42 minute read
Wine Regions of Portugal
www.wineberia.com
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| THE IBERIAN PENINSULA |
TOP 10 WINE REGIONS
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- PORTUGAL - 1. Vinho Verde|2. Douro|3. Bairrada|4. Lisboa|5. Alentejo
- SPAIN - 6. Rías Baixas |7. Ribera del Duero|8. Rioja |9. Priorat |10. Jerez
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1. VINHO VERDE
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| VINHO VERDE |
THE REGION
Vinho Verde is produced in Portugal’s largest wine region, locatedin the northwest of the country and bordered at north by the riverMinho and at west by the Atlantic Ocean. Intense precipitation and mild temperatures throughout the year contribute to the region’s “green atmosphere” that inspired the wine name: Vinho Verde direct translation is Green Wine! From this unique region comes a unique white wine extremely fresh, young, light, and aromatic that suits all kinds of occasions as it matches perfectly seafood, fish, salads, and even sushi. In recent years, the quality of Vinho Verde has improved tremendously due to the continuous training and renewed enthusiasm amongst producers. The traditional method of growing vineyards on top of trees and pergolas has been replaced in many parts by modern and wired rows that allow grapes to become healthier through increased sunlight and breeze exposure. Nine sub-regions compose Vinho Verde DOC, all named after towns and rivers: Monção and Melgaco, Cávado, Lima, Ave, Basto, Sousa, Baião, Amarante and Paiva.
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| VINHO VERDE |
Monção and Melgaço are located in the northern part of the Vinho Verde region, a place with lower rainfall and higher temperature when compared with the rest of the territory. In this microclimate, Alvarinho is the most popular grape variety, producing a full-bodied dry wine with a complex and fresh aroma reminiscent of citrus fruits and peaches.
Travelling south, you will find the sub-regions Cávado, Lima and Ave that produce a very fresh and aromatic wine, often with a scent of citrus. Main grape varieties used here are Loureiro, Arinto, Trajadura.
Basto, Sousa and Baião sub-regions also produce dry light wines with rich flavours and mineral presence in tasting.
Finally, Amarante and Paiva are the sub-regions known for their fresh, young and highly aromatic red wines.
Quinta das Arcas
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| VINHO VERDE |
WINE ESTATES
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1. QUINTA DAS ARCAS Tours / Trails / Shop
4440-392 Sobrado, Valongo | GPS: 41º 12' 2.39'' N, 8º 27' 17.38'' W
www.quintadasarcas.com
Quinta das Arcas is a wine state with around 140 hectares of vineyard based on Vinho Verde’s typical grape varieties: Alvarinho, Trajadura, Arinto, Loureiro, Vinhão and Espadeiro. Wine production combines traditional and modern techniques, both focused in protecting the habitat and the species that live in the region. Beside the typical wine and tasting tour, visitors can also enjoy the artisanal cheese made from the milk produced in the farm.
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| VINHO VERDE |
2. QUINTA DA AVELEDA Tours / Shop / Meals
Rua da Aveleda, 2, 4560-570 Penafiel | GPS: 41º 16' 10.50'' N, 8º 16' 23.96'' W
www.aveledaportugal.pt
Located at the heart of Vinho Verde region, Quinta da Aveleda is a 205 hectare estate composed by vineyards and beautiful gardens where you can spot ancient and rare species of trees that give to the place a mystical atmosphere. The winery tour will allow you to learn all the stages of the wine production, followed by a wine and artisanal cheese tasting produced in the farm. In 2011, Aveleda was awarded with the international “Best of Wine Tourism Award”, in the “Architecture, Parks and Gardens” category.
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| VINHO VERDE |
3. QUINTA DA LIXA Hotel /Restaurant / SPA / Tours / Shop
Monte Vila Cova da Lixa, 4615-658 Lixa | GPS: 41º 19" 38' N / 8º 9" 5' W
www.quintadalixa.pt
Quinta da Lixa's Wine Tourism is integrated on the Vinho Verde Route,and is also one of the founders of this route. This wine estate allowsvisitors to learn more about the winemaking and bottling process with avisit to the winery, or discover the grape varieties with the vineyardtrail. Last but not least, you will have the opportunity to improve theunderstanding of the different types of Quinta da Lixa wines in atasting session conducted by the resident winemaker.Quinta da Lixa has also hotel Monverde that helps to boost theexperience of wine appreciation, the culture and the surroundings ofthe region.
4. CASA DE SEZIM Hotel / Restaurant / Tours / Shop
R. de Sezim, 4810-909 Guimarães | GPS: 41º 24' 53.71'' N, 8º 19' 42.81'' W
www.sezim.pt
Casa de Sezim offers visitors vineyard and winery tours to learn al the secrets of their famous Vinho Verde that is being produced since the middle ages. The property is very appreciated for the enormous rooms containing an exquisite collection of 19th Century French panoramic papers that blend perfectly with the monumentality of the manor façade. Opened all the year round, Casa de Sezim also offers a choice of eight spacious and comfortable bedrooms, a swimming pool, tennis court as well as walking trails through the surrounding hills.
