Private Port Lodge Tour in Porto
This private full-day excursion combines two historic Port lodge visits in Vila Nova de Gaia with lunch at Vinum and a privately guided tour of central Porto. The port wine lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia, across the river from the atmospheric Portuguese city of Porto, are a once-in-a-lifetime “must-do” for wine lovers visiting Northern Portugal. Vila Nova is one of Europe’s classic destinations for Port wine lovers. Most famous Port Houses have lodges here, including Taylor’s, Graham’s, Ramos Pinto, Rozès, Warre’s, Ferreira, Croft, Offley, and Sandeman.
Today, you will learn all about the fascinating history of port wine production and its impact on everything from politics to wine trends to wine marketing.
Port is produced in the Douro Demarcated Region, where grapes are grown, harvested, vinified, and fortified at Douro estates known as quintas. Traditionally, many Ports were then matured and stored in the bonded lodges of Vila Nova de Gaia, although aging may also take place in the Douro before bottling and shipment.
Many of Gaia’s historic Port houses date to the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, and they are supremely charming, with old cellars and great views over the river.
You will enjoy private tours, getting extra special treatment at each lodge, and tasting wines not offered on regular visits such as top vintages.
You will discover the many pleasures of Port today, tasting the main Port wine styles, including White Port, Ruby, LBV, Tawny and Vintage Port.
If you are a couple or a small group of friends looking to explore this rich heritage and discover the gastronomic delights of this city and region, contact us today to start planning your bespoke Port Lodge wine adventure.
As featured in
Signature journey
Highlights include private Mercedes transport, private Port lodge visits and tastings, lunch at Vinum, and a privately guided tour of central Porto.
Day 1Porto - Vila Nova de Gaia -Porto
Views from Grahams Vinum restaurant
Morning: Your private driver in a luxurious Mercedes will pick you up from your Porto hotel or cruise. Then, drive into Vila Nova de Gaia, crossing the Ponte de Dom Luís I / Luiz I Bridge to your first port wine lodge of the day- the renowned Taylor’s Port Lodge. Founded in 1692, Taylor’s is one of the oldest of the founding Port houses. They produce exclusively Port wine.
You will have a private tour of the mythical aging cellars, finishing with a VIP tasting on the terrace (weather permitting) or in a cozy private room. Typical tastings may include Taylor’s Chip Dry, LBV, and aged Tawny, with the option to upgrade to rare Vintage Port selections.
Next to the pretty Graham’s lodge, part of the Symington family’s wine empire. The lodge holds around 3,500 casks, containing several million liters of wine. Tour the lodge with a private guide, then end your morning of Port tasting with a private premium tasting featuring mature Tawny and Vintage Ports from the Symington family portfolio.
Lunch: By now, you will be ready for lunch, and you can look forward to the superb Vinum restaurant at Graham’s. Here you will tuck into some of the best traditional, regional dishes, including Alheira de Mirandela or Vaca Velha beef from Trás-os-Montes. All paired with Symington wines, of course!
Your personalized tasting menu will spotlight culinary masterpieces, including aromatic smoked Alheira sausages from Mirandela, freshly caught fish from the esteemed Matosinhos Market, and exquisite, rare Vaca Velha beef from Trás-os-Montes. The restaurant sommelier will ensure your dishes are paired perfectly with the finest Portuguese wines.
Afternoon: After a leisurely lunch, it is time to work off some calories with a privately guided tour of central Porto. Your chauffeur will take you across the bridge to São Bento Train Station in downtown Porto, where you will meet your friendly, expert local guide. Discover secret, hidden places only a local knows. Porto’s historic centre was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996. You will take in the main city icons: Avenida dos Aliados, São Bento Railway Station, street art, Café Majestic, Mercado do Bolhão, traditional shops, Clérigos Church and Tower, Livraria Lello, Rua das Flores, and Ribeira.
Evening: Return to your hotel in Porto in the early evening after this unforgettable gourmet wine tour.
We look forward to seeing you again!
Genevieve has spent more than 20 years creating private food and wine journeys across Spain, Portugal and France. She regularly visits the regions featured in these collections, meeting winery, hotel, local guides, and restaurant partners, exploring new experiences, and reviewing feedback from Cellar Tours guests. Her role is to help travelers choose the wine region, itinerary style, and pace that best match their interests—not simply the destination with the most famous name.
International flights, travel insurance, personal expenses, optional spa treatments, gratuities and meals or tastings not listed in your itinerary are usually not included unless specifically stated.
All wine visits and tastings are private and pre-arranged for your party.
Yes, 100%. Share mobility considerations, allergies, dietary preferences, and pacing needs early so we can adapt hotels, transport, restaurants, and visits wherever possible.
Louise, London
The organisation of the tour was very good.
The three lodges visited were all different, each with unique features. The best tour of the cellars was at Sandeman, and it was good to start the day there; this formed a basis of our understanding of how Port is made and the different classifications. The best tasting was at Graham’s, which had an excellent range of styles and vintages to taste from. There was a LOT of food at lunch, and it was very good. The Mercedes was clean and comfortable, the driver was punctual, friendly, and knew a lot about the City. The tour of Oporto was very good; it provided more history about why the town grew the way it did. Our guide was very knowledgeable and interesting. The personalized tasting notes were a lovely touch. I would recommend Cellar Tours after this experience. I feel that you got us access to more interesting tastings than we would have done if we were there on our own.
