Old tavern air, serious wine lessons. This private tasting meal takes place on the first floor above El Rinconcillo, Seville’s oldest bar (opened in 1670), and the dining room keeps the bare brick walls and beamed ceilings style you expect from old Andalusian rooms. I like how the setting feels historic without being stuffy, while the meal stays practical and focused on pairing wine with food.

I also love the way the host—Roger with A Question of Taste—talks through Spanish wines with clear comparisons and visual aids like maps, especially around sherry-style ageing. One consideration: the meal is built around planned pairings (ham, prawns, meat, cheese, desserts), so if you want big swaps or you avoid alcohol, you’ll need to say so early and ask for alternatives.

Key things that make this Seville tasting meal work

• El Rinconcillo location: Start in Seville’s landmark old bar area, then head upstairs to a restaurant that keeps original features.
• Food-and-wine pairing is the point: Each course is chosen to match different wines, not just served alongside them.
• Jerez + other Spanish styles: You’ll normally taste wines from Jerez along with Spanish reds and whites.
• Sherry-style ageing explained: The tasting focuses on how those wines age, and why that changes the flavor.
• A real host, not a script: Roger brings wines to life and uses simple visuals to help you compare.
• Flexibility if you ask: They can vary wines to suit your wishes, and you can request different dishes if needed.

El Rinconcillo’s upstairs dining room: historic setting, easy vibe

Seville has plenty of pretty courtyards and cathedral views. But this experience starts with something more lived-in: El Rinconcillo, opened in 1670, with that classic old-bar feel. The tasting meal happens just above it in a restaurant that keeps as much original character as possible, including bare brick and beamed ceilings. That matters because wine tasting can turn formal fast. Here, the room feels like it was made for conversation.

You meet at C. Gerona, 40, in the Casco Antiguo (old town), and the experience finishes back at the start. If you’re already walking the historic center, the location is a big plus. It’s also near public transportation, which helps if you’re mixing this with other plans in Seville rather than doing it as the only thing you’ll do that day.

What you’re really tasting: 2.5 hours built around wine regions and aging

This is a private, guided tasting meal running about 2 hours 30 minutes. The pacing is designed around the way wine works: you taste, you listen, you compare, then you eat what the pairing was built for. You’re not stuck rushing through lots of unrelated sips. Instead, the host spends time explaining the wines and where they come from.

Here’s what that explanation usually covers:

• how wine regions differ in style
• which grapes are involved
• how wines are made
• and the key “why” behind sherry-style ageing

That last part is the hook for many people. Sherry-style wines aren’t just “another kind of Spain.” The way they’re aged creates flavors you can’t get from many other winemaking paths. You’ll learn how that aging process shapes what you taste, so even if you’re not a wine nerd today, you’ll walk away understanding the logic behind the flavors.

And because it’s private, you can ask follow-up questions without feeling like you’re interrupting a group schedule. The host also brings visuals to help you compare wines and ideas. One review specifically noted maps of wineries, which is exactly the kind of “small support” that helps the lesson stick.

The wine lineup: Jerez sherries plus Spanish reds and whites

The tastings normally combine Jerez-region wines with Spanish red and white wines. That mix gives you a broader Spanish picture instead of locking you into only one style. Jerez is the headline, though, and the host puts emphasis on how those wines age and why their flavors develop the way they do.

One thing I like about this setup: it’s not random. The wines are chosen so each course can make sense. If you’ve ever done a tasting where the pours arrive first and the food later feels like an afterthought, you’ll appreciate how this is built as one experience.

They also say they can vary the wines to match your wishes. That’s useful if you already know what you like—or if you’re not sure what you want but want the host to steer you.

Language is English, and the experience is offered as a private tour/activity, meaning only your group participates. That private format is part of why the lesson feels less like a lecture and more like a shared meal with guidance.

The food lineup: Iberian ham, Huelva prawns, meat, cheese, and desserts

The tasting meal is serious about pairing food with wine. The plan centers on Spanish classics that match the flavors you’ll be tasting.

What you can expect to see included:

• Acorn-fed Iberian ham
• Fine prawns from the Huelva coastline
• An excellent meat dish
• Spanish cheese
• Typical desserts

Each dish is selected to be a good match for the wines being served. That pairing focus is one of the most praised aspects of the experience. People don’t just say the food was good—they note that the food worked especially well with the wine tastings. It’s the difference between “we ate” and “we ate for a reason.”

A practical tip: since you’ll be eating multiple courses, don’t schedule a heavy dinner immediately afterward. Plan a slow evening. You’ll taste alcohol during the meal, and the portions are meant to carry you through both lunch and dinner, plus coffee/tea.

Also, if you’d rather have different dishes, they encourage you to ask. They can vary the wines to suit your wishes, and they’ll work with you if there are specific preferences.

Lunch, dinner, and coffee/tea: how 2.5 hours gets packed

This experience includes lunch and dinner, plus coffee and/or tea. That sounds like a lot for roughly 2.5 hours, and it is—so the timing is likely arranged as a tight sequence of tasting courses rather than a long sit-down.

For your planning, think of it less like a casual “drink and snack” and more like a guided meal with multiple stops within the same setting: you’ll taste, eat the next pairing, then taste again. The included structure is a big part of the value because you’re paying for both the wine and the full meal, not just a couple pours.

