Quinta da Alorna chooses Beelt to build its new wine tourism and events room

26/11/2025The project includes historic restoration and expansion to create a space dedicated to wine culture and visitor experiences

Quinta da Alorna, an iconic wine estate in the Tejo region, has selected Beelt – Engenharia e Construção to lead the renovation and expansion of its future wine tourism and corporate events room, located in Almeirim, which is scheduled to open in 2026. The architectural design is by Atelier Miguel Lopo de Carvalho Arquitetos and covers a total area of 564 m², with an estimated completion time of 12 months.
According to Tomás Caiado, Commercial Director of Quinta da Alorna, the construction of the José Santos Room aims to enhance the estate’s three-century-old heritage and bring consumers and partners closer to the history and wine culture of the space. The room, which pays tribute to José Santos, the estate’s longest-serving employee, combines the renovation of old buildings, such as the winery and the dovecote, with the creation of an adjacent building for logistical support and events.

For Filipe Soares, Production Director at Beelt, the project is an opportunity to integrate engineering and tradition, through the rehabilitation of the existing structure, the creation of adjacent areas with a metal structure, and the application of contemporary solutions in concrete, stone, and cork. The space will also feature a Wine Library, dedicated to the estate’s portfolio and its 300 years of history, and areas for corporate and institutional events, connected to the barrel room.
The finishes will favor noble materials such as lioz stone, polished concrete, and black cork, respecting the original architectural language and ensuring the harmonious integration between past and future. The works are expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2026, when the José Santos Room will open to the public, offering an immersive experience in the history and tradition of Quinta da Alorna.

AdegaMãe launches campaign to highlight Dory as a benchmark Atlantic wine

25/11/2025AdegaMãe presents its biggest communication campaign to date for Dory, an iconic wine from the Lisbon Region, under the slogan “Never has the Atlantic (wine) tasted so good”, reinforcing the connection between the sea and vineyards and the brand's unique identity.

AdegaMãe has launched a major campaign to promote Dory, one of its flagship wines and an icon of the Lisbon Region. Under the slogan “Never has the Atlantic (wine) tasted so good”, the initiative highlights the wine’s oceanic inspiration and invites consumers and connoisseurs to explore its rich flavours.

Voted “Brand of the Year” by Revista de Vinhos magazine in 2025, Dory is characterised by its freshness, marked minerality and generous fruit, reflecting the character of the territory and the influence of the Atlantic on AdegaMãe’s vineyards.

‘With this campaign, we reaffirm our commitment to creating wines with soul and identity, capable of putting Lisbon on the map of great terroirs. Dory has become our image and a true calling card for the region,’ said Bernardo Alves, General Manager of AdegaMãe.

Developed by Cooprativa.pt, the campaign explores the unique landscape of Torres Vedras, including its proximity to the ocean, clay-limestone soils and hillside vineyards, translating these characteristics into video, digital, OOH, press and point of sale. ‘A wine so unique that we hope that, in the future, when you ask for an “Atlântico”, you will be served an AdegaMãe in the same way that you ask for a Port or Madeira,’ said André Sousa Moreira, Creative Director at Cooprativa.pt.

The campaign runs until the end of September and positions Dory as the ultimate expression of “Atlantic wine”: fresh, mineral, vibrant and emotional, celebrating the geography, history and flavour of the Atlantic in a bottle.

Quinta de Lemos celebrates 20 years with an Open Day featuring guided tours and free tastings

21/11/2025The leading producer in the Dão region is celebrating two decades of excellence with an Open Day on 22 November, offering tours of the winery, free wine tastings and Christmas-themed experiences.

Quinta de Lemos, renowned for producing elegant wines of great character in the heart of the Dão region, is opening the doors of its winery for a special Open Day on 22 November, as part of the celebrations for the 20th anniversary of its first harvest. The event, which is free to attend, invites wine lovers and visitors to immerse themselves in the world of the estate, with guided tours and free tastings, sharing the history, values and passion that define this wine project in Viseu.

Visits to the winery, accompanied by the technical team, will take place in two sessions — 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. — upon prior registration. In addition to discovering the behind-the-scenes of production, the Open Day will bring the Christmas spirit forward with typical seasonal flavours, as well as special discounts on Christmas Packs and Dona Georgina wines, one of the estate’s most emblematic references.

Located in Silgueiros, Quinta de Lemos stands out for its commitment to the native grape varieties of the Dão region — Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Jaen and Alfrocheiro — grown in a terroir characterised by granite soils and high altitude. Only about 30% of the grapes are selected in each harvest, ensuring high-quality wines that express the essence of the region and their great ageing potential.

The Open Day is also an opportunity to visit the Mesa de Lemos restaurant, part of the estate and awarded 1 MICHELIN Star, a Green Star and 2 Repsol Suns. Led by chef Diogo Rocha, the restaurant celebrates Portuguese cuisine through contemporary interpretations that showcase national products, paired with Quinta de Lemos wines and olive oil.