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| VINHO VERDE |
5. PALÁCIO DA BREJOEIRA Tours / Shop / Wine Tasting
EN 101 – Pinheiros, 4950-660 Monção | GPS: 42º 2' 30.98'' N, 8º 29' 34.13'' W
www.palaciodabrejoeira.pt
The Brejoeira Palace is part of an eighteen hectare wine estate that throughout the years has been producing the finest wines, mostly from the typical Alvarinho grape variety. The palace is a beautiful neo-classical building from the 19th century that opened to the public in 2010, and since then, thousands of visitors have been discovering its historical secrets. Beside the wine tours, we recommend visitors to live the most of this historical experience by taking some time to visit the chapel, the garden and surrounding woods
6. SOLAR DE SERRADE Hotel / Tours / Meals / Shop
Mazedo, 4950-280 Monção | GPS: 42º 3' 28.00'' N, 8º 28' 44.00'' W
www.solardeserrade.pt
In the Alto Minho region stands Solar de Serrade, a beautiful 17thcentury manor house that offers all the comfort required by the mostdemanding visitors. Guests will be delighted to stay at the propertyhotel and enjoy the sauna after a full day of activities: vineyard andwinery tours, participate in typical farm chores, visit the chapel, playtennis or just stroll through the gardens.The accommodation includes breakfast and you can also request mealservices by booking in advance.
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| VINHO VERDE |
BEYOND WINE
Life itself is a journey, and Guimarães, the birthplace of Portugal, is a great starting point to explore this beautiful region rich in history, culture and nature. In 2012 Guimarães was crowned the European Capital of Culture, and in the same year, the neighboring city of Braga was considered the European Capital of Youth. The area offers abundant cultural relics, colourful festival processions filled with contagious excitement, rich gastronomy and ancient manor houses that recently have been converted into hotels. Lose yourself in the comforting sights of ancient churches and antique monuments that will take your breath away.
Guimarães
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| VINHO VERDE |
Outdoor Activities
In a region where Nature rules, there is an abundance of outdoor activities to choose from: watersports, such as rafting in Gerês or kite surfing on the magnificent coast that stands west. Take in the refreshing scenery of the beaches on the coastline, the mountains coated in lush green vegetation, recovered manor houses, the awe-inspiring blend of traditional monumental and modern architecture, rich gastronomy and never ending festivities.
Festivities
One of the outstanding features that make Guimarães irresistible to tourists is the festive atmosphere that hangs over the city permanently, that helped the city to conquer the status of European Capital of Culture in 2012. The streets of Guimarães become agog with festivities as crowds of people participate in the pilgrimage of S. Torcato during the 1st Sunday of July, where the colourful allegorical displays and processions depict scenes from the Saint’s life. And on the 3rd of May in Barcelos, you can also participate in the pilgrimage dedicated to the sacredness of the Lord of the Crosses.
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2. DOURO
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| DOURO |
THE REGION
Land of the famous Port wine, Douro is also producing world class
dry reds, whites and rosés due to the talent of the local winemakersthat have learned through times to bring out the best of a unique regionrecognised by UNESCO as World Heritage.Located in the northeast of the country surrounded by mountainranges, the famous terraced vineyards along the Douro River are aresult of the human effort in producing quality wine under verychallenging conditions. The schist soil increases even more theproducer’s difficulties, but it is also a key element in providing thesugar and colour concentrated musts that origin the distinct taste andaroma of the region’s wine.For centuries, Douro growers have been focused in producing highlyacclaimed fortified Ports, but in recent years, the region is also beingrecognized for its red and white wines. This is the reason why twoindividual DOCs are located in the same area: Port and Douro’sunfortified wines.The sub-regions of Douro are divided in Baixo Corgo at West, DouroSuperior at East and Cima Corgo in the centre, all of them with distinctaltitude and sun exposure.
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• Baixo Corgo (west) is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean with higher precipitation and moist
THE that helps
REGION to fertilize the soil and create theperfect environment to produce not only Port but also table wines;
• Cima Corgo (centre), where the weather can be described asMediterranean, grapes have higher sugar concentration, perfect forthe vintage production;
• Douro Superior (east): the summers are extremely hot andcontribute to the production of fortified Moscatel, sparkling andwhite wines (mainly in highlands);
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| DOURO |
WINE ESTATES
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4 51. QUINTA DA PACHECA Hotel / Restaurant / Tours / Shop
Cambres, 5110-424 Lamego | GPS: 41º 9' 15.69'' N, 7º 48' 16.49'' W
www.quintadapacheca.com
Quinta da Pacheca is one of the oldest wine estates in the Douro region, and famous for being the first “Quinta” to bottle its own wine brand. At the heart of the property, you’ll find an 18th century manor house that was restored and converted into a Boutique Hotel in 2009, offering visitors a vast array of gastronomic and oenological activities blending rural charm with contemporary comfort. Following the guided tour of the winery, you can have a traditional meal at the restaurant or just head to the wine shop to purchase exquisite regional products and Quinta da Pacheca wines.
