Eight of the best wine tasting spots on a Douro river cruise
The Douro, Portuguese for ‘golden’, is the third-longest river in the Iberian Peninsula, stretching 620 miles from Porto to the Spanish town of Duruelo de la Sierra. It attracts a variety of cruise ships, which sail by dramatic hillsides that drop vertically to the waterfront, and copious vineyards.
A typical day ashore might include walking, fishing and drinking a glass of Port wine at one of the quintas (wineries). Here we highlight the best...
Quinta do Bomfim
In the picturesque small town of Pinhão, this family estate provides picnics, wine tasting sessions and self-guided tours.
Stroll through the wine terraces and vast vineyards, which have been operated by the Symington family for five generations. Make a stop at Bomfim Old Lodge, built in 1896, where Port wines are kept from each harvest. In here you’ll find 14 seasoned oak vats that have matured every Dow’s Vintage Port for over 100 years.
In 2014, Quinta do Bomfim’s Dow’s 2011 Vintage Port was named the world’s number one by magazine, Wine Spectator.
Quinta das Carvalhas
Standing at 1805ft (550m) of altitude on top of the mountain of Carvalhas, this quinta offers mesmerising views over the Douro valley. Take the Vintage Tour and you’ll be escorted by an agricultural engineer who will describe the local heritage. Afterwards enjoy a few glasses of traditional Douro Doc White Wine.
Adega Cooperativa de Favaios
Slightly off the beaten track, Adega Cooperativa de Favaios is situated in the quaint village of Favaios. Delve into the history of the village and the harvesting of its Favaios Moscatel wines or book a custom-arranged tour from harvest programmes to cheese and wine tastings. Expect to sample Porto Monge, Casa Velha, Adega de Favaios Red and Encostas de Favaios to name but a few.
Quinta do Crasto
On the right bank of the Douro River, Quinta do Crasto offers tours of the estate, vineyards, and cellars.
Taste port wines including celebrated home-grown wine, Quinta do Crasto Reserva Vinhas Velhas, with spectacular views of the valley; in fact, there is even an infinity pool perched atop the hill for the ultimate landscape gazing – pack your swimwear, it’s open to all guests.
Quinta do Panascal
This quinta, overlooking the Távora River, was one of the first wineries in the Douro region to open its doors to visitors. You can take a self-guided audio tour through the vineyards and, in grape-harvesting season, you can come here and watch the famed grape treading. The wine estate also serves up traditional delicacies such as a glass of Siroptimo (a blend of Siroco and tonic) and Bacalhau (codfish).
Quinta Nova
250 years ago, Quinta Nova began harvesting their first grapes. The on-site ‘wine studio’ is a fairly petite winery. Discover how to bottle, cork and label the wine before taking your own creation away with you by enrolling in a ‘Winemaker for a day’ experience. Or, for a romantic outing, sign up for ‘One day in the harvest’ where you’ll spend your day grape picking through the vineyards, indulging in a lunch at the Conceitus Winery Restaurant and finishing off with a wine tasting in the cellar.
Quinta do Seixo
Dating back to the 17th century, Quinta do Seixo’s age contrasts with its surprisingly contemporary cellar design. It is situated in Cima-Corgo; a Unesco World Heritage Site. You can sip a glass or three while admiring the shale terraces and views of the nearby town: Pinhão. Take a picnic into the vineyards, enjoy a wine tasting or take a guided tour of the wine estate.
Quinta do Vallado
Perhaps the most contemporary looking in the Douro Valley, Quinta do Vallado also uses state-of-the-art technology, including a mechanical robot to tread the grapes. Architect Francisco Vieira de Campos is behind the hotel and winery. Built in 2009, its large block, flat-roofed buildings are coated with local burnt shale, giving a grey, textured finish to the exterior.
Inside, you’ll be taught about how the local Port and Douro Wines are produced at the quinta. Conclude your visit with a tasting session during which you could sample Moscatel Galego, Touriga Nacional and Port Twany (10 and 20 years old). You could also sign up to a private tour, with a customised tasting, a workshop to learn everything that’s behind a wine label or indulge in a ‘harmonised meal’ that matches wines with regional dishes.
How to do it
AmaWaterways seven-night ‘Flavours of Portugal & Spain’ round-trip from Porto calls at Entre-Os-Rios, Régua, Pinhão (for all of the quintas) and Vega Terrón, Spain. From £2,733pp, departing August 6, 2019 (amawaterways.com).
Other lines offering cruises on the Douro include Uniworld, Viking cruises, APT, CroisiEurope, Emerald Waterways, Jules Verne, Riviera Travel, Saga Holidays and Scenic.
