Vila Galé celebrates two years of family tourism in the heart of the Alentejo

18/09/2025The Herdade Clube de Campo Vila Galé, on the outskirts of Beja, is marking two years since the opening of the Vila Galé Nep Kids and Vila Galé Collection Monte do Vilar units, reinforcing an innovative concept of integrated family tourism in the Alentejo.

With three distinct but complementary units, Herdade Clube de Campo Vila Galé is consolidating its position as a destination of excellence in family and nature tourism. Vila Galé Alentejo Vineyards & Olive stands out for its connection to wine tourism, with experiences such as wine and olive oil tastings, wine dinners, gastronomic workshops and outdoor activities such as mountain biking, jeep safaris and carriage rides.
Vila Galé Nep Kids, dedicated exclusively to families with children, is the group’s first hotel with entry restricted to adults accompanied by minors. With 80 family rooms, it offers a full range of children’s activities including a water park, trampolines, carousel, cinema, children’s spa and specialised daily entertainment.
The now repositioned Vila Galé Collection Monte do Vilar combines sophistication and tranquillity in a reserved but family-friendly environment. Guests have free access to Nep Kids and the unit is equipped to host social and business events, with dedicated rooms and outdoor spaces prepared for celebrations.

Villa Alvor launches new wines

15/09/2025Villa Alvor has just presented its new Reserva range to the market, comprising a white wine and a rosé, in a bid to reinforce the brand's position as one of the references in the Algarve wine region.

Inspired by the region’s rich history, the Villa Alvor Reserva range aims to reflect, according to the brand, ‘the complexity, richness and history of the Algarve in every bottle’. With a visual identity reminiscent of Roman labyrinths, these new wines aim to provide the consumer with a sensory experience where each sip reveals different layers and nuances.
‘Like a labyrinth, each wine is a unique discovery, where layers intertwine and unravel at every moment,’ says Filipa Albergaria, Villa Alvor’s brand manager. This new range, aimed above all at the off-trade channel, expands the brand’s portfolio, maintaining its focus on wines with a gastronomic profile, in a region that is increasingly valued on the national wine scene.
Villa Alvor Reserva white 2024 is the result of a blend of Verdelho (85%) and Sauvignon Blanc (15%), with a pale lime green colour. The wine stands out for its floral and subtle tropical fruit aromas, combined with slight notes of toast. On the palate, it reveals freshness, elegance and persistence, and is recommended for pairing with grilled fish, seafood and salads with salmon or burrata.

Villa Alvor Reserva rosé 2024, 100 per cent Grenache, impresses with its delicate aroma, marked by fresh strawberry and raspberry fruit, citrus nuances and a floral touch. Part of the blend is aged in barrels with bâtonnage, which gives it unctuousness and depth. Light pink in colour, clear and bright, it has a balanced acidity and an intense, enveloping finish, ideal with seafood, stews or pasta with prawns.

From vineyard to table: Alentejo harvests invite you to experience wine

12/09/2025The Alentejo continues to buzz with activity related to the harvest. There are many options for going with family, friends or even alone.

Among the most comprehensive options is Herdade da Malhadinha Nova, in Beja, which invites visitors to immerse themselves in a two-day ‘Harvest Experience’. The programme includes a vintage jeep tour of the estate, wine tasting, a picnic, treading grapes in the wine presses, quad bike rides and all meals, with a highlight being a themed dinner at the Organic & Inspired Cuisine restaurant.
In Estremoz, Vila Santa focuses on authenticity with a programme that recreates the spirit of traditional grape harvests: manual harvesting, a break for the typical Alentejo ‘bucha’ (a traditional snack), treading in marble wine presses and a guided tour of the winery and cellars, ending with a typical lunch paired with house wines.
At Quinta do Quetzal, in Vidigueira, participants can follow the manual harvest and the entire winemaking process, in an experience that culminates in a picnic prepared by chef João Mourato, served among the vineyards, or with lunch at the producer’s restaurant.