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| DOURO |
2. QUINTA DO VALLADO Hotel / Restaurant / Tours / Shop
Vilarinho dos Freires, 5050-364 Peso da Régua | GPS: 41º 10' 21.44'' N, 7º 45' 0.08'' W
www.quintadovallado.com
Established in 1716, Quinta do Vallado is one of the oldest and mostfamous Douro Valley "Quintas“, and since many years, it has beenproducing the wine commercialized by the widely known Ferreira PortHouse. The property lies on the banks of the Corgo River, close to thePeso da Régua town, and its vineyards are divided according theirage: 6 – 15 years (50 ha) and 80 year old (20 ha).Quinta do Vallado has a 13 room hotel, all of them equipped with A/C,TV and Wi-Fi access. The estate has a stunning swimming pool andoffers multiple activities such as walks, bicycle rides, boat trips, fishingsessions, picnics, cooking classes and wine tastings. Also available isfree parking and transfer service to and from the airport.
3. QUINTA DO CRASTO Restaurant / Tours / Shop
Gouvinhas, 5060-063 Sabrosa | GPS: 41º 9' 54.2'' N, 7º 37' 41.9'' W
www.quintadocrasto.pt
Quinta do Crasto is a 130 hectare estate located on the right bank ofthe Douro River, between Regua and Pinhão. With its exceptionallocation just above the Douro River, the estate´s swimming pooldesigned by the renowned Portuguese architect Souto Moura, hasbeen the reason for many visits and a lot of national and internationalmedia reports over the last years.
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Quinta do Crasto offers a wide range of activities: wine tastings, traditional meals in the restaurant and boat rides along the Douro River. All the programs end with a visit to the wine shop, where Quinta do Crasto regional products are available for purchasing.
4. QUINTA DO PÉGO Hotel / Restaurant / Tours / Shop
EN 222, Valença do Douro, 5120-493 Tabuaço | GPS: 41º 9' 42.05'' N, 7º 34' 15.72'' W
www.quintadopego.com
Quinta do Pégo is located in the Douro sub-region of Cima Corgo,near the town of Pinhão, at the heart of the area classified as WorldHeritage by UNESCO.
Besides the traditional wine tours, the estatealso offers a modern four-star hotel, restored from the ground during2009. Here you can have a nice traditional meal at the restaurant orenjoy the exceptional panoramic view of the Douro region's terraceswhile bathing in the pool.In 2011, the property won the Best Wine Tourism Award in the“Accommodation” category.
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| DOURO |
5. QUINTA DO SEIXO Tours / Picnic / Shop
Valença do Douro, 5120-495 Tabuaço | GPS: 41º 10' 0,6'' N, 7º 33' 35,9'' W
www.sandeman.com
In the heart of the Douro Valley, with an astonishing view over the riverand its steep terraced vineyards, Sandeman’s Quinta do Seixo WineCentre is ready to welcome you. Following the Douro River fromRégua to Pinhão, you’ll spot the 99 hectare vineyards, planted mostlywith traditional Douro grape varieties that are used to produce bothPort and Douro Doc Wines. At the state-of-the-art winery, you’ll learnall about the production methods that have been constantly evolvingthroughout the centuries, which result in a perfect mix betweentradition and modernity.For outdoor activities you should not miss to have a picnic at thevineyard, where you can taste traditional food while enjoying thepanoramic view of the valley and the river.Throughout the years, Quinta do Seixo has been collecting awardsfrom the wine industry: "Best New Private Project" from Turismo dePortugal and Best of Wine Tourism in the "Architecture, Parks andGardens" just to name a few.
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PORT WINE CELLARS
Port is produced from grapes grown and processed in the demarcated Douro region. The wine produced is then fortified by the addition of a neutral grape spirit known as aguardente in order to stop the fermentation, leaving residual sugar in the wine, and to boost the alcohol content. The wine is then aged, often in barrels stored in a Lodge (meaning "cellar") as is the case in Vila Nova de Gaia, near Oporto before being bottled and shipped to various markets around the world. Most of the port lodges date back to the 1700´s and 1800´s and they are supremely charming with old cellars, vintage casks and great views over the river. You will discover the many pleasures of port today, tasting the main port wine styles including White Port, Ruby, LBV, Tawny and Vintage Port.
