As a UNESCO World Heritage Site and producer of one of Portugal’s largest exports, Alto Douro must be included when planning a trip to Portugal’s green, rolling north. Here are a few spots to sample quality wine and enjoy the country’s most beautiful landscapes.
Quinta do Bomfim
This family-run farm is one of many owned by the Symington Family Estates. Relatively new, it will be turning two years old in May 2017; it is located in a beautiful, sleepy town called Pinhão. The estate, or quinta, allows self-guided tours through the vineyards, picnicking, and of course, wine tasting. It has been recognized by Wine Spectator, for its excellent Port wines, and the publication named their Dow’s 2011 Vintage Port as the No.1 wine in the world in 2014.
Quinta do Bomfim PInhão, 5085-060 Pinhão, Alijo, Portugal +351 254 730 370
Douro landscape © Pixabay
Quinta da Pacheca
Here there’s more to do than simple wine tasting. You can also learn about the viticulture process and enjoy the vineyard grounds. At Quinta da Pacheca, there’s plenty on offer, including a simple tasting, pairing with jam and cheese or even a picnic. Visitors can also book a cookery workshop and rent bicycles to tour the estate.
Rua do Relógio do Sol, 261 Cambres, 5100-424 Lamego, Portugal +351 254 313 228
Alto Douro Vinhateiro – Zona de Pinhão © Concierge.2C / Wikimedia Commons
Quinta das Carvalhas
This vineyard belongs to Real Companhia Velha and has a cellar in Porto that should be a stop on any wine-lover’s agenda. The views are spectacular and take in the Douro and the Torto rivers, as well as the delightful rolling, green landscape. Finding views that beat the Quinta das Carvalhas’ may be hard due to the estates size; it is one of the largest quintas in the area and so has plenty of vantage points.
Quinta das Carvalhas, 5085-034 Pinhão, Portugal +351 254 738 050
Quinta da Roêda
They say that wine gets better with age, so the oldest, continuously-running Port wine producer in Portugal must be worth visiting. The land, owned by Croft, produces one of the more popular brands of Vintage Port wine. Like most of the other vineyards on this list, Quinta da Roêda is located in the heart of the Douro Region, near Pinhão.
Quinta da Roêda, N323, 5085-036 Pinhão, Portugal +351 22 010 9830
Douro River near Pinhão © Turismo En Portugal / Wikimedia Commons
Adega Cooperativa de Favaios
Wine Bar, Pub, Pub Grub, Portuguese