Also note what’s not included: soda/pop isn’t part of the package. Water is common at meals, but the only excluded item named here is soda/pop—so if you want a specific non-alcohol drink, plan on paying extra.

Roger and A Question of Taste: the host experience that makes it click

The star of this kind of tour is rarely the glass. It’s the person who connects you to the wine. Here, that connection comes through Roger and A Question of Taste.

From the way people describe the experience, his approach has three strengths:

• he explains the differences between Spanish wine styles in plain terms
• he chooses wines that are interesting enough to feel special, not just safe
• he uses simple visuals—like maps—to anchor what he’s saying

One review also noted that he selected some wines from his personal cellar. That detail matters because it suggests the tasting isn’t built from whatever’s cheapest on a shelf. It’s built from what fits the lesson and the meal.

And if you’re the type who worries about feeling out of place at wine events, the private format helps. You’re in your own group, with an English host, and you can ask the questions you actually want answered.

Pickup, meeting point, and real-world logistics (without stress)

You can either:

• meet at El Rinconcillo, or
• get pickup from where you’re staying (pickup is offered)

The tour begins and ends at the same meeting point, which simplifies your day. No jumping around to different neighborhoods for the main portion—your anchor is El Rinconcillo in the Casco Antiguo.

Duration is approximate at 2 hours 30 minutes, so give yourself a bit of buffer if you’re connecting this to another reservation. If you’re tight on time, the start/end at the same place is your friend.

One more practical note: service animals are allowed, and it’s near public transportation. Most people can participate.

Price and value: what $183.35 is buying you

The price is $183.35 per person. That’s not pocket change, so it’s fair to ask what you’re actually paying for.

In this case, you’re paying for:

• a private guided tasting experience
• alcohol included
• lunch and dinner included
• coffee and/or tea included
• a structured pairing experience with Spanish wines (usually Jerez + reds + whites)
• time with an English-speaking host who explains regions, grapes, winemaking, and sherry-style ageing

The value angle here is that you’re not just tasting; you’re eating and learning during a real meal. If you price out a guided tasting plus multiple courses in central Seville, the math often gets closer than it looks at first glance.

What could reduce value for some people: if you only want a light tasting and you dislike the idea of a full multi-course meal, this may feel like too much. But if you like wine and you want a guided food experience in an old Seville setting, the inclusions do a lot of work.

Who should book this Seville wine tasting dinner

I’d point you to this if:

• you want Spanish wine education focused on region and ageing, not just drinking
• you care about pairing food and wine and want someone to handle the choices
• you’re in Seville for a short time and want one high-impact activity with a clear start/end
• you prefer a private format where you can ask questions

It’s also a solid fit for couples and small groups because the experience is built around a guided conversation, not a crowd.

It may be less ideal if:

• you don’t drink alcohol at all (alcohol is included)
• you hate the idea of eating multiple courses in one sitting
• you have very complex dietary restrictions and need lots of customization (they say you can ask for dish changes and wine variations, but the core experience is still pairing-driven)

Quick tips to get the most from your tasting meal

Here’s how to make this experience feel worth every euro:

• Ask about wine preferences early. They say you can vary wines to your wishes, so speak up before the first pour.
• Don’t be shy about requesting dish swaps. If you’d rather have different dishes, ask during the experience.
• Pace yourself. Since you’ll have alcohol plus lunch and dinner, plan a slow evening after.
• Use the visuals and explanations. If the host shows maps or reference images, those are there to help you connect regions to flavors.

And one interesting real-world note: in at least one instance, when the usual restaurant setup was unavailable, the host adapted by meeting the group elsewhere and shifting the plan to tastings and tapas in the neighborhood. That suggests flexibility when something changes on the ground—always a comfort in old-town Seville, where plans can get bumped.

Should you book this private wine tasting at El Rinconcillo?

If you want a Seville activity that mixes authentic atmosphere with serious pairing and clear education, I think this is a smart booking. You’re in a historic place above Seville’s oldest bar, you get a guided wine story built around Jerez and sherry-style ageing, and the meal is designed to match what you’re tasting. The price is high enough to matter, but the inclusions (alcohol, lunch, dinner, coffee/tea) and the private hosting are what justify it.

Book it if you’re hungry for a full experience, not just a quick drink stop. Skip it if you want something casual and light, or if you’d rather avoid alcohol altogether.

FAQ

Where does the wine tasting meal start?

You meet at El Rinconcillo, C. Gerona, 40, Casco Antiguo, 41003 Sevilla, Spain.

Do you offer pickup from my hotel?

Yes. Pickup is offered from where you are staying, or you can meet directly at El Rinconcillo.

How long is the experience?

The duration is about 2 hours 30 minutes.

Is it private or shared with other people?

It’s private, meaning only your group participates.

What language is the tour offered in?

It’s offered in English.

What food and drinks are included?

The experience includes alcoholic beverages, lunch, dinner, and coffee and/or tea.

Are soda or soft drinks included?

No. Soda/pop is not included.

Can the wines or dishes be adjusted to my preferences?

Yes. They can vary the wines to suit your wishes, and if you would prefer other dishes, you should ask.

What if I cancel?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time.