PORTUGAL WINE TOURS
The Great Lodges & Quintas of the Douro Valley & Vinho Verde
VISIT THE MOST SPECTACULAR VINEYARDS IN THE WORLD, IN STYLE
Wine-lovers are blessed with many beautiful and historic vineyard regions to visit, but few can rival the sheer majesty of Portugal’s Douro Valley, home to the famously long-lived wines of Port. On this luxury 5-day tour, you will trace the history and production of this centuries-old aristocratic wine style, from the timeless ageing cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, to the UNESCO world heritage site vineyards.
You will be welcomed at the top Port houses, served unique wines mellowed by decades of ageing, accompanied by fine food and breathtaking views. You will also discover the best of the exciting new Douro table wines, as well as fresh, vibrant Vinho Verde.
Best of all, you will travel in comfort and style, staying in 5-star hotels and eating in the best restaurants, with extra scenic excursions by both boat and train, all the while accompanied by knowledgeable British Master of Wine, Colin Gent MW.
I invite you to join us on this wonderful tour.
ABOUT THE TOUR AND REGION
EUROPE’S BEST KEPT SECRET
Portugal is a fascinating blend of tradition and innovation, infused with genuinely warm hospitality. Nearly 600 years ago, Portuguese mariners set sail across the oceans to discover New Worlds. Now we invite you to come and discover their home, their hospitality, and their outstanding wines.
Over 5 days and 4 nights you’ll explore the historic Port lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia, the refreshing wines of Vinho Verde, and the majestic vineyards of the Douro Valley, tasting the finest wines, enjoying exclusive experiences, and staying in luxury along the way.
LUXURY & CHARM
The twin cities of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia are linked by the famous Dom Luis Bridge, built by Gustave Eiffel. Allowing you to arrive through Porto airport, we spend the first two nights at the luxurious Yeatman Hotel, the best address in Vila Nova. Then, we move up into the dramatic Douro Valley, where another 5-star hotel awaits us for the second half of the trip, the delightful and utterly charming Vintage House Hotel.
VILA NOVA DE GAIA
We start early afternoon at The Yeatman Hotel, giving you time to arrive from the airport. After an introductory tasting led by our Master of Wine, we move to the impressive Taylor’s Port Lodge, for a VIP tour of the ancestral home of both Taylors and Fonseca Ports. The visit will conclude with a welcome dinner at the Barão Fladgate Restaurant, with accompanying fine wines and great views across to Porto over the river.
We remain in Vila Nova for the second day, visiting two more distinguished and historic Port Lodges, where hundreds of thousands of bottles quietly age, many for 10, 20, 40 or more years. To brush away the cellar cobwebs, we head down to the riverfront for a relaxing late afternoon river cruise, passing under Eiffel’s bridge and observing the historic Porto waterfront from the comfort of the boat.
VINHO VERDE & PINHAO
On the third morning, we journey inland towards the Douro vineyards, stopping en route to discover the light and super-refreshing white wines of Vinho Verde. That afternoon and the next day, we explore 5 different “Quintas” – single-estate producers of Port and exciting red and white table wines – concentrated around Pinhão, at the heart of the celebrated Cima Corgo district. The celebrated Quinta do Noval and an unforgettable dinner at Quinta do Bomfim are among those who welcome us. We will even be able to try grape- treading in the granite lagares at Quinta da Roeda. This is such fun!
The idyllic riverside setting of the Vintage House hotel will allow us to unwind for our 2 days in the Douro.
THE UPPER DOURO
Some of the most spectacular vineyards are to be found even further upriver, in the wild mountainous region known as the Upper Douro. We take the most scenic of train journeys between river and mountain, alighting at the winery’s own train station, for a last day of vineyard discovery, great wines and warm hospitality, before returning to Pinhão, and from there back to Vila Nova.
