Croft Cellars

The oldest Port wine cellars belong to Croft. They are located in Vila Nova de Gaia in a building that still retains its original features. The visit stars at a room that sends us back in time. In there we can see tables and chairs made of old barrels, worn out leather armchairs, a desk still with old papers liying on its top, the maps showing were the Douro River used to flow, and, the suitcase used by Jack Croft to carry the fund for English troops called “Distribution” at the time of the Napoleonic invasions to Portugal.

You can choose from three types of visit each one adding more experiences to the basic tour (5€, 10€, 15€), but in all you get to taste Croft’s Port wines and go through the cellars.

If you came in the summer don’t miss the opportunity to relax on the terrace, but don’t worry if it happens to be winter., The fireplace will be there to warm you.

Casa Mateus

The Mateus House was built in a baroque style, at the begining of the eighteenth century, by António José Botelho Mourão, 3rd Morgado of Mateus. It has become a national monument in 1911, In front of the property there is a huge lake were you will find a statue of a sleeping nymph, a work of João Cutileiro. The beauty of the house is breathtaking. It’s a movie set made real.

There are two types of visit available. You can stroll through the gardens and winery freely or pay for a guided visit to the entire house and the chapel. We highlight the family library filled with beautiful books, mostly in French, but the thing that catches our eye was the first illustrated edition of the epic novel Lusiadas by Luís Vaz de Camões and its printing plates.

In the cellar of the House of Matthew we feel part of the family, as though we lived in fact between those century-old walls. Family members belonging to the building foundation roam addressing us with a smile as we pass. And we smile back because the charm of the palace and the wine cellar are truly intoxicating.

Quinta do Portal

This “boutique winery” was a creation of the prestigious Portuguese architect Álvaro Siza Vieira. The project began in 1990 in order to renovate the family property that was there. Quinta do Portal was built in schist, cork, and Styrofoam (painted in orange which gives a distinctive look to the winery) and grass on the roof. Draws the attention the orange colour on the upper deck, the cork coating in some walls, and the geometric lines of the building that is surrounded by 15 acres of land mostly occupied with vineyard.

The single, option tour, gives you access to the port, red and white wine cellars and to the tasting of two wines from the wine list.

It’s worth visiting this work of Siza Vieira, winner of the architectural awards 2010/2011, not only for the building itself but also for the amount of wines to choose from.

Paço dos Cunhas
de Santar

The Paço of the wedge was built Santaren em 1609, always devoted to agriculture, namely the production of olive oil, fruits and wine., was acquired in 2008 it was bought by Dão Sul and converted to receive wine tourists. Are defined as the pearl of the Dão and we can only agree.

We entered the palace by an imposing gate and, the building that houses the modern lines winebar and restaurant were not finding, think that we were projectados time, several centuries in time. The right side of the building found the vineyards, we have the opportunity to visit, and from where come the grapes that make the red and white wines from Casa Santar. We follow the garden edges, and the flower mazes, and we take time to contemplate our surroundings calmly.

It’s without a doubt a romantic kind of place., It’s worth to visit with time not only the space but also the restaurant with its signature cuisine.

Aliança Undergroung
Museum

“And now for something completely different”… is the famous words of Monty Python in the head VEM to reach the Alliance Underground Museum. Because let's see, is a wine cellar? Yes ... But it is also a museum that wants to be a british subway. Confused? We explain.

Alliança's wine cellar was founded in 1927 in Anadia, by 11 wine producers, champagne and spirits. In 2007, were acquired by Bacalhôa Group has invested heavily to recover the premises, and turned part of it into a museum that opened in 2010.

The Alliance Underground Museum is therefore a unique underground museum that combines art and wine. The art comes from the Berardo Collection and traditional wine cellars Alliance. These unfold in long underground passageways. Given Essa feature, gave bith to the idea of ​​organizing the exhibition as it was a british subway system, wherein each 8 collections represents a subway station.

The visit has a unique mode of 3 euros and included proof of a sparkling and the newly launched Paradise Night Out, an ideal refreshing drink for a summer party.

