Inside Finca Calderón Enoresort, Requena Valencia: Wine Tasting, Local Tips & Interview
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Meet Alfredo Cobo - our (English) wine tour guide, born and raised in Requena, Valencia. His knowledge was exceptional.
What is Finca Calderón’s Story?
Nefelie Kalavrezou (Eco Travel Inspo):
Hi Alfredo! Thanks for coming on. Can you tell me a little bit about the story of Finca Calderón?:
Alfredo (Finca Calderón):
We bought Finca Calderón in 2015, for the necessity of growing up - as our previous wine cellar was getting too small for us. We were thinking of growing and expanding ourselves. This is why we decided to buy this Finca Calderón. Finca Calderón is also situated in a very strategic position as it’s very close to the highway to Valencia and also to Madrid. We are also in the middle of everything, so it’s great and a nice situation here. It’s 15 minutes away from Requena, 10 minutes away from Utiel (the train) so we are in the right position.
Nefelie Kalavrezou (Eco Travel Inspo):
Can you talk a little bit more about Requena and the history as well:
Alfredo (Finca Calderón):
With Requena, I was born here so I know a lot about Requena. Requena is a very old city - Muslims were here and it was already founded with another name. It was Roquena - because of the stones. We have plenty of history here. About the wine, the vineyards and our culture. We are in the Province of Valencia, but we are different from there (Valencia city) because of the climate.
And because of the food, we have an origin nomination and we are known all around Spain for our cold cuts (embutidos - cold meats) and wine. In Requena, there’s also a lot of history with Muslims and Romans. Previously, Romans were putting wine in the caves and you can even visit the caves. It's incredible.
Nefelie Kalavrezou (Eco Travel Inspo):
In the main town?
Alfredo (Finca Calderón):
Yes, yes - in the main town or old town even. It’s very beautiful and there are plenty of buildings that are beautiful.
Winemaking at Finca Calderón: Organic Practices and Regenerative Agriculture in Requena
Nefelie Kalavrezou (Eco Travel Inspo):
Great! We also just had an amazing wine tour with you now. You mentioned some of your approaches here or in general that your approaches here are prioritising sustainability. Can you share more?
Alfredo (Finca Calderón):
Yes - we are keeping the environment of the area as is. We are 100% organic here. We don’t use any chemical products on our vineyards. We don’t want to damage the environment, we want to come back to our roots and we don't want to lose these things. Especially nowadays, the climate is changing and it is getting harder. But we are working very hard - we have people everyday in the vineyards checking everything. We are keeping the same way as we did 100 years ago. We don’t want to lose this way of work.
Nefelie Kalavrezou (Eco Travel Inspo):
Yes, you’re preserving that heritage as well.
You also mentioned in the tour about your regenerative agriculture?
Alfredo (Finca Calderón):
Yes exactly. This is something we are working with. We are planting some plants in between the vineyards. These plants are helping us to drain the water. As the climate here doesn’t allow us to keep the water in the surface and the soil. So here it rains a lot but in a very short period of time. This doesn’t allow the water to go under and deep in the roots. The plants are helping to preserve the water and in spring time they flower - the flowers attract some insects and some life that we need in the vineyards in order to pollinise.
What Guests Love Most at Finca Calderón: Vineyard Views, Local Cuisine & a Beautiful Stay
Nefelie Kalavrezou (Eco Travel Inspo):
Amazing. Can you talk to me a little bit more about Finca Calderón? Any unique features that guests love?
Alfredo (Finca Calderón):
Yes, apart from the new building that we are making now. We are also keeping the old wine cellar and soon it will be open as a Museum for people to visit. Old tools, old tanks and keeping everything from how the wine was made. We are keeping the heritage.
Nefelie Kalavrezou (Eco Travel Inspo):
Incredible! For guests that come here, what do they enjoy the most?
Alfredo (Finca Calderón):
Guests enjoy the views the most for sure. To be here between nature and vineyards is amazing. They enjoy our buildings and installations and our rooms are completely new. The food is very good here. We are in an area where you can enjoy food like wine. We are a specialist in making wine, but we are also a specialist in making food and making people happy!
They're obsessed with our restaurant. This is also a complete experience. It is not only about wine or food. It’s everything - if you are here for 2-3 days. You are not only enjoying Finca Calderón, but you are enjoying the environment and everything.
Nefelie Kalavrezou (Eco Travel Inspo):
Absolutely. Would you say when it comes to the restaurant - is the food similar to your wine. Is it organic etc?
Alfredo (Finca Calderón):
Yes, our food is local and seasonal. We are changing our menu every 2-3 months. When it’s artichoke or asparagus season - lots of things are featured in our menu. We don’t work with frozen elements, only with fresh elements.
Local Tips from a Requena Native: What to See, Do & Experience Near Finca Calderón
Nefelie Kalavrezou (Eco Travel Inspo):
In terms of any guests that come here - what are local recommendations that people should do?
Alfredo (Finca Calderón):
I always advise people to go to Requena to look at the old village. It’s full of monuments and history and travels to the past completely. They can visit the caves as I mentioned before - it’s like another world! It's 500 years old. A town full of history!
Nefelie Kalavrezou (Eco Travel Inspo):
You mentioned you’re from Requena - born and raised?
Alfredo (Finca Calderón):
Yes, born and raised.
Nefelie Kalavrezou (Eco Travel Inspo):
What’s your favourite thing you like to do?
Alfredo (Finca Calderón):
For sure drinking wine and vineyards and going with my friends! And what we actually do here in Requena - most people in Requena do this: “Asado” like a “Barbacoa” - in Saturday mornings and lasts till the evening. Drinking in the evening and surrounded by people you love.
Nefelie Kalavrezou (Eco Travel Inspo):
Thank you! It was a pleasure meeting you!