Wine itinerary
From north to south, Portugal reveals itself as an unmissable destination for wine lovers. Between historic estates and luxurious properties, this guide gathers the finest experiences in wine tourism, gastronomy, and hospitality, offering suggestions on where to stay, dine, and raise a glass in each region.
Quinta do Vale Meão, Vila Nova de Foz Côa
Located at the eastern reaches of the Upper Douro, this is one of Portugal’s historic wine estates. Founded by Antónia Adelaide Ferreira (“Ferreirinha”) in 1877, it has remained in the family for generations and is now led by Francisco Olazabal, among the country’s most esteemed winemakers. Encompassing 270 hectares, of which 65 are vineyard, it benefits from a distinctive terroir – granite soils, a dry microclimate, and significant thermal variation. Its most iconic wine, the Quinta do Vale Meão Tinto, a blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz is profound, mineral, and regarded as one of Portugal’s great red wines. The estate also produces mineral whites, single-parcel wines, and an elegant Port Vintage.
Where to stay
Nearby, we recommend Ventozelo, Hotel & Quinta, a special place surrounded by greenery, with its Dão soul well preserved and the estate’s buildings restored to highlight the expanse of modern architecture.
Where to dine
The Restaurante Côa Museu is recommended, offering fine local meats, cheeses, mushrooms, asparagus, and more. Exclusive gastronomic experiences during guided tours of Quinta do Vale Meão can also be arranged in advance.
Experiences
Private tours of the winery, press and cellars; vertical tastings with winemakers; guided vineyard walks including the oldest parcels; wine-based spa treatments (vinotherapy) and rural spa; boat excursions on the Upper Douro with local operators.
Quinta do Crasto, Gouvinhas
Situated between Régua and Pinhão, Quinta do Crasto, with over 400 years of history, has belonged to the Roquette family since 1918. It is now a defining reference in Douro and Port wine production, famed for its old-vine reds such as the iconic Vinha Maria Teresa and Vinha da Ponte, produced in limited, collectible editions.
Where to stay
For exclusive accommodation, the estate offers private programmes. Nearby options include Six Senses Douro Valley (Lamego), a luxury hotel with spa and wine experiences; The Vintage House Hotel (Pinhão), a classic riverside Douro retreat; and Quinta de Ventozelo, offering rural accommodation with contemporary sophistication.
Where to dine
Quinta do Crasto presents exclusive wine lunches for small groups, by reservation, honouring traditional Douro cuisine. In the region, DOC by Rui Paula, on the Douro’s banks is considered among the country’s finest, offering signature cuisine and an impeccable wine list.
Experiences
Private vineyard, press and cellar tours with premium tastings; walks through the Maria Teresa and Vinha da Ponte parcels; tastings at viewpoints with breathtaking Douro views; river cruises departing Ferrão or Pinhão; and viticulture lessons, grape harvest, and stomping during harvest season.
Quinta da Pacheca, Lamego
Nestled in the heart of the Douro vineyard region in Cambres, Quinta da Pacheca stands among the oldest and most charismatic estates, with records dating back to 1738. It is also one of the first estates to bottle under its own label, seamlessly blending Douro tradition with modernity. Notable wines include Pacheca Grande Reserva Tinto, Pacheca Touriga Nacional and Porto Tawny and Vintage.
Where to stay
Quinta da Pacheca is a pioneer in charming wine tourism. The internationally awarded Wine Barrels offer a unique immersive experience where wine, landscape and rest converge. Lamego Hotel & Life, located in the Douro valley with a heated outdoor pool, is another excellent choice for a restful stay.
Where to dine
Experiences
Quinta da Pacheca’s restaurant offers creative Douro cuisine, with tasting menus paired with estate wines highly recommended. At O Comendador, the restaurant at Lamego Hotel & Life (hosted at Quinta da Vista Alegre), enjoy traditional Portuguese fare infused with flavours from the continents explored by its founder, Commander Alexandre Herculano Rodrigues.
Beyond private wine dinners, gourmet vineyard picnics, regional cooking workshops, guided visits to vineyards, presses, and cellars, thematic tastings and river cruises. Visits can also include historical and spiritual heritage like the Monastery of São João de Tarouca and the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios. For those keen to explore further, tours across Douro Sul’s estates such as Côrte, Vallado, and La Rosa, and the Douro Museum in Peso da Régua are highly recommended.
