Museo Bodegas Carmelitano
Winery and distillery in Benicàssim with a bottle museum, stills from 1896 and tasting; guided visits by booking.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Discalced Carmelite friars arrived in the 17th century at the Desierto de las Palmas, where they built a monastery. In the monastery's cellars they installed stills and, around 15 October 1896, began selling the first bottles of Licor Carmelitano, made with aromatic herbs from the area according to a formula that is still secret.
Because of the difficulty of transport, production was moved to the town of Benicàssim. In 1912 the present wineries and distilleries were founded, where artisanal production in copper stills continues and the range has been expanded with muscatel, altar wine, liqueurs and 119 London Dry Gin. In 1909 the liqueur had received a diploma of honour and a gold medal at the Exposición Regional Valenciana. The company was sold in 1991, although the congregation retained ownership of the firm.
The guided visit covers the bottle museum; a small museum of utensils used by the Carmelite Fathers; the liqueur room, with 1,700-litre American oak vessels (conos); the distillery, with its botanicals room and the stills from 1896; the steam boiler; the bottling room; and the sweet-wine room, with a press from 1912. A model of the production processes is also shown. The visit ends with a tasting of wines and liqueurs.
Highlights
- Stills from 1896
- Wine press from 1912
- Bottle museum
- Small museum of utensils used by the Carmelite Fathers
- Tasting of wines and liqueurs
Permanent exhibition
- Museo de la botella y museo de utensilios de los Padres Carmelitas – Winery rooms with historic bottles and small utensils used by the Carmelite Fathers, which are visited on the guided tour alongside the distillery.
- Operated by
- Carmelitano, S.A.U.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €12 |
|---|---|
| Premium visit (50 minutes) | €18Includes a premium tasting of vodka or premium gins. |
Classic visit of 30 minutes, €12; premium visit of 50 minutes, €18. Both are guided and include a tasting.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Shop with sweet wines, liqueurs and gift items.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 30 min |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Classic 30-minute visit and premium 50-minute visit, booked on the website. A “botanists' challenge” to guess the herbs is also offered. |
