Sleeping in barrels, flying over the vineyards in balloon rides, relaxing in spas with wine-based treatments, or admiring the beautiful view of Porto in a decanter-shaped pool are just some of the wine tourism experiences in Portugal. The best part is that many of these activities take place at wineries with hotels, where you can stay and enjoy wine tourism in Portugal at the same time.
More than just visiting the producing regions and tasting their countless labels, the Quintas and Herdades – names that designate large rural properties and are synonymous with wineries in Portugal – are also home to luxury hotels, mainly in the Douro and Alentejo regions.
Wine Hotels in Portugal: Douro and North
The Wine House Hotel – Quinta da Pacheca
Considered one of the most traditional wineries in the Alto Douro, Quinta da Pacheca attracts tourists for a peculiar accommodation: the chance to sleep inside a wine barrel, or rather, a barrel-shaped room.
The Wine House Hotel gained in 2018 the Pacheca Wine Barrels project, luxurious double suites with 35 square meters and a skylight to see the stars. In addition to the barrels, the hotel also offers lodging in its 18th-century mansion and many experiences such as a massage session in the middle of the vineyards and the famous grape-treading, a traditional method of maceration by barefoot.
Quinta do Vallado Wine Hotel
Constructed in 1716, it is one of the oldest wineries in the Douro Valley and combines history and modernity. The Quinta do Vallado Hotel, in Peso da Régua, has 13 rooms: 5 in the original 18th-century house and 8 in the modern 21st-century building. The restaurant, exclusive for guests, uses organic food from its vegetable garden.
Besides the typical wine tourism activities, it also promotes agritourism, including trails, fishing, and tours (jeep, bicycle, kayaks). It is possible to relax in the swimming pool with panoramic views or the spa, with a jacuzzi, Turkish bath, and sauna.
Among the treatments, you can enjoy the massage with essential oils and vinotherapy. About 25 km from the hotel is Casa de Mateus, which produces the country’s most famous rosé, thus expanding your experience with wine tourism in Portugal.
Quinta de La Rosa
This family-owned winery is located in Alto Douro Wine Region. It produces iconic wines such as Quinta de La Rosa Vale do Inferno. By betting on wine tourism and opening the 23 rooms of the house, it gave guests the privilege of enjoying some of the highest schist walls in the Douro (5 meters high).
Traditionally producing table and port wines, olive oil, and vinegar, recently launched its craft beer, La Rosa, in IPA and lager styles. There are also experiences with pairings in its two restaurants. The traditional Casa de Clara promotes regional cuisine, while Tim’s Terrace is on a terrace with a privileged view of the Douro.
Six Senses Douro Valley
The hotel offers the most varied experiences of country life combined with wine tourism. It includes train and boat rides and helicopter flights over the Douro River. Also, the more radical activities, such as canyoning, rafting, rappelling, and tree climbing.
Six Sense Douro Valley was also the Winner of the Best Wine Tourism 2020 award in the category Sustainable Practices in Wine Tourism, the 60-room and villa resort allocates part of its income to a sustainability fund. Definitely one of the best wine hotels in Portugal!
Monverde Wine Hotel
Located in the Quinta da Lixa winery in Telões, the hotel features bold architecture in the Vinho Verde region and won the Best Accommodation of 2021 award by the Best of Wine Tourism Awards.
Among the experiences are harmonized menus, picnics in the vineyards, bike rides, and even painting with wine. At the spa, treatments are focused on the properties of the grape. Another activity is the possibility of becoming a “Winemaker for a day”. The attraction allows guests to create their Vinho Verde from the five grape varieties available at the estate – Alvarinho, Arinto, Avesso, Loureiro, and Trajadura.
Quinta do Ameal – Wine & Tourism Terroir
Located in the Lima River valley, in the heart of the Vinhos Verdes region in Alto Minho, Quinta do Ameal is a 1710 historic property with a very intimate proposal for wine tourism. There are only five suites, created from rural houses, providing privacy and tranquillity for family vacations in the countryside.
The farm has about 30 hectares, 14 of which are vineyards of the Loureiro variety, recognized for the quality of its white wines. Around eight hectares are forested with walnut, chestnut, and umbrella pine trees, some of which are over 200 years old. Guests can also relax in the garden or by the pool, go for walks, have picnics and activities on the Lima River.
The Yeatman
Although not located in a winery, the hotel in Vila Nova de Gaia was Portugal’s first luxury wine hotel and today is part of the Relais & Châteaux in Portugal. Overlooking the Douro River with a decanter-shaped infinity pool, it is revered by many as having the best view in Porto.
There is no room like the other: all 109 suites are custom-decorated and have a touch of local wine producers. The spa signed by Caudalie has a wide range of wine-based treatments, such as immersion in barrels.
Related posts:
Travel Guide – Douro Valley Wine Region
Wine Hotels in Portugal: Alentejo and Center
Torre de Palma Wine Hotel
With whitewashed walls, typical Alentejo decoration, the hotel is close to the town of Monforte, attracting attention for its wide range of rural experiences. Among them, balloon rides, stargazing, horseback riding with a picnic in the olive groves, workshops, and bike rides through the vineyards – where seven grape varieties grow, including Alvarinho, Arinto, and Touriga Nacional.
Torre de Palma wine hotel also has indoor and outdoor pools and a Turkish bath. The rooms are thematic and quite different from each other. One thing in common is the unique decoration by the renowned Portuguese decorator Rosarinho Gabriel, who recovered several antique furniture pieces. The master suite has 80m² and a private pool.
Hotel Herdade da Malhadinha Nova РRelais & Ch̢teaux
Herdade Malhadinha is for sure a unique wine hotel in Portugal. With the Relais & Châteaux label, the Country House & Spa in Albernoa, Alentejo, brings a perfect harmony between rural and wine tourism without setting aside luxury and modernity. Decoration pieces signed by Philippe Starck and Bulgari brand amenities add to its charm.
The young winery (since 2003) mixes classic Portuguese varieties, such as Arinto and Touriga Nacional, with some traditional international ones, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Chardonnay.
There is also cattle breeding and production of honey and olive oil, always respecting sustainable practices. Balloon rides, skydiving, canoeing on the Guadiana River, and even campaniça guitar lessons, a traditional Portuguese stringed musical instrument, are some of the memorable experiences.
Palace Hotel do Bussaco
Portugal’s last royal palace is the producer of an iconic wine that, for many decades, could only be tasted inside the property. Located north of Coimbra in the Bairrada region, the property has an immense forest and majestic rooms capable of making its guests feel like kings and queens.
The sumptuous dining room was once the stage for royal banquets and today houses the renowned João Vaz restaurant. The exclusive wine has been made the same way for 70 years with grapes from the Dão and Bairrada. Even today, very few bottles leave the five-star hotel, and Brazil is one of the rare importers.
Read more: Best cities to visit in Alentejo