More than just a visit, the event offers an immersion in the authenticity of the Dão region, among vineyards, aromas and conversations, celebrating two decades of dedication to the land, gastronomy and the art of producing wines of excellence.

Three APENO members among Forbes’ 50 Best Wineries in the World

21/11/2025Torre de Palma, Aveleda and Herdade do Sobroso, members of the Portuguese Wine Tourism Association (APENO), were recognised by Forbes as three of the World’s 50 Best Wineries 2025, reinforcing the international prestige of the Portuguese wine sector and its leadership in sustainability, authenticity and wine tourism excellence.

Portugal is once again in the spotlight on the international wine and wine tourism scene with the inclusion of Torre de Palma, Aveleda and Herdade do Sobroso in the prestigious list of the “World’s 50 Best Wineries 2025”, published by Forbes. The selection, conducted by experts from Virgin Wines, evaluated producers from around the world according to rigorous criteria such as heritage and longevity, innovation in viticulture, sustainability certifications, social responsibility, mentoring of new winemakers and transparency.
Torre de Palma, in the Alto Alentejo, celebrates its recognition as one of the 50 best wineries in the world, reinforcing its legacy of authenticity, quality and deep connection to the territory. Combining history, Alentejo tradition, unique architecture and wines that reflect the identity of the terroir, Torre de Palma affirms that this distinction ‘reinforces its passion for wine and the Alentejo’, inviting visitors to rediscover the magic of the now internationally renowned project.

Portugal is once again in the spotlight on the international wine and wine tourism scene with the inclusion of Torre de Palma, Aveleda and Herdade do Sobroso in the prestigious list of the “World’s 50 Best Wineries 2025”, published by Forbes. The selection, conducted by Aveleda, in turn, achieved a remarkable 6th place worldwide, standing out as one of the global benchmarks in sustainable production and wine tourism experiences. The ranking highlights Aveleda’s exemplary track record, which in 2024 obtained B-Corp certification and the National Reference for Sustainability Certification in the Wine Sector. Forbes also highlights the natural heritage of Quinta da Aveleda, with eight hectares of private gardens, 317 species of flora and fauna and a 300-year-old eucalyptus tree, in addition to wine tourism experiences in the Douro and Algarve. ‘Being Aveleda is being part of a family, a history and a dream,’ says Martim Guedes, Co-CEO.
Also distinguished among the best in the world, Herdade do Sobroso, in the Vidigueira DOC, has reinforced its position as a benchmark for authenticity and sustainability in the Alentejo. Founded in 2000 by architect António Ginestal Machado, Herdade do Sobroso has combined tradition, innovation and environmental preservation. Forbes recognises the success of this philosophy, which is geared towards the genuine expression of the territory. ‘It is a distinction that fills us with pride and values the work carried out in sustainability, biodiversity and authenticity in the Alentejo,’ highlight Sofia Ginestal Machado, CEO, and Filipe Teixeira Pinto, winemaker.

The simultaneous presence of three Portuguese wineries on the World’s 50 Best Wineries 2025 list highlights the vitality, commitment to excellence and growing global recognition of Portuguese wine. An achievement that honours the past, celebrates the present and projects the future of the national wine sector.

Lisbon Urban Wine Tourism

20/11/2025Lisbon hosts the first major festival dedicated to Urban Wine Tourism 13 December | Beato Innovation District – Fábrica do Pão | 5pm–midnight

On 13 December, the Lisbon Regional Tourism Authority (ERT-Lisboa) will organise and host the first major festival dedicated to urban wine tourism, an unprecedented event in the capital that aims to highlight the growing importance of wine and wine tourism in the city. The initiative is conceived and produced by the Portuguese Wine Tourism Association (APENO), with the support of Lisbon City Council and the Wine Commissions of Lisbon and the Setúbal Peninsula, with Paixão pelo Vinho magazine as its media partner. Tickets are now on sale at https://ticketline.sapo.pt/en/evento/lisbon-urban-wine-tourism-enoturismo-urbano-99338

The event will take place at the former Fábrica do Pão, in the Beato Innovation District, between 5 pm and midnight, and will feature wine tastings and wine tourism promotion, interactive experiences, games and competitions that will allow wine tourists to win gifts and various prizes related to the sector. The party will also feature a special musical moment: radio presenter and show promoter Fernando Alvim will be the guest DJ, entertaining guests between 9 pm and midnight.

In addition to the main festival, several parallel activities are also planned, including an Open Day at the Instituto Superior de Agronomia (ISA), which will open its doors to the public for visits to its historic vineyards, located almost in the heart of Lisbon, allowing participants to discover a unique agricultural heritage in the European urban context. The scheduled times for these visits are from 11 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., from 2 p.m. to 3.30 p.m., and from 4 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., at a cost of €30 per person. To participate in this activity, prior registration is required through the APENO website (limited registration, subject to confirmation).