Ribeira, Porto
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| DOURO |
CÁLEM Opens daily May- Oct. 10-19; Nov- Apr 10 – 18
www.calem.pt
Tour starts with the museum, where you can find out more about the Douro demarcated Region, the production of Port Wine and the history of Cálem House. After that, you’ll be guided through the cellars to discover more about the unique characteristics of each type of Port Wine.
SANDEMAN
Open every day. Mar-Oct 10-12:30 &14-18 / Nov-Feb 9:30-12:30 & 14-17:30
www.sandeman.com
Majestically situated across the Douro river, looking toward the historic centre of Porto, in a granite building dated 1797, The House of Sandeman invites you to an experience full of mystery and seduction, in a setting which provides a traditional yet cosmopolitan atmosphere. The Sandeman Museum transports visitors to London in 1790, when George Sandeman, a young Scotsman, decided to start selling Porto and Sherry wines. An impressive collection of paintings, photographs, ceramics, antique bottles and other memorabilia bring this fascinating history to life with an remarkable exhibition: Sandeman, the art of a brand.
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| DOURO |
OFFLEY Opens every day from Mar to Oct: 10 –12:30 & 2–6
Visit Offley Cellars
This House was founded by William Offley in 1737 under the guidance of Joseph James Forrester, who was a prominent figure in Port history. If you’re lucky enough to visit during their open season (closed from November to February), you’ll get a glimpse into one of the oldest and most influential Port Houses in the city. Tours are given through the cellars where you’ll learn the story of Baron Forrester while perusing the barrels aging in the cellar.
TAYLOR’S Monday to Sunday: 10 – 18
www.taylor.pt
You will be given the opportunity to learn about the fascinating history of the House of Taylor’s – now in its fourth century – making it one of the oldest Port companies. Upon completing the tour, guests will taste two Port wines - Extra Dry White and Late Bottled Vintage (LBV). Afterwards, relax on the terrace with magnificent views over the city of Oporto.
RAMOS PINTO
May-Oct daily & Apr (Mon-Fri): 10-18; Nov-Mar (Mon-Fri): 9-17
www.ramospinto.pt
Housed in a beautiful yellow building founded by Adriano RamosPinto in 1880, this company stands out among the Port houses on themain street. A tour of the cellars also includes a visit through themuseum that houses a collection of art and items from the house’slong history. The tour ends with a tasting of two Port wines, a rubyand a tawny, presented in a lounge area with barrels for tables.
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| DOURO |
BEYOND WINE
Douro River Cruise
Indulge yourself in a boat trip to enjoy the beautiful sights of the many wine estates located on the Douro river margins. The journey along this magnificent river will take you back to the 19th century, when this route was used for transporting large casks of wine from the farms way down to the coastal towns of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia. There are many options to cruise the river, from taking a Rabelo boat for a short trip, to stay on a boat hotel for a few days. Whatever choice you make, the awesome terraced hillsides of the Douro valley will simply take your breath away.
Train trips
You may not have been privileged to ever travel on steam and dieseltrain like they did back in the early 20’s, but this is about to change
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as you embark on a trip along the Douro line that passes through 26 tunnels and 30 bridges alongside the river. Sit back and appreciate the 30 Km/hr speed ride and let your adventurous side be set free to explore the stunning natural beauty that the region has to offer.
Gastronomy
When you sit at table in Douro, you have to understand the level of care and standards poured into making delicious regional dishes: the mouthwatering bôla, sausages, cheese made from cow and sheep milk or Parma ham, the variety is abundant. Enjoy the traditional lamb stew, river fish, eel stew paired with “malandrinho rice” and oven baked potatoes. And don’t forget to leave some room to top up the meals with delicious convent sweets, olive oil cookies, cavacas, Teixeira biscuit and Santa Clara pastries.
Festivities
Frankly speaking, in this region festivals are an all year affair, and there is hardly a week without sounds of music and festivities signaling the celebration of one patron or another.
Thinking you have seen enough festivals? Wait till you see true festivity with Lanzarim Carnival in Lamego and the Marian pilgrimages, such as Our Lady of Remédios, Our Lady of Socorro (Peso da Régua) and Our Lady of Pena (Mouçós, Vila Real).
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Adega Luís Pato
3. BAIRRADA
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| BAIRRADA |
THE REGION
This region is located in Beira Litoral between the Atlantic Ocean and the mountainous Dão region. The climate is considered maritime with mild temperatures, rainy winters and cool summers. Despite being a hilly region, the majority of the vines are planted on the flatter lands where the soils are typically sandy or clay-limestone, each one influencing the style of wine produced. The red grape variety Baga, usually planted in clayey soils, is considered Bairrada’s ADN, giving the wine intense colours, fruity aromas and longevity. However, in recent years, the well-known international grape varieties such as Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Noir have become popular and coexist with the local ones. White wines are produced from a mix of local and international varieties planted in the region’s sandy soils that deliver the wine a delicate and aromatic character. Bairrada has a great heritage of sparkling wine production by the traditional, bottle-fermented method, a practice that has been developing and increasing in the 21st century. Currently, the region accounts for around 65 percent of the country’s production of sparkling wines.
