WSET/Sommelier) and, if they’re available, the owners join in.

What makes this visit feel different is the balance of structure and pacing. It’s relaxed, and you’re not just standing in a room with tiny pours. You’ll get time in the vineyard to understand the vines, then move through the production side: fermentation vessel types, how barrel aging works, and what’s happening in the cellar.

Then comes the tasting portion, which is where the tour earns its name as premium. You’ll taste 6+ wines (totaling part of the day’s 9–10 wines), including a premium vintage G. Reserva Cava plus a range of barrel-aged reds, whites, and rosado. The guiding style includes a wine 101 approach—facts you often don’t hear on standard tours—and you can even tailor the wines you taste to your preferences.

There’s also a strong Cava education element. You’ll see the Cava cellar and process, and you’ll hear why it’s not Champagne nor Prosecco. They don’t just label it and move on. The goal is to help you taste the style with context.

One of my favorite parts of this kind of bodega tour is the way it connects “old world” to “real world.” At Chozas Carrascal you may tour the owners’ restored home and antique cellars dating to around 1850, and you’ll also see modern art touches and quirky details mixed into the property. That mix matters: it keeps the story human, not museum-quiet.

What to watch for

This stop is about 2.5 hours. If you’re the type who gets impatient when you can’t rush through, this might feel slow—in a good way. If you want to actually learn and taste, it’s time well spent.

Sierra Norte: High-altitude plots, an eco winery, and a heritage museum feel

After the big tasting, the Sierra Norte stop changes the tempo. It’s shorter—about 1 hour 15 minutes—but it still keeps the guided tone.

This bodega is described as modern and eco-minded (solar panel mentioned) and set inside what used to be the Dominio de Arenal Estate. The property is walled and chateau-style, and the old bodega has been turned into a museum, with a restaurant keeping the heritage feeling alive.

You’ll see the barrel hall and the classic winery, then taste wines from high-altitude plots around 1000 meters plus collection wines from small plots. Cava is part of the line-up here too, including Cava Rosado of Pinot Noir, along with additional tastings that pair with local produce.

The guidance is led by Toni Martin and the bodeguero, so you’ll still get the “why” behind what’s in your glass—not just the “what.”

One more thing that makes this stop feel flexible: because these tours are by private appointment, the operator may switch Sierra Norte to another bodega of status (example given: Pago de Los Balagueses) if that’s the best option on the day. That’s not a bait-and-switch if you think of it as service control. It’s more like: they’ll optimize the day for conditions and availability.

Practical tip

If you’re a photography person, this stop often gives you nicer structure angles—walled winery lines, barrel hall interiors, and vineyard views.

Optional add-on: Martán Caná Pastora/Pastorita and olive oil en rama

If you want the day to shift from “wine tour” toward “nerdy wine person’s day,” the add-on is worth considering. The optional tasting at Viticultores De La Vega runs about 40 minutes, and it’s extra cost: €25 per person, paid on the day and subject to availability.

This add-on focuses on Martán Caná Pastora & Pastorita, described as artisanal organic wines tied to 120-year-old Bobal vines. They mention careful farming and winemaking choices: hand harvest/selected fruit, natural yeasts, minimal intervention (no manipulation or stabilisation), and very low sulphites to retain the wine’s character from barrel to bottle.

There’s also a limited-bottling detail that wine people will appreciate: the vintage is 2022, and they cite only 830 and 1450 bottles for the wines. You’ll taste in the vineyards, which makes these small-batch bottles feel more personal.

The add-on can also include premium extra virgin olive oil en rama. That matters if you’re into pairing flavors that taste like the raw source, not the refined, softened version.

Quick reality check

Because the add-on is limited and subject to availability, you’ll want to decide during the booking process or ask early. If you wait until the day-of and it’s full, you may miss it.

What’s included (and what you’ll need to plan around)

This isn’t an all-day “buy lunch and wander” situation. It’s built around guided tastings and comfort.