Quinta de La Rosa, Pinhão
A perfect expression of modern Douro luxury. Situated on the Douro’s right bank, a short distance from Pinhão, this estate blends history, winemaking excellence and boutique hospitality. Owned by the Bergqvist family since the early 20th century, it gained global recognition for its innovative approach and production of exceptional DOC Douro and Port wines with a sustainable, integrated philosophy.
Where to stay
Quinta de La Rosa offers boutique accommodation amid a bucolic setting ideal for relaxation, complete with a panoramic pool overlooking the river. The Vintage House Hotel (Pinhão) remains a beloved riverside classic. Casa do Visconde de Chanceleiros offers elegant rural lodging with personalised hospitality.
Where to dine
At the estate’s restaurant, Cozinha da Clara, a young creative team serves contemporary Douro cuisine using local ingredients, with tasting menus paired with La Rosa wines and outdoor riverside lunches on the terraces.
Experiences
Estate and cellar tours, including traditional presses; vertical tastings of Port and Douro DOC wines; boat excursions from the estate’s dock; vineyard walks to Pinhão viewpoints; and grape-harvest experiences in September, including foot treading. For additional views, visit Miradouro de Casal de Loivos or neighbouring Quinta do Bomfim.
Quinta da Côrte, Valença do Douro
This historic wine estate fuses centuries of winemaking tradition with contemporary design. Producing top-tier DOC and Port wines, it also offers exclusive wine tourism and a designer guesthouse.
Where to stay
Stay in the estate’s guesthouse and dine in the on-site restaurant, with suites decorated by renowned interior designer Pierre Yovanovitch. The home‑made breakfast includes local produce and stunning views over the terraced valley.
Where to dine
Bomfim 1896 at Quinta do Bomfim (home of Dow’s Port since 1896) celebrates family‑style Douro cooking, with hearth‑cooked dishes. At Casa do Arco by Douro Exclusive, you can savour some of the world’s finest meats, like Rubia Gallega Dry‑Aged.
Experiences
Enjoy walks through centenarian vineyards, picnics among olive trees and vines, yoga or relaxation sessions in nature (by reservation), and a panoramic pool overlooking the Douro (at Quinta da Côrte). Book a private boat for a personalised on‑board wine and snack experience.
ALENTEJO
Herdade da Malhadinha Nova, Beja
Part of the Relais & Châteaux Collection, this family estate offers a unique wine‑tourism, wellness, and gourmet experience. It’s now one of Portugal’s premier destinations for those seeking an authentic yet luxurious stay in the Alentejo. With 450 hectares of vineyards, the estate cultivates nineteen different grape varieties, celebrating the region’s diversity and distinctive terroir.
Where to stay
On the estate, options are several and exceedingly exclusive from the Monte da Peceguina Suite to Casa do Ancoradouro. The contemporary décor combines natural materials, large windows present panoramic views over the Alentejo plains, vineyards and olive groves, and for spa enthusiasts, M Wellness is a sanctuary of wellbeing. Outdoor pools are embraced by gardens and terraces.
Where to dine
The on‑site Restaurante Monte da Peceguina, situated beside the pool, is perfect for relaxed alfresco lunches. Sabores d’Alentejo, in Beja, is a benchmark for traditional Alentejo cuisine. At O Fialho, in Évora, a cornerstone of regional gastronomy, the menu brims with game dishes, charcuterie, and extra virgin olive oil from the region.
Experiences
A guided visit to the Cella Vinaria Antiqua (Roman vineyards) through olive groves and vines, with tastings of historic wines in an ancestral setting; a gourmet brunch or dinner at Hotel Melius; climb the keep of Beja Castle for a 360° view over the city and plains; explore the Rainha Dona Leonor Regional Museum, rich in sacred art, tiles, and local history.
Herdade do Esporão, Reguengos de Monsaraz
One of the most emblematic wine producers in the Alentejo, renowned for its high-quality wines and strong tradition of sustainability. Covering 1,840 hectares with unchanged geographic boundaries since 1267, it boasts unique agricultural conditions, pronounced temperature variations, seven soil types, and extraordinary biodiversity.
Where to stay
At São Lourenço do Barrocal, Hotel & Monte Alentejano, an unassuming luxury hotel surrounded by vineyards, cork oaks, and olive groves, offering unforgettable days. At Herdade dos Delgados, near Alqueva, the property spans over ten hectares, and nature itself extends the invitation to stay. At Quinta do Paral, Wine Hotel (Vidigueira), one enjoys the calm Alentejo lifestyle and precious quality time. The six accommodation types are equipped with every modern comfort.
