An important activity in the city’s history and deeply steeped into its heart and soul, wine production is undoubtedly a local staple in Porto. In fact, chances are that most people knew about port wine before even hearing about the city! That being said, you definitely owe the Alto Douro Wine Region a day trip if you’re visiting Porto anytime soon. Famous for its scenic views and never-ending vineyards, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a thing of beauty, especially if you fancy a more relaxed experience and enjoy slow-travelling (yeah, apparently being lazy when travelling is now posh!). In order to make the most of your visit, we recommend that you rent a car while in the city and make your way through the lush green valleys and its winding roads, hopping from winery to winery till sunset. Sounds charming, doesn’t it?
HERE ARE 4 AMAZING WINERIES YOU CAN ROAD TRIP TO AROUND PORTO
QUINTA DAS CARVALHAS
Considered the biggest winery in the region, stretching for a whopping 600 acres of land, Quinta das Carvalhas is the proverbial kind of bam everyone is looking to start with. In fact, nowhere else will you find a better 360º view of the Douro River and its surrounding scenery, as this winery is directly linked to one of the area’s most popular viewpoints (Casa Redonda) through a private road. At a height of 550m, you won’t even need their Vinho Verde to get dizzy, although you should most definitely give it a try! Standard tours include a guided visit of the winery and a sample of 3 of their signature wines, accompanied by a cheese board. These can be booked for 35€ and are available every day between 10am and 6pm.
ALSO: Book A Full-Day Douro Valley Wine Tour From Porto
READ ALSO: 5 Hidden Natural Gems Near Porto You Must Road Trip To This Summer
QUINTA DA PACHECA
Photo courtesy of: Quinta da Pacheca
How about taking your visit one step further by actually spending the night in one of these amazing wineries? And since you’re going all-in on this, you might as well do it big! At Quinta da Pacheca, you can sleep in luxury suites built in the shape of actual wine barrels, with amazing panoramic views of the Douro Valley and a skylight for you to watch the stars while lying on your bed. However, and though that does sound like quite the experience, at the hefty average price of 200€/night we understand you might not be ready for the hole that would leave in your pocket. But don’t feel discouraged just yet – Quinta da Pacheca offers one of the most budget-friendly tours in the Alto Douro Wine Region, with guided visits and wine tastings available from 11€/pax. This winery is open to visitors every day between 10am and 7pm.
ALSO: Book A 4WD Tour Through Douro Valley
READ ALSO: Where To Go Wine Tasting In Porto
QUINTA NOVA LUXURY WINERY HOUSE
If you’re an avid fan and a true connoisseur, Quinta Nova is the winery you’ll want to visit on your Douro day trip! Here, not only will you have the chance to try their trademark Douro DOC wines (our acronym for PDO), but you can actually create your very own customized version at the end of the tour. Just state the alcohol content, the acidity and the sweetness you want, as well the aftertaste you’re looking for, and they’ll have it mixed for you! Just make sure you can hide your disgusted face after trying your own creation and comparing it to their premium versions. Make no mistake – this is Ivy League baby! In order to enjoy this experience, you’ll have to book their “Enologist for 1 Day” tour, which is available for 85€.
ALSO: Book A Douro Valley Cruise Excursion
READ ALSO: Top 3 Port Wine Tasting Experiences Of Porto
QUINTA DO VALLADO
Photo courtesy of: Quinta do Vallado
Passed down from generation to generation, Quinta do Vallado is a prominent winery in the region that was built over 2 centuries ago by one of the most legendary figures in the Portuguese wine-production scene – Antónia Adelaide Ferreira, aka Ferreirinha. If her nickname is ringing some bells, that’s probably because you’ve heard about the famous port wine brand named after her! A lady way ahead of her time, it left a huge legacy their descendants are making sure to respect and protect, and Quinta do Vallado – managed by their great-great-great-grandchildren – stands as one of the finest examples of her lifework. Their wine cellar is open to visitors every day, with regular tours taking place at 11am, noon and 2h45pm. These include a wine tasting and tickets can be bought onsite for 17,50€.
Quinta do Vallado, Vilarinho dos Freires
Buckle-up already, because it sounds like this is going to be quite the day trip! Which of these wineries will you be paying a visit? Do you plan on spending the night in any of these? Make sure to let us know on the comments section!