Included

• Air-conditioned vehicle with parking fees
• Pickup from various hotels/B&Bs in Valencia (and even out of town, depending on car access in older areas)
• Snacks: embutido, cheese, bread, plus estate extra virgin olive oil
• Alcoholic beverages: 2 wine tastings totaling 9–10 top wines, including vintage Cava
• Mobile ticket
• Tour language offered in English
• The experience is private: only your group participates

Not included

• Bottled water
• Lunch

That last point is the one practical thing I’d fix yourself. It’s a long day for wine tasting, even with snack breaks, so plan to have water available somehow. You can always buy it near your pickup point or during the town stop.

Is it good value at $230.67 per person?

For a premium private wine day, the price makes more sense than it first sounds. You’re paying for:

• private access (not a big mixed group),
• sustained guide time across two major winery experiences,
• and a tasting lineup described as 9–10 wines with Cava plus barrel-aged bottles,
• plus comfort logistics (pickup, A/C vehicle, parking).

If your goal is just to taste a couple wines quickly, this may feel expensive. If you want the “how it’s made” story and you like learning as you taste, it’s the kind of day where the cost supports the experience, not just the brand name.

Timing, pacing, and the smooth logistics that matter on wine days

The duration is listed at about 5 to 6 hours, including transportation time. That’s a helpful detail because wine tours often hide the travel burn. Here, you’re told the time budget up front.

The day structure is clean:

• Start in Valencia at Plaça de Cánovas del Castillo, 11, L’Eixample (46005).
• Do a town stop first (Requena).
• Then move to the first major winery experience (Chozas Carrascal).
• Finish with the second winery (Sierra Norte), with possible day-of switching.
• Return back to the meeting point.

Pickup is handled by Mercedes pickup from hotels/B&Bs, and cruise ship passengers can tailor pickup and drop so you return on time (they explicitly say they guarantee return on time). If you’re staying in the old town, access by car may affect the closest pickup point, so be ready for a short walk from the door.

Small but important pacing note

The tastings are structured, but you’re still drinking. The “time went by fast” vibe makes sense because the day keeps moving—vineyard time, cellar walking, and tastings are all different mental tasks. Just don’t schedule anything tight immediately after.

Who this private wine tour suits best

This tour fits best if:

• you like guided wine education (especially fermentation, barrel aging, and Cava process),
• you want English explanations throughout,
• you’re happy with a private format where your group sets the pace,
• you enjoy pairing local food (embutido and cheese show up early) with wine tasting.

It’s also a good choice for couples or small groups who want a premium day without the pressure of joining a larger group schedule.

If you want a long sit-down lunch day or a big sightseeing checklist, you might find the format too tasting-focused.

Should you book Requena Somm. Private Vineyards / Premium Wine tasting?

I’d book it if you want a wine day that’s more than tasting room samples. The big selling point is the combination of private access, English-led guidance from Toni Martin, and tastings built around real production stories—vineyard to barrel to Cava process—plus a second winery that keeps variety without dragging.

I’d think twice if:

• you’re sensitive to time length (it’s 5 to 6 hours),
• you hate any dependence on opening times (Requena cave/shop),
• or you’re looking for lunch and free time rather than guided tastings.

If you’re the “teach me while I taste” type, this is the kind of day that makes Cava and Spanish wine regions feel clear, not confusing.

FAQ

How long is the Requena Somm. private wine tasting?

The total experience runs about 5 to 6 hours, and travel time is included in that total.

What does it cost per person?

The price is $230.67 per person.

Is pickup included, and can it be arranged for hotels or cruise ships?

Yes. Pickup is offered from various hotels/B&Bs in Valencia (and even out of town depending on car access), and cruise ship passengers can tailor pickup and the latest drop to return on time.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

How many wines will I taste during the tour?

You’ll enjoy two guided tastings totaling about 9 to 10 wines, including vintage Cava.

Are meals included?

Snacks are included (embutido, cheese, bread, plus estate extra virgin olive oil). Lunch is not included.

Are the winery visits guided?

Yes. The bodega visits are fully guided, including the Chozas Carrascal and Sierra Norte stops.

Can I add the Martán Caná Pastora/Pastorita tasting and olive oil en rama?

Yes, it’s an optional add-on at €25 per person, paid on the day subject to availability.

What is the cancellation policy?

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.

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