|
Vines cover approximately 15.4% of all the land in the region.
The land under vines is worked by approximately 33,000 farmers, each
owning an average of 1 ha under vines. Small farmers are strongly
represented in the production of Port Wine.
The region is home to many wineries. Some of the winners of the Best
of Wine Tourism Awards are listed here. Definitely worth a visit from
the wine tourist.
|
Caves Ferreira
(International Winner: Significant Wine Tourism Experiences Category
2006)
|
Established by a Douro family of land-owning
wine producers, in 1751, Ferreira has played a prominent role in the
history of Porto wine. Ferreira owes much to the contribution of Dona
Antónia Adelaide Ferreira, a legendary figure in the history of Port
wine. Created with passion and art, for more than 250 years, Ferreira is
a recognised symbol of the utmost quality, the Portuguese heart and soul
and the leading Porto Wine brand in Portugal. If you visit Porto, take
some time to discover one of the most prestigious and ancient Porto Wine
Brands in the country, and learn about Portugal through the history of
its most important wine. Ferreira, taste of tradition.
|
 |
Adriano Ramos Pinto –Vinhos, S.A.
Quinta de Ervamoira (National Winner: Parks & Gardens Category 2006)
|
The Quinta de Ervamoira is located in the
geographical heart of the Archaeological Park of the Côa Valley, on the
left bank of the river Côa. With a total area of 200 ha, this Quinta
was the first estate in the Douro Region to be planted vertically and by
fields. Each field would grow a different variety, thus putting an end
to the mixture of varieties in the vineyards.
With the onset of the construction of the Côa dam, the Quinta de
Ervamoira ran the risk of disappearing under water. The discovery of the
rock etchings in the Vale do Côa gave new hope to those who could not
conform themselves to the disappearance of a unique landscape, one which
had been enjoyed by men from the Palaeolithic age. When this threat
finally ended, the House Ramos Pinto decided to invest in the creation
of an on-site museum that can be visited with prior bookings.
With the decision taken by UNESCO to give the Vale do Côa etchings the
status of World Heritage, the Quinta de Ervamoira was given the
privilege of becoming the first wine producing estate to use the title
of Heritage of Mankind.
www.ramospinto.pt |
 |
Museum Casa Ramos Pinto (International Winner : Art & Culture
Category 2003)
|
| Open to the public since April 2002, the Museum Casa Ramos Pinto can
be visited in the former offices, which have remained intact since the
30’s. Here one can find testimonies of the past of the company, made
up of the history of its wines, the labels of its bottles, the medals or
the advertising commissioned from the best artists.
To visit this space is to discover how Adriano Ramos Pinto with his
innovative ideas, as a producer and a wine dealer, transformed the head
offices of his company into a palace to impress his clients and other
visitors.
Once you come in, the history of Casa Ramos Pinto is told through the
details of the architecture, of the awards and the objects in a true
voyage of atmospheres, images and stories through time. www.ramospinto.pt
|
 |
Porto Cálem Cellars
|
|
Established over 140 years ago, the Porto
Calém Cellars welcome over 100,000 visitors each year. The company owns
both extensive grape vineyards in the region and ageing cellars on the
waterfront at Vila Nova de Gaia , the area’s largest Portuguese owned
Port House. A strict adherence to quality control and a stated desire to
produce the best Port wines possible have earned the Porto Calém
Cellars a prestigious international reputation.
www.calem.pt |
 |
Quinta do Panascal
|
|
| Quinta do Panascal’s reputation goes back
to the 18th century when wines from the Rio Távora were considered to
be amongst the finest in Portugal . The property at the moment totals
just over 76 hectares of which, 44 hectares is under vine producing 858
hectoliters of port. All of the grapes are foot trodden in granite
lagares situated on the property. Quinta do Panascal is the most
important estate of Fonseca Guimaraens. The estate has been classified
as Grade A, which is the highest grade given to a quinta. The same
occurs with its famous wines, namely Fonseca Guimaraens Vintage 1994
which was recognized by the Wine Spectator Magazine as one of the best
wines in the world. Situated in the Douro Valley Region, Quinta do
Panascal is open to everyone wishing to visit one of the most famous
quintas in the region. |
 |
Taylor's
|
|
| Taylor's is now over 300 years old. It
remains a family firm, completely independent, owned still by relations
of the original partners. Taylor is accepted by most wine authorities to
be the greatest of all port shippers, famous especially for its sublime
and long-lived Vintage ports, which consistently fetch the highest
prices at auction, and for old, distinguished Tawny ports. Taylor
’s invites you to a pleasant and informative tour of its famous lodges
at Vila Nova de Gaia . Afterwards, relax on the terrace, which has
magnificent views over the city of Oporto and taste some of our renowned
Ports. In addition to the tours, the Visitors’ Centre has an
attractive Wine Shop and a restaurant which is open for lunch and
dinner. |
 |
Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo
|
|
|
The Rural Hotel of Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do
Carmo, the first wine hotel in Portugal, was created following the
reconstruction of the old manor house on this 120 hectare property.
Here, in harmony with nature and tradition, visitors can enjoy the many
wine and agricultural activities and experience the peace of the Douro
Valley . From the wine shop and the wine bar, the orchards and the
walking tracks, the oil museum or the underground cellar, the winter
garden or the shed and the magnificent swimming pool above the
vineyards, they are all ideal places to experience the workings of the
vineyard, to drink a good wine or to taste the best from the region.
www.quintanova.com |
 |
|
For more information about the wineries of
Porto visit: www.ivp.pt |
|
|
