Wine & Fish

La Vila Gastronómica is adding a new event to its calendar centered on one of its most notable local products—fish—and its pairing with wine. “Wine and Fish” will be held in September at Barbera dels Aragonés Park and will feature the participation of about twenty local wineries, restaurants, and businesses.

Rosa Llorca, the councilwoman for Tourism and Commerce, explained that “we wanted to find a way to set apart an event like the wine fair held in our town. In this case, by promoting a local product that is very much our own: fish.”

“Wine and Fish” takes place in September at Barbera dels Aragonés Park. Tickets can be purchased in advance at participating stores or on the day of the event at the box office for 20 euros.

The event is organized by the Villajoyosa City Council and Bodegas Fincal, with support from the La Vila Joiosa Fishermen’s Guild and the Alicante Provincial Council, along with GALP La Marina (La Marina Local Fisheries Action Group).

At the 2025 event, the culinary festival began at 6:30 p.m. when the doors opened. At 7:00 p.m., a 150-kilo tuna was cut up using the “ronqueo” technique—a unique demonstration that was held for the first time in Villajoyosa. The “ronqueo” is a traditional technique for cutting up tuna that allows for maximum use of the fish; it gets its name from the characteristic sound—similar to a snore—that can be heard during the process.

From 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., attendees were able to enjoy the culinary offerings provided by the Mercat’s restaurants and shops, as well as the wineries. From 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., the event continued with live music and tastings of other beverages.
“Wine and Fish” was held as part of the 25th anniversary of La Vila Gastronómica, the brand that encompasses all the gastronomic activities organized by the Villajoyosa City Council in collaboration with the hospitality sector, the chocolate industry, and the Fishermen’s Guild, with the aim of highlighting the town’s culinary heritage and its seafaring and chocolate-making traditions, as well as promoting its locally sourced products.