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WINE ESTATES4
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1. LUIS PATO Hotel / Tours / Meals / Shop
Rua da Quinta Nova, 3780-017 Amoreira da Gândara |GPS: 38º 50' 25.02'' N, 7º 37' 44.14'' W
www.luispato.com
This family owned estate produces wine since the 18th century, and in1970, the Pato family were the first winegrowers of the region to bottleits branded wine. A visit to the Quinta do Ribeirinho property, will makeyou feel as part of the family, as you will be able to discover thefamily’s personal wine library and the "cave", where the temperature ismaintained through a method of “natural air conditioning".After the wine tour, stay for the tasting of the newly released wines andalso the relics that are not in the market anymore.
If you have a party of 8 or more, do not miss the traditional Bairradalunch that includes vegetable soup, roasted suckling pig and desserts
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such as fruit and sweets (book in advance). Located 7 km far from the winery, there are 2 double bedrooms available for guests. Do not miss the spectacular view of the vineyards from the terrace near the pool.
2. QUINTA DO ENCONTRO Restaurant / Tours / Tasting / Shop
R. S. Lourencinho, 3780-907 São Lourenço do Bairro | GPS: 41º 9' 43.71'' N, 8º 29' 22.87'' W
www.quintadoencontro.pt
Quinta do Encontro is located in São Lourenço do Bairro, at thecentre of the Bairrada region. The property landscape is dominatedby the modern building that accommodates the winery and therestaurant, surrounded by the vineyards.The wine tours are organized to stimulate visitor’s senses, bycombining words and music that merges with the distinctive aromasof the wine production. After the tour, stay for lunch or dinner to enjoytheir restaurant’s Mediterranean-influenced cuisine, matched perfectlywith the Quinta’s wines.
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3. CAMPOLARGO Hotel / Tours / Meals / Shop
Quinta S. Mateus, 3780-180 São Lourenço Bairro | GPS: 40º 26' 56.71'' N, 8º 29' 18.31'' W
www.campolargovinhos.com
Campolargo wine state has more than 170 hectares that producesome of the finest wines from the Bairrada region.Besides the winery tour, you can enjoy outdoor activities at thevineyards and pine woods surrounding the main building. However, ifyou prefer to just relax and “breathe” the charming ambience of theproperty, just stay at the Casa de Mogofores, the family run guesthouse that allows you to spend the night surrounded by the Nature(book at www.casademogofores.com).
4. ALIANÇA MUSEUM Museum / Tasting / Meals / Shop
Rua do Comércio, nº 444, 3781-908 Sangalhos | GPS: 40º 29' 21.52'' N, 8º 28' 17.83'' W
www.alianca.pt
Aliança underground museum is one of a kind exhibition space,developed along the traditional lodges of Aliança Vinhos dePortugal. It features nine permanent collections that cover distinctareas of interest such as ceramic tiles, archeology, ethnography,paleontology, mineralogy and even Indian culture.Visitors are surrounded by a unique atmosphere, where all thesenses will be stimulated. Aliança's wines combined with localgastronomy are the perfect starting point for a spectacular culturalvisit around the museum that will make your event a memorable one(book in advance).
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5. SOLAR DE SÃO DOMINGOS Tasting / Museum / Meals / Shop
Rua Elpídio Martins Semedo, 42, 3780-473 Moita | GPS: 40º 28' 30.57'' N, 8º 24' 16.35'' W
www.cavesaodomingos.com
Caves Solar de São Domingos have been producing sparkling wines,old spirits, pomace spirits and Bairrada, Dão and Beiras wines since1937. In 2006, the modern vinification centre was inaugurated,allowing the reception of one thousand tons of grapes proceedingfrom the company’s proprieties.Its cellars lodge more than two million bottles of sparkling wine, winebottles and hundreds of French oak barrels to age their famous winederived spirits.At this unique space, you’ll be dazzled by the beauty of the galleriesexcavated in the rock, the millions of bottles and the original tastingroom.
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| BAIRRADA |
BEYOND WINE
Bairrada belongs to the Beira Litoral province, home of the historical city of Coimbra, famous for hosting the oldest university in Portugal. The city stands on a hill on top of the Rio Mondego, a beautiful place filled with ancient alleys and lanes, widely spread around the university building that is a “must visit”.