In Arraiolos, Tapada de Coelheiros offers a sensory experience surrounded by nature. The programme includes a tour of the estate, tasting of fermenting must and wine tasting paired with regional products, in a setting of pure authenticity.
Meanwhile, the Torre de Palma Wine Hotel in Monforte draws inspiration from Roman traditions to recreate the ancestral ritual of wine. Visitors can harvest grapes, select bunches, visit the winery and take part in the treading of grapes in Estremoz marble presses, available in September. The experience ends with a lunch paired with the producer’s wines, reinforcing the link between history and modernity.
These initiatives make the Alentejo grape harvest an invitation to experience wine to the full, from the vineyard to the table, in contact with the culture and hospitality that characterise the region.

Quanta Terra and Vhils launch special edition wine with artistic intervention

11/09/2025To celebrate 25 years of existence, Quanta Terra is presenting an unprecedented collaborative edition with the artist Alexandre Farto, known as Vhils. "Íris" is an exclusive red wine with only 250 5-litre bottles, each transformed into a unique work of art.

Douro producer Quanta Terra is marking its 25th anniversary with the launch of a special edition that combines art and oenology. In collaboration with urban artist Alexandre Farto, aka Vhils, Quanta Terra Íris is born, a limited edition of just 250 five-litre bottles, each one handcrafted by the artist and individually signed. The wine, a 2019 red, will be available from October, with a selling price of 1,695 euros per unit. Pre-orders can now be made at vhils.quantaterradouro.com.
More than a consumer object, each bottle is a liquid sculpture, reflecting the concept of identity and uniqueness inspired by the human iris. According to Vhils, glass is “a symbolic and paradoxical material, fragile and resistant”, and his work on the container aims to reveal the essence of the territory, of matter and of the visible and invisible.

Inside, the wine created by the winemakers and founders of Quanta Terra, Celso Pereira and Jorge Alves, is described as deep, elegant and with great personality. It shows layers of black fruit, spices and a marked schist minerality, with a velvety texture and firm tannins. For the winemakers, this edition represents ‘an invitation to contemplation’, being a pure expression of the Douro that should be felt and appreciated over time.
With this initiative, Quanta Terra is also reinforcing its role as a cultural agent in the countryside. The brand’s headquarters, housed in the former Casa do Douro distillery, has established itself as a space for artistic enjoyment, honoured twice with the Best Of Wine Tourism – Art and Culture award, promoting exhibitions, events and other cultural events with free access.
Quanta Terra Íris thus reflects the essence of the brand: a tribute to time, identity and the Douro as a creative territory. A rare fusion between visual art and wine that unites two creative worlds through a common language, that of authentic expression.

Arinto Wine Sunset & Harvest begins grape harvest at Quinta do Boicão

10/09/2025On 20 September, Quinta do Boicão will be transformed into a stage for wine experiences, with activities ranging from manual grape harvesting to Arinto wine tasting, accompanied by music at sunset.

From 4 pm to 9 pm, visitors will be able to participate in the manual harvest, traditional grape treading and learn about the stages of winemaking, while enjoying the tasting of musts and wines from the Arinto grape variety.
The programme also includes live seafood paella, handmade sweets, music at sunset with DJ Vlad Fisun and, optionally, Japanese oysters. Tickets cost €60 for adults, €30 for children between 7 and 18 years old, and admission is free for children up to 6 years old.
The event promises a relaxed afternoon, full of aromas, flavours, and wine experiences for the whole family. Reservations can be made at blueticket.meo.pt or by contacting the organisation directly.

Alentejo welcomes summer with wine harvests open to the public

09/09/2025Alentejo is preparing to welcome all wine lovers this summer with wine tourism programmes that promise to combine tradition, culture and gastronomy. Between August and October, several wineries in the region will open their doors for immersive experiences ranging from manual harvesting to foot treading, wine tastings and regional lunches.

