Cascais Food & Wine Tour
Explore the coastal flavors of Portugal with our expert-guided food and wine tour in charming Cascais. Satisfy your taste buds and book now!
Port Lodge Wine Tour
Delight in the Complex Flavors of World-renowned Port Wines
EXPLORE ALL OUR EXPLORE YOUR PRIVATE WINE TOURS IN PORTUGAL
Overview of Port Lodge Wine Tour
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 the Mecca for Port wine fans. Most famous Port Houses have lodges here, including Taylor’s, Graham’s, Ramos Pinto, Rozès, Warres, Ferreira, Croft, Offley, and Sandeman.
On this VIP port wine excursion, you will visit two of the best Port lodges, enjoying exclusive access and a special lunch at one of Porto’s most excellent restaurants, Vinum, which stands as a culinary hallmark in Porto, offering an exceptional dining experience that centers on premium ingredients and the finest traditional flavors of Northern Portugal.
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 wines are not made at the historic wine lodges; they are produced in the beautiful Douro Valley, about a two-hour drive, or sail from Porto up the Douro River. The grapes are harvested, vinified, and fortified in the Douro wine estates (called “Quintas”) and then sent down to the lodges to be aged and stored before shipping to their markets worldwide.
Most of the Port lodges date back to the 1700s and 1800s, and they are supremely charming, with old cellars and great views over the river. Explore the charm of the lodges, where you’ll encounter vintage casks, their weathered wood telling a story of tradition and time, each a testament to the age-old craft of winemaking.
You will enjoy private tours, get special treatment at each lodge, and taste wines not offered on regular visits, such as top vintages. Immerse yourself in the intoxicating aromas of the cellars, where the subtle scents of oak and wine blend with the cool, earthy air, all punctuated by the soft echoes of clinking glasses as fellow connoisseurs toast to an unforgettable experience.
You will savor the crisp, fruity notes of White Port, the rich, full-bodied flavor of Ruby, the complexity of LBV, the nutty, caramel essence of Tawny, and the rare, elegant taste of Vintage Port.
If you are a couple or a small group of friends looking to explore this wonder heritage and discover the gastro delights of this wonder city and region, then contact us today and start planning your bespoke Port Lodge wine adventure.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Luxury Transportation: Enjoy the Comfort of a Chauffeured Mercedes
- VIP tour and tastings: at two Top Port Wine Lodges in Porto
- Gourmet Experience: Lunch and Wine Pairings
Unveiling the Ultimate Tailored Port Lodge Wine Tour Experience!
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Porto - Vila Nova de Gaia -Porto
Views from Grahams Vinum restaurant Port Wine Excursion
- None
- Lunch with wine
- Privately Chauffeured Mercedes
9:00 am: Your elegant and charming driver in a luxurious Mercedes will pick you up from your Porto hotel or cruise. Then, drive into Vila Nova de Gaia, crossing the impressive Ponte do Dom Luis I bridge to your first port wine lodge of the day- the renowned Taylor’s Port Lodge. Dating back to 1692, Taylor’s is one of the oldest port lodges. Their production is dedicated exclusively to 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. Taste the crisp, refreshing Chip Dry, Vintage Quinta de Vargellas, and several superbly elegant top-end Late Bottled Vintage ports.
Next to the pretty Graham’s lodge, part of the Symington family’s wine empire. The cellar here is one of the largest in Vila Nova and houses over 3,500 wine “pipes,” along with countless oak vats. Tour the lodge with a private guide and conclude your morning of port wine tasting with an “Exclusive Vintage Tasting.” Try unique wines like the Dow vintage, Quinta do Vesuvio vintage, and a 40-year-old Tawny!
1:00–1:30 pm: By now, you will be ready for lunch, and you can look forward to the superb Vinum restaurant at Graham’s. Here, you will embark on a gastronomic journey that traverses the northern regions of Douro, Trás-os-Montes, the Minho, and the Atlantic—right from the comfort of your table. Your personalized tasting menu will spotlight culinary masterpieces, including the aromatic smoked Alheira sausages from Mirandela, fish freshly caught and sourced from the esteemed Matosinhos Market, and the exquisite and rare Vaca Velha beef from Trás-os-Montes. The restaurant sommelier will ensure your dishes are paired perfectly with the finest Portuguese wines.
3:30 pm: 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 St. Bento Train station in downtown Porto, where you will meet your friendly, expert local guide. Discover the secret and hidden places that only a local knows. The “Oporto Heart,” the historical area, was classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. You will take in the main city icons: Aliados Avenue, S. Bento train station, street Art, Majestic café, Bolhão market, traditional stores, Clérigos church, Lello bookshop, Flowers Street, and Ribeira. Return to your hotel in Porto in the early evening after this unforgettable gourmet wine tour.
We look forward to seeing you again!
Past Clients Testimonals
Louise, London
The organisation of the tour was very good.
The three lodges visited were all different and had 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 Grahams who 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 to why the town has grown 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 were there on our own.
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More information
If you would like us to customize an exclusive luxury tour, contact us and let us know your travel plans. We offer luxury food and wine tours for private groups of a mininium two guests. In addition, all of our private, chauffeured tours are available year-round upon request.