Beira’s coastline is well preserved, covered by pine forests and sandy dunes leading into the Atlantic Ocean. You should take time to travel around the coastal towns, from the touristic Figueira da Foz to the lovely lagoon village called Praia de Mira. Going north, you’ll find one of the most admired provincial towns in Portugal, Aveiro, known as the “Portuguese Venice” due to its network of canals.
City of Aveiro
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Outdoor Activities
Near Coimbra you can discover very unique places like the most extensive Roman site in Portugal (Conímbriga), the Montemor-o- Velho castle, the Buçaco forest, or the lovely “Spa Town” called Luso, perfect for relaxing after long days of fun and excitement.
Traveling northeast, you’ll pass through the impressive Arouca convent and the mountain ranges of Freita and Arada, both sprinkled with remote villages blended into beautiful landscapes dominated by Nature that spreads east until reaching the Serra da Estrela mountain range. Here, you’ll find the highest spot in continental Portugal, the only ski course in the country, the spring of two important rivers and an unexpected “alpine type” landscape abounding in glaciation traces.
Serra da Estrela
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Casa Santos Lima
4. LISBOA
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| LISBOA |
THE REGION
This wine region is located north of Lisbon city, an area where the traditional and international varieties mingle and enable a tremendous range of wines from the citric and floral whites to the elegant, aromatic and tannin rich reds. Due to the Atlantic influence, the weather is mild with fresh summers and soft winters. Airstream is a strong feature near the coast where the vines are wind-stressed and hard pressed to ripen their grapes, while inland, the mountain ranges offer protection to the vineyards planted on the slopes. Since the nineties, Lisboa has made important investments in the vineyard redesign achieving a new status in the winemaking panorama in recent years. The region that was formerly known as Estremadura is now known for its great price per quality ratio. Lisboa wine region is composed by nine Denominations of Origin: in the south Colares, Bucelas, Carcavelos, in the centre Óbidos, Torres Vedras, Lourinhã, Alenquer, Arruda and in the north, Encostas d’Aire.
In the south part, Colares is considered a “small jewel” (bellow 10.000 bottles/yr) where Ramisco grapes are planted on vines that snake along the limestone soil and sandy dunes to reach for protection against the aggressive ocean winds.
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| LISBOA |
Survival in this extreme environment generates wines with the ability to age well reaching a great balance between fresh acidity with high tannins. Also in the south area, the Bucelas Denomination of Origin produces exclusively white wines from Arinto grapes highly appreciated since the 16th century by UK drinkers.
In the central area we find the region’s best DOC wines as a result of important investments made in vineyard modernisation and grape variety selection. Alenquer stands out with some of the region best red wines recognized as aromatic, elegant, rich in tannins and capable of ageing well in bottle. White wines are considered citric and fresh.
At north stands Encostas D’Aire, the region’s largest Denomination of Origin known for a multitude of varieties: Baga, Aragonez, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Castelão, Touriga Nacional, Trincadeira, Arinto, Malvasia Fina and Fernão Pires. The impact of this interesting mix is visible in the wine profile that has gained more body, colour and intensity in recent years.
Caves Vinho Carcavelos
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| LISBOA |
WINE ESTATES
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1. ADEGA MÃE Tours / Tasting / Shop
Estrada Municipal 554, 2565-841 Torres Vedras | GPS: 39º 04' 88,69” N, 9º 29' 57,43” W
www.adegamae.pt
Adega Mãe spreads over 40 hectares of vineyards that produceannually over 1.5 million liters of white, red and roses wines.The winery infrastructure is equipped with machinery that combineharmoniously modern technology with traditional methods. Inside thearea devoted to ageing wines of noble character, the “Time Room”,you’ll find over 150 American and French Oak barrels carefullyselected to assure a perfect wine ageing.Visitors can discover the heart of the winery, get to know the white andred wine presses and the opulence of the fermentation tanks. You canalso take a look into the laboratory, the Time Room and then hop onthe tasting room with beautiful views of the vineyard.
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| LISBOA |
2. QUINTA DOS LORIDOS Restaurant / Tasting/ Shop
Carvalhal 2540-480 Bombarral | GPS: 39º 16' 30.770'' N, 9º 8' 20.97'' W
www.bacalhoa.com
Situated in the heart of the Óbidos region, and with a history linked towine and sparkling wine production dating back to the XV Century, theQuinta dos Loridos estate is a unique place where tranquility andnature play a special role.Within the property, you’ll find the largest oriental garden in Europe,the Buddha Eden, which was created in response to the destruction ofthe Banyan Buddhas in recent years. Main attractions include sevenhundred hand-painted terracotta soldiers and a central lake, whereKOI (Japanese carp) fish can be seen and sculpted dragons rise out ofthe water.