In Reguengos de Monsaraz, Adega José de Sousa offers a visit to the iconic Adega dos Potes, where wine ferments in clay jars, and to Adega Nova. The experience culminates with a tasting of three wines accompanied by local snacks, and can also include lunch.
In Évora, Casa Relvas offers the chance to follow all stages of the harvest, from a tour of the vineyards to tasting musts, wines and olive oils, with the option of a regional lunch.
At Casa das Talhas, in Vidigueira, visitors are invited to experience the harvest up close, participating in the harvest, learning about the winemaking process and ending with a typical lunch and a personalised bottle of wine.
In Beja, Casa de Santa Vitória offers a complete programme that includes a tour of the vineyards, a visit to the winery and the barrel cellar, followed by wine tasting with regional snacks and lunch at the Alentejo Vineyards restaurant.

Also in the Évora region, Cartuxa offers a programme with fixed times that combines manual grape picking, traditional treading and a tasting of six wines and two olive oils, with the option of a paired meal.
Fita Preta, meanwhile, focuses on harvest experiences that combine fun and learning. Visitors can participate in everything from grape selection to must and wine tasting, experiencing the essence of the harvest up close.

Quinta do Encontro launches new wine tourism experiences in Bairrada

08/09/2025Located in the heart of Bairrada, Quinta do Encontro presents a renewed set of wine tourism experiences, combining wine, gastronomy and nature in an architectural setting of excellence.

An undeniable icon of Bairrada, Quinta do Encontro is reinforcing its commitment to wine tourism in 2025 with new proposals that promise to delight tourists and oenophiles alike. With an imposing winery designed by architect Pedro Mateus and surrounded by rolling vineyards, Quinta do Encontro now offers a diverse range of experiences that combine wine, landscape and gastronomy.
Among the novelties, visitors can opt for guided tours with wine tasting, lasting an hour and a half and priced between 8.50 and 35 euros, depending on the wines being tasted. For those looking for a more complete experience, packages combining a guided tour and lunch are available, with prices ranging from 35 to 65 euros per person, signed by resident chef Óscar Gomes. Nature lovers, meanwhile, can enjoy a picnic in the farm’s outdoor spaces, lasting two and a half hours, for 45 euros per person (minimum of two people).
Bookings must be made in advance by e-mail (enoturismo.encontro@1990.pt) or by telephone (231 527 155). It should be noted that visits are free for children under 17. Quinta do Encontro is also recognised for the excellence of its sparkling and still wines, created under the direction of winemaker Paulo Prior. Each bottle reflects the region’s know-how, combining tradition and innovation.
The quinta’s restaurant, with a privileged view over the vineyards and the Caramulo and Buçaco mountains, offers a menu that values local flavours and pays homage to the land and the sea, in a fusion designed by chef Óscar Gomes. More than a meal, each dish tells a story, elevating regional gastronomy to a true cultural expression.
In addition to wine tourism, Quinta do Encontro also offers personalised solutions for the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) sector, with versatile spaces prepared to host corporate events, team building activities, weddings, baptisms and exhibitions.
With a complete and distinctive offer, Quinta do Encontro has established itself as an essential reference point for wine tourism in Bairrada, ready to welcome those looking for authenticity, beauty and memorable experiences.

Be a winemaker for a day with Vila Galé

05/09/2025Vila Galé invites wine lovers to experience the magic of the grape harvest in three wine regions of excellence: Alentejo, Douro and Minho.

From August to October, participants can experience the daily life of a winemaker, from grape picking to wine tasting, accompanied by specialised technicians.
In Alentejo, the Hotel Vila Galé Alentejo Vineyards in Beja offers visits to the winery, Santa Vitória wine tasting and regional snacks. In Douro, among UNESCO-listed terraces, the experience includes Val Moreira wines and a harvest kit. In Minho, the Hotel Vila Galé Collection Ponte de Lima Vineyards offers Paço do Curutelo wine tasting and pairings with local flavours. Each programme includes a bottle of wine to take home and costs €40 per person, with a 50% discount for children between 4 and 12 years old.
The initiative allows you to discover, in a practical and sensory way, the Portuguese wine tradition, celebrating the wine culture from north to south of the country.

