The tradition of the wines of Fontanars dels Alforins

October 20, 2025

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The region of Fontanars dels Alforins, also known as Terres dels Alforins, is a territory full of winemaking history. Vine cultivation in this valley has been an important agricultural activity since ancient times: even in Iberian settlements, there is evidence of vine cultivation.
The microclimate, geography, and tradition have aligned to give the wines of Fontanars dels Alforins a distinct personality: considerable altitude (approximately between 600 and 700 meters above sea level) and soils with a loamy-sandy texture, gravelly, and shallow have allowed the vines to produce grapes of great character.
When we talk about the wines of Fontanars dels Alforins, we are referring to much more than just a geographical designation: we are talking about a land that has embraced the vine as an identity axis, and wineries that work to rescue, preserve, and project that heritage.

Winemaking history of the valley

Since the Iberian era (4th century BC), there is already evidence of vine cultivation in this area. During the Middle Ages and in the following centuries, viticulture consolidated as one of the agricultural engines of the valley. In fact, in the municipality of Fontanars dels Alforins, vine cultivation was predominant in dryland farming.
More recently, in the 20th century, the area had dozens of traditional wineries: for example, in 1940, Fontanars dels Alforins had about 64 wineries, with a total production of around 3 million liters.
Today, the area is being recognized as a quality subzone within the Valencia Designation of Origin, with wineries that combine tradition and modernity to produce wines of character that reflect our land.

What characterizes the wines of Fontanars dels Alforins?

Some key aspects that define these wines can be summarized as:

The terrain: soils divided into plots with a loamy-sandy texture, gravel, and shallow depth, forcing the vine to extract deeply, generating more complex grapes.

Altitude: the high-altitude plots on the estate favor a thermal oscillation (day-night) that affects the slow ripening of the grape.

The native presence of varieties such as Monastrell or Macabeo, which provide Mediterranean personality to the wine.

Landscape and dryland viticulture: many vines are strictly dry-farmed, with little intervention, reinforcing the “territorial” character of the wines.

The history of Vinya Alforí: from tradition to a winemaking project

When mentioning the words “wines of Fontanars dels Alforins,” the name Vinya Alforí cannot be missing. This winery is one of the references in the area, both for its historical trajectory and its commitment to quality and wine tourism.

Origins and evolution

The estate where the winery is located — the “Finca El Peller” — has been producing wine for more than 250 years, with traditional underground cellars and clay amphorae, following the Iberian-Roman tradition of the area. In 1988, Vicente Francés Mora acquired the estate, marking the beginning of a new stage.
In 2015, an ambitious project to recover the winery began, focused on bottling our own wines and converting the vineyard to organic farming to increase qualitative potential.
Since then, Vinya Alforí has 45 hectares on the estate, with vineyards of different ages (including a Monastrell plot over 80 years old) and located in different orientations: sunny slopes, shady areas, etc. The management is carried out respecting biodiversity and regenerating the soils.

Vinya Alforí’s proposal

More than producing wine, Vinya Alforí works so that each bottle bears witness to its landscape and history. It is defined as “the soul of the Mediterranean in every sip.” Our philosophy is based on:

Cultivating sustainably and organically to respect the environment.
Producing limited quality batches, prioritizing personality over volume.
Highlighting our own dryland vineyard, with old clones.
Making wines that reflect the typical characteristics of the Fontanars dels Alforins area.

Visits, tourism, and experience

Vinya Alforí is not just a winery that produces wine: it is also an experience space. It offers guided tours among the vineyards, winery tours, guided tastings, and immersion in the terroir of Fontanars dels Alforins.
Our winery has launched a wine tourism project that allows visitors to “walk through the vineyards, feel the land, and taste wines directly in the environment where they were born.”
For wine lovers or those seeking soulful getaways, the Vinya Alforí experience is clearly an added value: knowing the vineyard, the winery, the history, and understanding the meaning of wine in this Valencian corner.

Discovering the “wines of Fontanars dels Alforins” with Vinya Alforí

When you choose a wine from Vinya Alforí, you are opting for a product that encapsulates multiple dimensions: landscape, history, terroir, native grapes, and the hand of dedicated winemakers.

Range of wines and styles

Although the winery works with different brands and plots, the common elements are:

White wines from the Macabeo variety, with delicate fermentation and aging.
Red wines where Monastrell plays a key role.
Differentiated plots (Solana, Umbría) that reflect different orientations and soils.

Experience in the glass

You will discover wines that:

Have Mediterranean aromas, with notes of ripe fruit, white flowers, or local herbs.
On the palate, show freshness (thanks to altitude and climate), good volume, and character.
Convey the “sense of place”: they make you feel they come from a valley with history, altitude, and special soils.

Visiting Vinya Alforí

To truly experience the wines of Fontanars dels Alforins, we recommend:

Booking a guided tour: you will see the vineyards, the historic building, and modern facilities.
Participating in a guided tasting to appreciate the differences between plots and styles.
Walking among the vineyards of Finca El Peller: observe the altitude, the surrounding pine forests, and the natural environment.
Pairing the wines with local gastronomy: local products, typical Mediterranean dishes, landscape.

Why choose the wines of Fontanars dels Alforins?

There are several reasons why choosing these wines is worthwhile:

Authentic territory: not mass-produced wines in industrial areas; they come from land with tradition, climate influence, and mountain viticulture.
Climate-terroir-variety connection: altitude, soil, and native varieties combine to generate wines with distinctive character.
Specialist winery: Vinya Alforí presents itself as a wine specialist, with its own vineyards, ecological management, and clear quality focus.
Enriched wine tourism: visiting the winery allows consumers to know not only the final product but also the process, history, and environment. This connection adds value.
Living history: from clay amphorae over 250 years old to the current ecological recovery, these wines carry a narrative that enhances enjoyment.

Tips for enjoying and pairing

Here are some practical tips to get the most out of the wines of Fontanars dels Alforins:

Serve whites slightly chilled (but not ice-cold) to appreciate the fruit and freshness typical of high-altitude vineyards.
Red wines should be decanted if they are from more serious vintages, to open up the aromas of black fruit and Mediterranean spices.
Pair with local products: nearby meats, traditional local rice dishes, artisan cured meats, cheeses from the Valencian Community. This will enhance the experience.
Visit the winery: the experience on the estate transforms the perception of the wine. Seeing the plot, the soil, and the microclimate makes the wine “speak” more clearly.
Keep some bottles for the future: some higher-end lots may evolve positively thanks to smooth tannins and good structure.