3. QUINTA DO GRADIL Restaurant / Tours / Shop
EN115 Vilar 2550 - 073 Vilar, Cadaval | GPS: 39º 11' 11.14'' N, 9º 6' 46.09'' W
www.quintadogradil.wine
One of the oldest estates from Cadaval, Quinta do Gradil has a longwine tradition. During the 18 th century, this property was owned by the
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the prime minister Marquês de Pombal, who stands as one of the most relevant figures in the Portuguese history. Visitors can learn about the wine-growing process, starting at the vineyards, moving on to the cellar and ending at the tasting room. Wine store, restaurant, horse rides, harvest events, birdwatching, aqueduct, a chapel and a mill, are other attractions that you can enjoy at Quinta do Gradil.
4. CASA SANTOS LIMA Tours / Tasting / Shop
Quinta da Boavista, 2580-081 Aldeia da Galega da Merceana GPS: 39º 4' 12.01'' N, 9º 7' 1.13'' W
www.casasantoslima.com
Casa Santos Lima is a family owned company dedicated to theproduction, bottling and selling of Portuguese wines. It is also thelargest producer of “Vinho Regional Lisboa” and “DOC Alenquer”, andin the past years, CSL has been one of the most awarded Portuguesewineries in major national and international wine competitions.Most of Casa Santos Lima's vineyards are located in Alenquer, 45kmnorth of Lisbon, in a region where wine production is centuries old andtypical rural landscapes appear with enormous beauty.
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The vineyards are planted in gentle slopes with altitudes between 100 and 220 meters benefiting from an excellent sun exposition and a climate slightly tempered by the nearby Atlantic Ocean, 25 km away from the property. For a full wine experience, we recommend you book a visit directly at their website.
5. CASA CADAVAL Tours / Tasting / Horse Riding
Rua Vasco da Gama, 2125-317 Muge | GPS: 39º 6' 27.7'' N, 8º 42' 43.8'' W
www.casacadaval.pt
Casa Cadaval is located 80km to the north of Lisbon, on the left bankof the river Tagus. The facilities include a wine boutique that willenable you to taste wine while enjoying beautiful surroundings.Casa Cadaval is also famous for being one of the oldest Lusitanohorse breeders in the world. The stables on the estate include indoorand outdoor riding arenas with a viewing gallery which allows visitorsto see and experience the precision and ability of the horses.The property offers a wide range of activities: wine tasting, farm tour,equestrian baptism, bird watching and cruises on the Tagus River.
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BEYOND WINE
Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is the center of this multi layered region that accommodates a variety of tastes and senses. Even though the city has had so many influences from various cultures over time, Lisbon still has a traditional feel in every historic neighborhood. You can find wonderful places in the city by taking a walk just across the Pombaline grid in Baixa district streets that lead to Praça do Comércio, just in front of the Tagus River. In this touristic area, Belém is a no miss. Filled with World Heritage monuments, the area combines with harmony modern leisure spaces and medieval quarters.
An interesting tour is to take the coastline route between Lisbon and the mystical village of Sintra, passing through Estoril and Cascais historical towns and Cabo da Roca, Europe’s western most point.
Outdoor ActivitiesNorth of Lisbon, you’ll find beautiful natural sceneries along the coastline, filled with great surf spots like Peniche and Nazaré. Scuba diving fans will also find great locations with clear waters that allow to observe the marine life and even explore sunken ships like the San Pedro de Alcântara.
The Óbidos Lagoon also deserves a visit due to the variety of species like water birds and shellfish that peacefully coexist with water sports aficionados - windsurfing, sailing and rowing – just to name a few.
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Herdade do Esporão
5. ALENTEJO
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THE REGION
Alentejo is considered one of the biggest and well-knownPortuguese regions due to it’s rich, fruity and easy drinking wines,produced under a very hot and dry climate with wide sun exposurethroughout the year.Naturally, the most pleasant time to visit Alentejo is April or May, whenthe atmosphere is still green and aromatic, just before the intense heatof the summer months.The region is made of extensive plains with mountains only in thenortheast, where the countryside becomes greener and the air cooler.Soils are low on fertility, made of granite, pink marble, schist andlimestone, which provide the conditions to obtain an enduring andresistant vine.Landscapes mingle with the vines and cereal crops; an ever-changingcanvas of colour from intense green towards the end of winter to thedeep ochre tones during the final months of summer.
The eight sub-regions that compose the Denomination of Origin can be divided into three main groups.
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• Borba, Évora, Redondo and Reguengos that produce smooth, harmonious, very easy-drinking wines;
• Portalegre, where the vines are planted on granite slopes of the São Mamede mountain range with its own fresh microclimate;
• Vidigueira, Granja-Amareleja and Moura that are impacted by a significantly hotter climate and poor, limestone-based soils.
