Underwater-Aged Wine Tasting

Hacienda del Mar Meliá Collection, Estepona Spain

Smiling man cracking shellfish on boat with coastal backdrop.

Connect with the destination during your stay at Hacienda del Mar Meliá Collection, Estepona, Spain

A journey between sea and vineyard

The boat sails out along the coast, drops anchor off Punta Doncella, and the marine farm manager dives down to bring the bottles up from the seabed. It is a tasting with a story witnessed first-hand rather than simply heard about, paired with fresh local bites, a glass in hand and uninterrupted sea views all around.

Man in Cressi wetsuit pouring champagne on a boat deck, ocean backdrop.

Golden sunset reflects on ocean waves, silhouetting coastal mountains.

Glass of white wine, red grapes on wood board, open magazine, beige sofa.

Belondrade y Lurton white wine pouring into glass, ocean and palm trees.

A short transfer brings guests to the marina, where a private boat is waiting to set off towards Punta Doncella. Along the way comes the story of how the wines came to be aged underwater and what the sea does to them. At anchor, an expert diver descends to retrieve the submerged bottles and brings them straight to the deck, still cool from the water. The tasting follows onboard, each wine matched with something fresh and local: oysters, scallops or a glass of champagne. With the coastline of Estepona in view, it is an unhurried, hands-on way to enjoy the region's wine culture.

Duration: Approximately 3 hours.
Number of people: Maximum 6 people.
Please note: Bookings are required 48 hours in advance.
What's included: Private boat experience, introduction to the underwater ageing process, wine tasting and gourmet pairings (local oysters, scallops or champagne).

Serene sunset over ocean with paddleboarder, mountains, and gentle waves.

This is a tasting to take part in rather than simply attend. Sailing out, anchoring off the coast and watching the bottles surface from the seabed gives the whole experience a sense of occasion, and a story worth retelling. For guests who love good wine, good food and a touch of adventure, it offers something well beyond the usual cellar visit. There is real substance behind the spectacle. As the boat sails, guests learn how the temperature, pressure and movement of the sea shape the wine over time, and why this unusual method produces a character all its own.

Tasting the result moments after it leaves the water makes the connection between place and flavour tangible in a way that stays with them. The setting does much of the work. Onboard and at anchor, with open water on every side and the Estepona coastline as a backdrop, the mood is relaxed and quietly indulgent. The pairings are generous and the pace is unhurried. Participants come away not only with a memorable afternoon on the Mediterranean, but with a genuine appreciation for how the sea itself can become part of the winemaking.