PORTUGAL WINE TOURS
The Great Lodges & Quintas of the Douro Valley & Vinho Verde
VISIT THE MOST SPECTACULAR VINEYARDS IN THE WORLD, IN STYLE
Wine-lovers are blessed with many beautiful and historic vineyard regions to visit, but few can rival the sheer majesty of Portugal’s Douro Valley, home to the famously long-lived wines of Port. On this luxury 5-day tour, you will trace the history and production of this centuries-old aristocratic wine style, from the timeless ageing cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, to the UNESCO world heritage site vineyards.
You will be welcomed at the top Port houses, served unique wines mellowed by decades of ageing, accompanied by fine food and breathtaking views. You will also discover the best of the exciting new Douro table wines, as well as fresh, vibrant Vinho Verde.
Best of all, you will travel in comfort and style, staying in 5-star hotels and eating in the best restaurants, with extra scenic excursions by both boat and train, all the while accompanied by knowledgeable British Master of Wine, Colin Gent MW.
I invite you to join us on this wonderful tour.
JAMES CLUER, MASTER OF WINE
ABOUT THE TOUR & REGION
EUROPE’S BEST KEPT SECRET
Portugal is a fascinating blend of tradition and innovation, infused with genuinely warm hospitality. Nearly 600 years ago, Portuguese mariners set sail across the oceans to discover New Worlds. Now we invite you to come and discover their home, their hospitality, and their outstanding wines.
Over 5 days and 4 nights you’ll explore the historic Port lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia, the refreshing wines of Vinho Verde, and the majestic vineyards of the Douro Valley, tasting the finest wines, enjoying exclusive experiences, and staying in luxury along the way.
EUROPE’S BEST KEPT SECRET
Portugal is a fascinating blend of tradition and innovation, infused with genuinely warm hospitality. Nearly 600 years ago, Portuguese mariners set sail across the oceans to discover New Worlds. Now we invite you to come and discover their home, their hospitality, and their outstanding wines.
Over 5 days and 4 nights you’ll explore the historic Port lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia, the refreshing wines of Vinho Verde, and the majestic vineyards of the Douro Valley, tasting the finest wines, enjoying exclusive experiences, and staying in luxury along the way.
LUXURY & CHARM
The twin cities of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia are linked by the famous Dom Luis Bridge, built by Gustave Eiffel. Allowing you to arrive through Porto airport, we spend the first two nights at the luxurious Yeatman Hotel, the best address in Vila Nova. Then, we move up into the dramatic Douro Valley, where another 5-star hotel awaits us for the second half of the trip, the delightful and utterly charming Vintage House Hotel.
VINHO VERDE & PINHAO
On the third morning, we journey inland towards the Douro vineyards, stopping en route to discover the light and super-refreshing white wines of Vinho Verde. That afternoon and the next day, we explore 5 different “Quintas” – single-estate producers of Port and exciting red and white table wines – concentrated around Pinhão, at the heart of the celebrated Cima Corgo district. The celebrated Quinta do Noval and an unforgettable dinner at Quinta do Bomfim are among those who welcome us. We will even be able to try grape- treading in the granite lagares at Quinta da Roeda. This is such fun!
The idyllic riverside setting of the Vintage House hotel will allow us to unwind for our 2 days in the Douro.
THE UPPER DOURO
Some of the most spectacular vineyards are to be found even further upriver, in the wild mountainous region known as the Upper Douro. We take the most scenic of train journeys between river and mountain, alighting at the winery’s own train station, for a last day of vineyard discovery, great wines and warm hospitality, before returning to Pinhão, and from there back to Vila Nova.
THE UPPER DOURO
Some of the most spectacular vineyards are to be found even further upriver, in the wild mountainous region known as the Upper Douro. We take the most scenic of train journeys between river and mountain, alighting at the winery’s own train station, for a last day of vineyard discovery, great wines and warm hospitality, before returning to Pinhão, and from there back to Vila Nova.
MEET YOUR HOST
Our Luxury Wine Tours in Portugal are guided by Master of Wine, Colin Gent.
COLIN Master of Wine, having passed the exams in 2003, with the prize for best paper in the Business of Wine. An accomplished public speaker as well as an expert taster, Colin has hosted wine tastings, seminars, masterclasses and dinners all over the world. His self-stated greatest pleasure is sharing his knowledge and passion for wine, and the history, the geography and culture that shape it, with any and all who find wine intriguing or inspiring, regardless their level of expertise.
Colin provides sales and marketing consultancy services to importers and exporters, as well as offering high-end wine education and wine tourism. He is a lead lecturer in the Wine Business Masters programs at Kedge Business School and teaches WSET Level 4 at WiSP Bordeaux. Previously, he worked 16 years for the Bordeaux-based wine broker Europvin, with responsibilities for portfolio selection and supplier relations, communications and promotion of prestigious estates such as E. Guigal, Vega Sicilia, and Emilio Lustau sherries.
A graduate of Oxford University, where he majored in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, his wine career has taken him from London to Bordeaux via Napa Valley, Paris, Provence and Tokyo.
UPCOMING PORTUGAL WINE TOUR
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Included in the price is two nights’ accommodation at the 5-star Yeatman Hotel in Vila Nova de Gaia and two nights accommodation at the 5-star Vintage House Hotel in Pinhão, all meals during the tour (except one free evening), all winery tours, all wines at tastings and meals, local transport for the duration of the tour, and all taxes and gratuities.
Basically everything is included except your flights to and from Porto, your transfer to the hotel, insurance, and any items of a personal nature.
PLANNING TIPS
Before the tour we will send you some useful pre-trip information to help you with your planning. Here you’ll find advice on how to get there, tips on what to wear, other things to do in Porto and Vila Nova, and details on the hotels.
WEATHER
We like to visit in the Spring or Fall, avoiding the excess heat of midsummer. Vila Nova / Porto has a pleasing moderate climate because of its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. In the Douro Valley, the weather can be 5-10 degrees F (2 – 3 degrees C) warmer and is usually dry and sunny.
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