Quinta do Encontro

It was at the heart of the Bairrada region that we found Quinta do Encontro. Surrounded by vinyards, on top of a small hill, The building is stands out because of its circular shape and the its wood "armor". The bold and avant-garde architecture becomes even more impressive at night with light projectors turned on.

The visit, free, we have to say, goes up and down the building through a spiral path that resembles a corkscrew. The events room, passing throug the restaurant and the industrial looking cellar, everything is organized in a efficient way.

The short visit ends back at the shop where we are invited to discover the fascinating wines from Quinta de Cabriz and Quinta do Encontro. We propose the Bairrada region wines, of course, and the region sparkling wines.

Adega Mãe

Located in Torres Vedras, Adega Mãe is the newest winery on our itinerary. Opened in 2011, is defined as a space of creation and celebration of life.

A Adega, modern lines, lies on top of 30 hectares of vineyard and is as it were shelved in the landscape, which gives an aspect lha something futuristic but without neglecting the environment with the surrounding.

We started the visit by store and tasting room. The surroundings and tasteful decoration demonstrates that the entire structure has been designed thinking about your visitors. The room of the barrels can be contemplated in all its splendor through a glazed wall, from a room on the top floor.

You can enjoy, if you book first, a delicious meal of cod fish in the dining room with panoramic views over the vineyards. The winery also offers its visitors the chance to conduct courses and workshop on wine.

Due, where we can continue to delight us with the landscape, appreciate the wines chosen for proof. There are several tests to choose from, but we eventually opt for a White and Red by Dory 7 Euros.

Quinta Casal Branco

The Quinta de Casal Branco estate remains in the Cruz Sobral family since 1775 and nowadays is focused in the production of quality wines, to agriculture, forest related products and wine tourism.

The tour goes through the old cellars and renewed ones, the packing line and the gardens of the magnificent eighteenth century building still inhabited by the family. Trough previous booking is possible, also, stomp the grapes or ride a horse in the stables nearby. The tour ends with a wine tasting accompanied by cheese or other type of snacks.

In the end we are left alone in the store where we didn't bought souvenirs, but to wine bottles to open with friends because the souvenirs, those, we already took with us in our memories.

Adega Mayor

Designed by the famous architect Siza Vieira and inaugurated in 2007, this was the first signature winery built in Portugal. And nothing was left to chance. The simplicity of the traits cheats. From the wall thickness, to the ilumination in the barrel room, to the lawn and the reflecting water pool on the roof, everything has been designed to create a distinctive wine in a total harmony with the environment inside and outside.

The fermenting rooms and winemaking where everything is cutting edge technology contrasting with the fact that the harvest be done entirely by hand in order to select the best grapes will give wines of exception. The barrel cellar is unique because is the only existing wine cellar permanently illuminated in Portugal.

The terrace, where we can enjoy a magnificent view over the vineyards of the estate, Portalegre's montain and the town of Albuquerque, Spain, hides a number of curiosities that will not release because we do not like to spoil the surprises ...

The visit ends with proof of two wines brand Monte Mayor accompanied by red and white very precise explanations of our guide on the peculiarities of these wines. The visit and wine tasting cost us 3 Euros.

Herdade do Rocim

Herdade do Rocim presents itself to us as born of the earth, between two hills, divinely framed with the landscape that surrounds it. Comes to us so naturally, that looks like it was always here waiting for us, however, has only 7 years of existence, but that doesn't stop her from creating great wines, judging by the dozens of prizes won in so little time.

Surrounded by 70 hectares of Vinh, the harmony of this visit is complete and is not only the landscape but also the perfect combination between traditional and modernity throughout the process of creating wines. Inform us that the harvest by hand in order to choose the best fruit is made in exceptional years and that the best grapes are subjected to step, according to the traditional method, in mill stone marble that will give rise to wine Great Rocim. The visit takes place in a good mood, in a friendly environment, almost familiar. We chose “Prova Rocio” with a white Rocim and a red Herdade do Rocim accompanied with regional cheeses and Vidígueira bread as is explained in all detail what we can find in these unique wines.