Bodegas Faelo

Bodegas Faelo is a family winery in Matola, a hamlet of the Campo de Elche, with more than a hundred years of vine-growing tradition. It is run by the fourth generation. Grandfather Rafael, "Faelo", began treading grapes in 1930 in the family's afollaor (treading trough); until 2000 the wine was sold in bulk and had never been bottled at the Casa-Bodega. Today it makes Camp d'Elx wines within the Alicante D.O.P., in a traditional country house.

How it makes its wine

It works its own land with biodynamic viticulture and ferments only with native yeasts, in 4,000-litre temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The best wine goes through new barrels before being bottled at the winery. Each vintage comes out in a limited number of numbered bottles. In the first half of September it holds the Festa de la Verema (grape harvest festival), with grape treading for children and adults; the date is announced on its website.

The visits

There are two. The tasting visit lasts about an hour and a half, goes round the grandfather's cellar, the pressing house, the vineyard, the fermentation room and the barrel room, and ends with four wines (white, rosé, red and sweet) and a plate of snacks: €20. The tapas-and-wine experience lasts about two hours, with five wines, canapés, a hot meat pie and fig, date and apricot bread: €28. For children there is a €12 menu, and gluten-free, lactose-free and vegetarian menus.

Bookings

Visits are Monday to Saturday by advance booking, for groups of up to 50 people, and are requested on the form on its website or on 655 856 898. The shop is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00 and on Saturdays from 10:00 to 15:00; it is closed on Sunday.