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Are you a wine lover planning a trip to the Costa Blanca? The award-winning wine making region of Jalon Valley is a fantastic spot for wine tasting that many visitors to the region miss out on. With its famous vineyards and family-run bodegas, it’s the perfect day out away from the busy beaches.
I’ve put together this guide to help you find the best wineries in Jalon and make the most of your wine tasting adventure in this beautiful Spanish wine region!
🍷 Book tickets for a guided local Jalon wine tour from €24 with Bodegas Riko here!
Why Jalón Valley is a wine region worth visiting
The Jalon Valley has been producing wines since Roman times, with its unique microclimate creating ideal conditions for growing grapes. Jalon is located between mountains that protect the valley from harsh weather, the area enjoys hot, dry summers and mild winters – perfect for viticulture.
What makes Jalon wines so distinctive is the combination of traditional methods and the local Moscatel grape variety. This sweet, aromatic grape thrives in the valley’s chalky soil and creates wines with incredible character.
The unique wines of Jalón Valley
What makes Jalon wines stand out from other Spanish wine regions? It’s partly the unusual mix of grape varieties grown here:
- Moscatel: The star of the valley, producing aromatic wines with distinctive floral notes and honey flavours
- Giró: An ancient red variety almost exclusive to this region, creating medium-bodied wines with soft tannins
- Merseguera: A white grape that produces crisp, fresh wines with citrus notes
- Monastrell: Creating powerful, rich red wines full of ripe fruit flavours
The valley is particularly famous for its sweet Moscatel wines and mistelas (fortified sweet wines), but don’t miss the dry whites and reds which are gaining recognition for their quality and value.
Many vineyards in Jalon still use traditional growing methods, with vines trained as low bushes (en vaso) rather than on wires. This old technique helps the vines survive the hot, dry summers by keeping the grapes closer to the moisture-retaining soil.
Jalón wineries
Bodegas Xaló
This is the most famous bodega in the area, and for good reason! Located right in the centre of Jalon town near the famous Jalon market, Bodegas Xaló functions as both a shop and a complete wine experience. Their wines have won many awards – too many to list here, so I compel you to visit and try them!
The bodega is actually a cooperative owned by local farmers in the valley, so when you buy here, you’re supporting the entire local wine community.
Xalo Bodega’s opening hours:
- 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM
- 3:30 PM – 7:30 PM
When you visit, you’ll immediately notice the massive wooden vats filled with their famous wines. Many locals come here with empty containers to fill up directly from these vats – it’s how the Spanish have bought their wine for generations!
Xalo Bodega’s wine experience
For just €15, you can join their guided tour and wine tasting event. This nearly 2-hour experience is fantastic value and incredibly informative. The tasting session teaches you about the different wine production methods, and they serve excellent tapas alongside the wines.
Both Spanish and English language tours are available, but you’ll need to book in advance on their website.
Even if you don’t have time for a full tour, it’s worth stopping by to buy some of their excellent wines, local honey, olive oil, and other regional products. The prices are very reasonable, especially for the quality you’re getting.
Bodegas Riko y Loterías
This family-run winery offers an special group wine experience. Located in Jalon town, this small but passionate bodega produces some truly outstanding wines.
Bodegas Riko y Loterías opening hours:
- Monday: 9:30 am–1:30 pm
- Tuesday-Friday: 9:30 am–1:30 pm, 4–8 pm
- Saturday: 9:30 am–2 pm
- Sunday: Closed
Bodega Riko’s wine experience
For €24 per person, you can enjoy a complete wine experience that includes:
- A visit to their vineyards
- A tour of the winery
- Wine tasting of their wines and mistelas (sweet dessert wines)
🍷 Book tickets for a guided local Jalon wine tour from €24 with Bodegas Riko here!
What makes this winery special is the personal touch. Marina, one of the owners, often leads the tours herself, sharing her family’s winemaking history that stretches back to when the Moors were in the region. Her passion for the land and winemaking tradition is infectious.
You can walk through the vineyards with Marina and her dog Winnie, followed by seeing the presses and cellar before ending with a generous tasting session at the family home.
The wines here are often described as fresh, clean and modern – a perfect reflection of the Jalon Valley’s winemaking renaissance.
Winery Museum Maserof
The Maserof Winery Museum combines history and wine in a unique setting – this is the place to visit if you want to understand (and participate) in the rich winemaking heritage of the region while having a thoroughly enjoyable day out.
Its located about a 10 minutes’ drive south of Jalon town on the road towards Bernia mountain.
Winery Museum Maserof opening hours:
- Saturday and Sunday only: 1pm – 6pm
- Experience duration: Approximately 5-6 hours
Winery Museum Maserof’s wine experience
This amazing spot offers a guided tour of an old Roman Villa and the Wine Museum, where you’ll learn about traditional winemaking practices that have been passed down through countless generations.
During grape harvest season, visitors can participate in traditional candlelit grape treading – just as they did in Roman times! This hands-on experience is something you won’t forget.
What makes Maserof truly special is the atmosphere. The host, Caroline, creates a warm, welcoming environment where history, good food, and excellent wine come together. Many visitors describe it as quirky, combining elements of a winery, museum, and restaurant in one unforgettable package.
The full experience includes a 5-course meal with red wine and sangria included in the €49 price (water and white wine are extra). Be prepared for some audience participation with singing and dancing – it’s all part of the fun!
Important note: They accept cash only, so make sure you come prepared.
Planning your Jalon wine tour
For the best experience, I’d recommend spending a full day in the Jalon Valley to properly enjoy the wineries without rushing. You could start with a morning tour at Bodegas Xaló, have lunch in Jalon town, then visit Bodegas Riko in the afternoon.
If you’re visiting on a weekend, save Maserof for a special evening experience to round off your wine adventure.
Most of the wineries recommend booking in advance, especially for guided tours and tastings, so it’s worth planning ahead to avoid disappointment.
And of course, if you’re driving, make sure to have a designated driver or consider booking an organised tour so everyone can enjoy the wine tasting to the fullest!
