This super little boutique winery is tucked away in the Jalon Valley of the Alicante region of Spain and is well worth seeking out. Run by German-born Arnold and his English wife Helen, the Bodega del Garroferal is a tiny, relatively new winery which grows the grapes just across the road from the bodega and, after handpicking, ferments them in open topped tanks.
Although grapes have been grown in the region since Roman times, the bodega was only set up in 2002 when the Arnolds relocated to Spain from South Africa where they were involved in wine growing. They offer a small range of delicious wines - three reds, three whites and one rose. My favourite was Rhapsody, a cabernet sauvignon/merlot blend with depth and complexity.
The wines are not currently available outside Spain so if you are on tour, make sure you bring some home or even buy just a couple to drink as the sun goes down. They are priced very reasonably between 3 and 7 euros (what a difference UK taxes and import duties make!).
Helen offers a sumptuous range of tapas to complement a pre-arranged wine tasting.
The Costa Blanca resorts of Alicante, Denia, Calpe, Javea, and Moraira are only a short 30 minute drive away from this rural idyll.
Peter Arnold winery, La Bodega del Garroferal, Ptda. Garroferal 7, Murla, 03792, Alicante, Spain; Tel: +34 96 558 1829 Movil: +34 660 87 11 69 Email: info@peterarnoldwines.com
Pictures of La Bodega del Garroferal, Murla
Bodega entrance
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