You Deserve a Visit to the Douro Valley Wine Region

Most people don’t know this but the Douro Valley is considered for many as a luxury wine region in the North of Portugal with a history that goes way back in time. While this region is already renowned worldwide, it has been experiencing a bit of a renaissance during the last years with new and old wineries that have been working nonstop to continuously reclaim all of the glory of this region.

You probably already know that the Douro Valley is a renowned region with incredible wine tours, some consider the best wine tours in Europe, and of course, that is filled with incredible wine estates. But let us tell you more incredible facts about these outstanding Portuguese wine region.

Being this said, we can consider that the Douro is the Port Wine Country, the Port and DOC Douro wines are made only with native grape varieties, and the authentic port is made at ‘quintas’ (estates) along a narrow river gorge that winds 100 miles through the mountain ranges.

Along the region, there are over two hundred estates in the Douro Valley, another two incredible curiosities are that the terraces of vines in the Douro Valley were introduced by the Romans in the third century A.D, and the River Douro rises in Spain and flows across Northern Portugal reaching the sea at Porto.

Furthermore, the delicious Port Wine that was produced in the Douro Valley was once shipped downriver to the city of Porto in sailboats called ‘Rabelos’.

It is also, important to note that the Spring and fall are mild, with incredible daytime temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees, it is actually in the fall that the grape harvest season starts, in the month of September. A must experience for any wine lover in the world, in which you will learn a little bit more about the ancient Portuguese traditions that are still intact until nowadays and is possible to watch in a Harvest.

As we told you before the Valley has around two hundred estates, but only offers luxurious and memorable experiences.
One of them is the incredible Quinta do Vallado, this estate was built in 1716 and is one of the oldest estates of the region. The Quinta has a range of incredible offers, but for the travel elite, there is the private visit and wine tasting, where you can personalize by choosing some of the most exclusive wines, like some vintage,  that you always desired to taste. Other estates that have this type of private wine tasting including the visit, consist of the Quinta do Noval, Quinta de Nápoles, and Quinta da Romaneira.

For a vintage over-the-top experience we suggest the Quinta das Carvalhas. This famed estate, which is considered the crown jewel of Real Companhia Velha, is one of the most emblematic and spectacular properties of the valley, in which its history is traced back to 1759. The Carvalhas’ old vines are a post-phylloxera plantation, which has reached the respectful age of a century old and represent one of the richest selection of ancient indigenous Douro varieties. And that is why in the private wine tasting you will experience some of the top-notch wines of this estate, as well, the viticultural manager of the estate will give you a personal tour.

For a Premium Vintage ou Tawnie experience, we suggest the Quinta do Bonfim, which belongs to the Symington Family Estates. The Quinta is the birthplace of two of the 21st century’s most famous ports: Dow’s 2007 Vintage Port, the only Vintage Port made this century to have been awarded a perfect 100 Points by the renowned Wine Spectator, as well as Dow’s 2011 Vintage Port which was nominated the N°1 Wine in the World in 2014 by the same influential publication. Need for us to say more? A unique and authentic wine tasting awaits you.

For a premium wine tasting, get to unveil the wines of  Quinta de La Rosa. In 1988 La Rosa starts making port under its own label again and soon after is one of the first Quintas to produce wine.

For a Taylor-made experience, Quinta do Ventozelo is an amazing option. The estate was once farmed by Cistercian monks who inhabited the region in the Middle Age, but years later the monks transformed local agriculture and began the production of port wine. The first historical mention of Ventozelo dates from 1288. What are you waiting for tasting a delicious Port?

For an exclusive experience, Quinta Nova is the must-visit estate.  With a bi-centennial history, Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo extends over 120 hectares of land, referenced since the first pombaline demarcation in 1756. Also, you will be guided to some important places that belong to the estate and end with an exclusive wine tasting.

Last but not least, Quinta do Crasto is one incredible and very awarded estate that offers also a range of private and exclusive experiences, like its wine tastings. For the second consecutive year, Quinta do Crasto is included in the Top 10 of the World’s Best Vineyards, having been the awarded 8th place in the 2020 edition. Being this mention, you have already understood that its wines are in a higher category that will delight your senses, in particular your palate.

Knowing the Douro is not just passing through the region. It is to know its estates, its traditional and historic vineyards, its must-exclusive wineries, its premium, and awarded wines. Unveil with us this outstanding region of the north of Portugal, trough our very luxurious and exclusive tours, you will see the wonderful vineyards and fascinating culture of this country, taste port wine, local foods, and other secrets that we only reveal to our bespoke clients.