Portugal Wine Tour - Day One

Arriving into Lisbon airport, you will be picked up  from the airport and driven to our luxury accomodation on the coast just outside Cascais. With stunning views overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the Fortaleza do Guincho is a charming five star boutique hotel, orginally built in the 17th century. A sophisticated decor and the elegant and quiet atmosphere preserve the original style of the building. The Hotel’s restaurant, with Franco - Portuguese cuisine has been awarded a Michelin Star and offers an unforgettable dining experience.

Our first evening at Fortaleza do Guincho you will enjoy a wine tasting with Nathalie and resident sommelier Inacio Loureiro, where you will travel through the different varieties of the best wines of Portugal. This will be a highlight of the tour as Nathalie has selected 8 wine regions of Portugal for you to sample. Over four evenings, you will taste the best wines from two regions, matched exquisitely with a menu specially prepared by Nathalie and Chef Miguel Vieira.

Overnight: 5 star luxury hotel with sea views
Meals Included: à la carte dinner and wine in Fortaleza do Guincho's Michelin star restaurant. This evenings featured wine regions: Vinho Verde and Douro Valley
Transfers: Lisbon airport to Cascais

Portugal Wine Tour - Day Two

After waking to the stunning sea views and sound of the ocean, you may choose a walk along the beautiful Guincho beach before your breakfast in the dining room. In the morning we visit and say hello to the enchanting Quinta de Sant’Ana, an historic family run wine estate just a short drive away. It's an idyllic working farm run by the Frost family and the owner, James himself will host a short visit to the softly rolling vineyards followed by a tasting in the impressive century-old cellar. The wines of Quinta de Sant’Ana are “cool climate” and their aim is to produce fresh, mineral gastronomic wines with great texture and a lengthy finish. Nathalie will host a specially prepared lunch that matches beautifully the estate wines with local delicacies prepared by their chef, Marco Moura.

The afternoon will be see some free time where we take you to the remarkable Palace of Pena which stands atop a rocky peak in the Sintra hills. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site and you will be free to explore for a few hours before we take the short drive back to our luxury accommodation and the evenings dinner at Fortaleza do Guincho.

Overnight: 5 star luxury hotel with sea views
Meals Included: Gourmet breakfast, lunch with wine pairings at Quinta de Sant’Ana, à la carte dinner and wine in Fortaleza do Guincho's Michelin star restaurant. This evenings featured wine regions: Dao and Bairrada

Portugal Wine Tour - Day Three

After waking up to a breakfast on the ocean terrace, we will take a short drive to Manz Wines in Cheleiros. There are not many wineries in the world that can lay claim to be the ONLY producer of  a wine variety. Our host, the passionate André Manz, will delight in telling you the story behind his discovery of the unique Jambal vines in his initial small vineyard. André will personally conduct a tour through his winery and vineyard after which we will taste his award winning wines and of course, sample the unique Dona Fátima Jambal. We also have the option of having Ricardo Morais, Sommelier of the Year 2011 by Revista dos Vinhos, conduct a half day "Unveiling Wine" course for us at the winery*. We will discuss your interest in this course at the time of your booking.

Just up the hill from the winery, lunch will be at the nearby Tasquinha Do Gil restaurant- a truly authentic, country-style dining experience. No Michelin stars here but a rustic atmosphere, real Portuguese cuisine matched with the wines of André Manz.

The remainder of the afternoon we are free to keep options open depending on your energy levels before heading back to Fortaleza do Guincho and an evening meal in the Michelin star rated restaurant.

Overnight: 5 star luxury hotel with sea views
Meals Included: Gourmet breakfast, authentic Portuguese lunch with wine pairings, à la carte dinner in Fortaleza do Guincho dining room. This evenings featured wine regions: Ribatejo and Estremadura

Portugal Wine Tour - Day Four

Perhaps a morning walk along the beautiful Guincho beach before your gourmet breakfast? Another wine experience awaits us on Day 4. Nathalie will take you to another unique wine region and winery. With grapes grown in the vineyards planted in the dunes between the hills of Sintra and the Atlantic Ocean, Adega Viúva Gomes winery has been producing quality wines since 1808. The terroir results in some truly remarkable wines and we will have a personal tasting in the centuries old cellar after a seeing first hand the unique wine growing methods required in the Colares region.A highlight of our visit will be tasting a 1934 vintage Colares Ramisco, a truly remarkable red wine.

Lunch will be a special treat as we dine at the beachside Restaurante da Adraga. Situated on a beautiful, remote beach, it's literally a stone's throw from the water and the views are mesmerising. Even better is the traditional Portuguese cuisine with the freshest seafood a speciality. Matched with wines selected by Nathalie, your lunch will be truly memorable.

After a few days of touring, after lunch it's time to either do some sightseeing or relax and unwind at Fortaleza do Guincho. Nathalie suggests nearby O Moinho, Cabo Da Roca is a memorable visit. Stunning views and a relaxed place for an afternoon drink of coffee.  A little bit of 'quiet time' before our grand finale tomorrow.

Overnight: 5 star luxury hotel with sea views
Meals Included: Gourmet breakfast, lunch with wine pairings at Restaurante da Adraga, à la carte dinner and wine in Fortaleza do Guincho's Michelin star restaurant. This evenings featured wine regions: Alentejo and Terras do Sado

Portugal Wine Tour - Day Five

For something a little different, we will head south over the river to the Casa Agrícola Horácio Simões, founded by José Carvalho Simões, a century-old winery.  

Located in Quinta do Anjo in Palmela, it's an area noted for outstanding, quality wine, especially Moscatel, Moscatel Roxo and Red Palmela. Here they pride themselves in producing purely crafted artisan wines using traditional processes.

After a private tasting at Casa Agrícola Horácio Simões , we will take a short drive to the Palácio and Quinta da Bacalhôa. Much has been written about this estate but the conclusion is always the same: it's a Masterpiece. It's at Bacalhoa Vinhos de Portugal where wine, food and art come together in a seamless and sumptuous blend. We will enjoy a refined lunch where Nathalie will expertly pair the menue with their legendary estate wines. It's a showcase of the region's finest cuisine and wine where you will experience the best Bacalhôa Vinhos de Portugal's hospitality.  Lunch at the estate which will bring to a close our Secrets of Portugal wine tour.

Meals Included: gourmet breakfast, lunch at Quinta da Bacalhôa paired with estate wines
Transfers: Quinta da Bacalhôa to central Lisbon or airport

* Unveiling Wine course content

• The Origin of Wine
• Historical Wine Facts
• Coffee Break
• Description of Portuguese Regions
• Grapes varieties: types and differences
• Main profiles of wine
• Technical Terms
• Sensory description
• Wine Aroma Wheel
• Temperatures
• Storage
• Gastronomic harmonies
• Aromas box
• Wine Tasting