Casa de Santar presents three new vintages

04/09/2025Casa de Santar, one of the most emblematic brands in the Dão, has launched three new white wines, Reserva Branco 2023, Branco de Curtimenta 2023 and Outono de Santar Colheita Tardia 2022, reinforcing its presence on hot days with elegant, complex proposals that are perfect for the flavours of the season.

Summer takes on new protagonists in the glass with the latest Casa de Santar vintages. The brand, with over two centuries of history and recognised as an icon of the Dão region, has just launched three new products that promise to surprise lovers of white and dessert wines. Signed by winemaker Paulo Prior, the new Casa de Santar Reserva Branco 2023, Branco de Curtimenta 2023 and Outono de Santar Colheita Tardia 2022 are already available on the market.
The Casa de Santar Reserva Branco 2023, with a recommended retail price of 15.99 euros, joins the Reserva Tinto 2020 and is produced from the Encruzado, Arinto and Malvasia Fina grape varieties. Half of the blend fermented and aged for six months in French oak barrels with soft toast. With a citrus colour and greenish tones, it reveals a fresh and complex aroma with notes of citrus fruit and exotic fruits. On the palate, it stands out for its freshness, fruit and elegance, making it ideal as an aperitif or to accompany light fish dishes and grilled meats.

More daring, Casa de Santar Branco de Curtimenta 2023 (PVP 20 euros) combines 60% Encruzado and 40% Arinto in an elegant and intense profile. Golden in colour with greenish reflections, it has an expressive aroma of ripe yellow fruit and stone fruit, with great aromatic complexity. On the palate, it is fresh, fruity and persistent, making it the ideal companion for richer fish and meat dishes, as well as mature cheeses and charcuterie. It should be served between 8 and 9ºC.
Completing the trio, the eagerly awaited Outono de Santar Colheita Tardia 2022 arrives with a RRP of 36.00 euros and brings with it the sweetness and sophistication of botrytised wines. Open straw in colour and clear in appearance, it releases aromas of dried apricot, butter and citrus flowers. Unctuous, fresh and balanced, its finish is long and striking. It is suitable for leisure time and harmonises with delicate desserts or various hors d’oeuvres, and is best enjoyed at 12ºC.
For those who prefer bubbles, the brand suggests Casa de Santar Vinha dos Amores Espumante Encruzado 2017, recently launched and already a favourite among national sparkling wine enthusiasts.

With 103 hectares of vineyards and a heritage dating back more than 200 years, Casa de Santar continues to honour the Dão wine legacy, producing exceptional wines from noble grape varieties and plots of excellence such as Vinha dos Amores – the birthplace of some of the region’s most distinctive and award-winning wines. With these new vintages, the brand reinforces its commitment to quality and authenticity, toasting the warm days with proposals that combine tradition, innovation and freshness.

Manzwine organises Opportunities Fair

03/09/2025The Manzwine winery in Cheleiros, in the municipality of Mafra, will host the Opportunities Fair on Saturday, 6 September, an event that promises to attract wine lovers and curious visitors with premium wines at unique prices.

The initiative will take place between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., offering bottles starting at just two euros. The wines available have minor aesthetic imperfections, such as stained labels, misaligned capsules or folded labels, details that prevent them from being sold on the traditional market, but which in no way compromise the quality of the contents. Manzwine’s philosophy emphasises precisely this distinction between packaging and essence, giving new life to older vintages and award-winning wines that would otherwise not reach the consumer.
The fair is part of a special weekend at the winery, which kicks off on Friday, 5 September, with a tribute concert to Supertramp and The Police by the Orquestra Nova de Guitarras. The show will take place in the Manzwine garden at 9 pm and includes early access to the fair from 7 pm. Tickets cost €20 and include three complimentary glasses of wine.
More information is available at manzwine.com.