Celebrate Autumn with new wine tourism proposals at Quinta do Bomfim

Quinta do Bomfim, in Pinhão, presents more and more proposals so that visitors can not only enjoy the Douro landscape, but also get to know more about the terroir of the Douro and about Port wine. Between tours through the vineyards, wine tastings and the new restaurant Bomfim 1896 with Pedro Lemos, there is much to discover in this property with more than a century of history.

Located next to Pinhão train station (five minutes on foot) and about 1h30 by car from the city of Porto, Quinta do Bomfim suggests that the itinerary starts with a guided tour of the museum, cellar and old warehouse – a space that was completed in 1896 and was designed with a complex system of wooden trusses, where the Port wines produced on the farm are still stored before being transferred to the Gaia Cellars. The visit will also introduce, in addition to details of the Douro terroir and the history of the Symingtons, the Bomfim mill, which is equipped with modern mills designed by the family at the beginning of the 20th century, which represent the most advanced technology of port wine vinification.

After the visit, not only Port wine tastings are available to the visitor – as is the case of the Classic Tasting (17 euros), which includes wines such as Cockburn’s Special Reserve, Graham’s LBV and Dow’s 10 years Tawny – but also also of DOC Douro wines from the family, where the Altano Branco, Quinta do Ataíde and Quinta do Vesúvio wines can be tasted (22 euros). For family visits, there are activities designed for the little ones, including hobbies and offering grape juice.

To comfort your stomach, the suggestion is to have a picnic on the terrace of the Wine Tourism Center, enjoying the view of the Douro River. The picnic menu, which is signed by Chef Pedro Lemos, features delicacies such as cold beef heart tomato soup, marinated horse mackerel, chicken pie or lavender cheesecakes. The snacks are delivered in a typical picnic basket and are accompanied by a bottle of Altano Branco (for every two people) and a glass of Porto Dow’s 10 years or LBV. The picnic is available for 35 euros per person (must be booked 24 hours in advance).

Discovering “the secrets of Douro wines” can continue with a tour of the vineyards. With three routes available (depending on the degree of difficulty), varying between 15 and 90 minutes, the three existing pedestrian trails allow you to learn more about the soil, climate and orography of the Douro, as well as discover the “Symington Variety Collection” – a research project aimed at safeguarding the genetic diversity of Douro grape varieties, as well as studying their viticultural and oenological potential. The value of the experience is five euros, and each visitor is entitled to a map, a canteen of water and a straw hat.

After a sunset on the terrace, tasting a Porto Tonic with roasted almonds, the suggestion for dinner is at the table of Symington’s latest gastronomic project: Bomfim 1896 with Pedro Lemos. Inserted in an old wine warehouse, completely renovated, the space is an ode to classic cuisine and haute cuisine, inspired by the family kitchens of the Douro, with large chimneys and wood-fired cooking. The menu, which has “fire” as a transversal element to all dishes, is complemented with wines from the Symington Family Estates portfolio, as well as from family-friendly producers (national and international).

Sea fish, the highest quality seafood, and meat from national (and local) producers are just some of the ingredients that will be featured at Bomfim 1896 with Pedro Lemos. In the menu of the new restaurant you will find suggestions such as oysters, grapes and champagne; braised fish of the day, bivalves, squid in stew; duck, belly, lentils and mushrooms; or mille-feuille, smoked cream and salted caramel. The space is open from Wednesday to Sunday, from 12:00 to 23:00. Reservations can be made through the Bomfim1896.pt website.

The remaining experiences at Quinta do Bomfim can be scheduled by telephone (351 254 730 370), e-mail (quintadobomfim@symington.com) or website www.symington.com, with pre-booking mandatory.