In a region where red wine is king, the main grape varieties used are Roupeiro, Arinto, Trincadeira, Castelão, Aragonez, Antão Vaz and Alicante Bouschet. Besides the DOC sub-regions, Alentejo also has many regional wines that can incorporate grape varieties beyond those predicted in the strict DOC wines legislation, such as Chardonnay, Syrah or Cabernet Sauvignon.
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WINE ESTATES
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1. L’AND VINEYARDS Hotel / Spa / Tours /Tasting
EN 4, Herdade das Valadas, 7050-031 Montemor-o-Novo GPS: 38º 38' 46.04'' N, 8º 15' 18.01'' W
www.l-andvineyards.com
In the heart of the Alentejo, you’ll find L’AND Vineyards wine resort, perfectly integrated with the surrounding landscape dominated by the vineyards and a lake. The resort offers several suites with open bedroom ceiling, perfect for the guests who wish to sleep under the starts with full comfort. There are many activities to choose from: attend wine making and organic cooking courses, visit the cellar, enjoy a traditional meal at the restaurant or a nice picnic at the vineyards. To relax after a full day of excitement, pamper yourself at the fully equipped SPA.
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2. MONTE DA RAVASQUEIRA Restaurant / Museum / Tours / Shop
Monte da Ravasqueira 7040-121 Arraiolos | GPS: 38º 44' 38.00'' N, 8º 0' 43.00'' W
www.ravasqueira.com
Located in the municipality of Arraiolos, about an hour drive fromLisbon, the estate occupies a vast area of typical Alentejo landscape.Monte da Ravasqueira is committed to the production of distinctivequality wines, while it is also engaged in a number or other activitiesinvolving the production of cork, olive oil and honey, as well as rearingcattle and fattening Alentejo’s black pigs.Besides visiting the vineyard or sign up for a wine course, you can alsoenjoy Portuguese traditional dishes available at the restaurant (book inadvance) or visit the Carriage Driving Museum that displays the privatecollection of harnesses and carriages of various eras and styles.Outdoor activities are also available: bike tours, picnics or watersports.
3. HERDADE DO ESPORÃO Restaurant / Tours / Shop
7200-999 Reguengos de Monsaraz | GPS: 38º 23' 4.84'' N, 7º 34' 2.92'' W
www.esporao.com
In the heart of the Reguengos de Monsaraz sub-region, the Herdadehas unique conditions for agriculture and wine production with its700ha of vineyards, olive groves and other crops enhanced by theorganic production and integrated production.
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Despite being the oldest wine tourism location in Portugal, Herdade do Esporão keeps its offer fresh through its recently refurbished wine bar, restaurant and, of course, the winery and vineyard tours. Here you will be able to venture through the vineyards and olive groves or visit the historical center of the estate where the iconic Esporão Tower, Arch and The Chapel of Our Lady of Remedies stand. After visiting the winery, cellar and "lagares" (wine presses), relax in the wine bar where you can taste the wines and olive oils of the estate whilst watching the fantastic view over the dam of “Caridade” or take a wine course. The restaurant offers a variety of traditional Alentejo dishes such as dogfish soup and also some specialties like Esporão’s style fried cod or baked cod. However, picnics in the vineyard are also an option to consider.
4. HERDADE DO SOBROSO Hotel / Tours / Tasting / Shop
Pedrogão 7060-909 Vidigueira | GPS: 38º 10' 46.73'' N, 7º 35' 30.25'' W
www.herdadedosobroso.pt
Located in the traditional wine production region called Vidigueira, thetwo country houses with African inspired décor are hard to miss. Theproperty is equipped with a salt-water outdoor pool that offer beautifulviews of the surrounding vineyards.Outdoor sport aficionados will be delighted with the hunting and fishingprograms, photo safaris, water ski/wakeboard, kayak, windsurf, bicycleride, boat trips and horse riding lessons. More relaxing activities arealso available, from the winery and vineyard tour to the restaurantwhere they serve traditional Alentejo dishes. .
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5. MALHADINHA NOVA Hotel / Restaurant / Tours / Tasting
7800-601 Albernoa | GPS: 37º 49' 50.60'' N, 7º 59' 20.91'' W
www.malhadinhanova.pt
Herdade da Malhadinha has 27 hectares of vineyard and a state-ofthe-art winery where you can enjoy and buy their famous wines.The property buildings can be classified as typical Alentejo countryfarmhouse that combines the traditional lifestyle with services that willdelight the most demanding visitors.Fishing, biking, horse riding and hiking are some of the outdooractivities the property offers, but if relaxing is your goal, just head intothe panoramic swimming pool or pamper yourself with a Vinotherapysession at the SPA. For dinner, you can head to the gourmetrestaurant to taste traditional food from Alentejo.Note: If you travel during August and September, you can alsoparticipate in the harvest.
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