Where to dine
At Herdade do Esporão’s restaurant, awarded a Michelin star and Green Star in 2022 and 2023, modern terroir cuisine is served using local, seasonal ingredients, with a focus on sustainability and zero waste. MAPA, the haute cuisine offering at L’AND Vineyards, is led by chef David Jesus, former executive chef at Belcanto.
Oenology classes and press tours are available on the estate. The Alentejo region offers abundant possibilities: gourmet dinners in acclaimed restaurants, private wine tours, hot‑air balloon rides at sunrise, spa and wellness treatments like the Vinoble Spa at L’AND, workshops in tile‑making, painting or gastronomy, discovering the region onboard a Pilatus PC‑12 (an exclusive flight over the vineyards, from Quinta do Paral), or visits to private contemporary art collections, concerts, and cultural events in historic venues.
Experiences
Herdade do Freixo, Montemor‑o‑Novo
One of Alentejo’s best‑kept secrets, famed for its remarkable subterranean winery, an organic architecture masterpiece designed by Frederico Valsassina. At this sustainably run estate, each wine tells a story of terroir, with grape varieties such as Touriga Nacional, Arinto and Alicante Bouschet. Visits are bespoke.
Where to stay
At the refined L’AND Vineyards, in Montemor‑o‑Novo, part of Relais & Châteaux, one can sleep under the stars in suites with retractable roofs, unwind in the Vinoble spa and enjoy both indoor and outdoor pools. At Hotel Palacete Real Companhia do Cacau, a luxury lodging in Montemor‑o‑Novo’s historic centre overlooking the castle, with expansive gardens and a quiet pool environment.
Where to dine
We suggest making a reservation at Taverna dos Conjurados (Vila Viçosa), tucked away in a former stable, with a rustic stone and vault interior, serving traditional Alentejo dishes and lauded for its familial service and regional wines.
Experiences
Visit Évora, Arraiolos or the beautiful Vila Viçosa; spend a morning at Stone Spa, within Hotel Marmóris, hewn from an old quarry, offering unique treatments; enjoy spa treatments with hammam and chocolate massages at Hotel Palacete Real Companhia do Cacau; or lunch at Quinta do Quetzal, under chef João Mourato, offering culinary and artistic experiences.
AZORES
Azores Wine Company, Pico
Founded by Filipe Rocha, Paulo Machado and renowned winemaker António Maçanita, this winery is located on the island’s north coast, near Cais do Mourato, and was designed to produce outstanding white wines, with a strong focus on wine tourism. Nestled within Pico’s natural surroundings and respectful of its World Heritage landscape, the project is much more than a wine production facility, it’s “a living room, where friends are welcomed, and the vineyard views, wine tastings, and life’s finer pleasures are savoured.” Here, the rare grape variety Terrantez do Pico, found nowhere else in the world and once nearly extinct, is produced and now features on the wine lists of some of the finest restaurants and wine cellars.
Where to stay
Staying at the Azores Wine Company is a privilege few can enjoy. With only five rooms and one two-bedroom apartment, the experience combines design, exclusivity, untouched scenery, and a close connection to the vineyard.
At Vinhas do Calhau, part of the Ramal do Calhau Wine Tourism Project in the village of Madalena, guests enjoy a sophisticated and comfortable setting. At Pocinho Bay, one can take in panoramic views of Pico Mountain and Faial Island, with direct access to the natural swimming pool at Pocinho Bay.
Where to dine
At the Azores Wine Company, the culinary offering is rooted in local produce and regional recipes, whether it’s a casual lunch in the Barrel Room or a tasting menu served in the main restaurant. At O Ancoradouro (Madalena), one of the island’s most acclaimed restaurants, expect traditional dishes featuring fresh fish, seafood, and local specialities like alcatra (a typical Azorean beef stew). Cella Bar & Restaurant (Madalena) offers a laid-back atmosphere, stunning views, and a well-curated list of regional wines. At O Cachalote (São Roque do Pico), the menu centres on fish and seafood, with a view that opens straight onto the ocean.
Experiences
Tastings with Maçanita, seaside picnics, whale watching, climbing Pico Mountain (the highest point in Portugal), snorkelling, and hiking the Trilho das Vinhas da Criação Velha, which connects the parish of Candelária to Areia Larga, are just some of the island’s many offerings. Other highlights include sailing trips, visits to the Gruta das Torres (Europe’s longest lava tube), and exploring lakes such as Lagoa do Capitão, Lagoa do Caiado, or Lagoa do Peixinho.