Between 6pm and 9pm, the Beato Innovation District, at the same venue as the event, will host Wine Tourism and Wine Talks, with renowned journalists interviewing leading figures from the sector (to be announced shortly). Current topics will be discussed, such as the growth of the concept of urban wine tourism, which is increasingly valued today as an innovative way of bringing wine closer to cities and their visitors.

In this context, the president of ERT-Lisboa, Carla Salsinha, highlights the strategic importance of this event for the region: “Lisbon is now an international benchmark and urban wine tourism represents an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the city, its visitors and our wine regions. This event reinforces this connection, showing that Lisbon has unique conditions to offer high-quality wine experiences in an urban, but also rural, context.”

The president of APENO – Portuguese Wine Tourism Association, Maria João de Almeida, reinforces the growing role of this trend on the national scene: “Urban Wine Tourism is booming and Lisbon is at the forefront. This first major festival demonstrates the vitality of the sector and its ability to create original, engaging experiences that are accessible to new audiences. It is an important milestone for the Lisbon Regional Authority, but also for APENO and all the partners involved.”

Tickets for Lisbon Urban Wine Tourism are on sale at Ticketline, in all Fnac and Worten stores, as well as at other usual points of sale nationwide. Advance purchase offers special conditions: €12 (single ticket) and €20 (double ticket). On the day of the event, tickets will cost €20 per person. Each ticket also includes an official glass for use in wine tastings throughout the event.

The event is open to the public, inviting Lisbon residents, visitors and industry professionals to celebrate wine and discover new ways to experience it in the city.

Lisbon hosts the first major festival dedicated to Urban Wine Tourism

20/11/202513 December | Beato Creative Hub – Fábrica do Pão | 5 pm–midnight

On 13 December, the Lisbon Regional Tourism Authority (ERT-Lisboa) is organising and presenting the first major festival dedicated to urban wine tourism, an unprecedented event in the capital that aims to highlight the growing importance of wine and wine tourism in the urban context. The initiative is designed and produced by the Portuguese Wine Tourism Association (APENO), with the support of Lisbon City Council and the Lisbon and Setúbal Peninsula Wine Commissions, with Paixão pelo Vinho magazine as its media partner. Tickets are now on sale at Ticketline.

The event will take place at the former Fábrica do Pão, in the Beato Creative Hub, between 5 pm and midnight, and will feature wine tastings and wine tourism promotion, interactive experiences, games and competitions that will allow wine tourists to win gifts and various prizes related to the sector. The party will also feature a special musical moment: radio presenter and show promoter Fernando Alvim will be the guest DJ, entertaining guests between 9 pm and midnight.

In addition to the main festival, several parallel activities are also planned, including an Open Day at the Instituto Superior de Agronomia (ISA), which will open its doors to the public for visits to its historic vineyards, located almost in the heart of Lisbon, allowing participants to discover a unique agricultural heritage in the European urban context. The scheduled times for these visits are from 11 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., from 2 p.m. to 3.30 p.m., and from 4 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., at a cost of €30 per person. To participate in this activity, prior registration is required through the APENO website (limited registration, subject to confirmation).

Between 6pm and 9pm, the Beato Creative Hub, at the same location as the event, will also host Wine Tourism and Wine Talks, with renowned journalists interviewing prominent figures from the sector (to be announced shortly). Current topics will be discussed, such as the growth of the concept of urban wine tourism, which is increasingly valued today as an innovative way of bringing wine closer to cities and their visitors.

In this context, the president of ERT-Lisboa, Carla Salsinha, highlights the strategic importance of this event for the region: “Lisbon is now an international benchmark, and urban wine tourism represents an opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the city, its visitors and our wine regions. This event reinforces that connection, showing that Lisbon has unique conditions to offer high-quality wine experiences in both urban and rural contexts.”

The president of APENO – Portuguese Wine Tourism Association, Maria João de Almeida, reinforces the growing role of this trend on the national scene: “Urban wine tourism is booming and Lisbon is at the forefront. This first major festival demonstrates the vitality of the sector and its ability to create original, engaging experiences that are accessible to new audiences. It is an important milestone for the Lisbon Regional Authority, but also for APENO and all the partners involved.”

Tickets for Lisbon Urban Wine Tourism are on sale at Ticketline, in all Fnac and Worten stores, as well as at the usual points of sale nationwide. Advance purchase offers special conditions: €12 (single ticket) and €20 (double ticket). On the day of the event, tickets will cost €20 per person. Each ticket also includes an official glass for use in wine tastings throughout the event.

The event is open to the public, inviting Lisbon residents, visitors and industry professionals to celebrate wine and discover new ways to experience it in the city.

Quintas de Melgaço wins double gold at the Glass of Bubbly Awards 2025

20/11/2025Produtora dos Vinhos Verdes arrecada duas medalhas de ouro e uma de prata na prestigiada competição londrina, reafirmando a excelência dos seus espumantes de Alvarinho.

Quintas de Melgaço, a benchmark in the Vinho Verde region, has just won double gold at the international Glass of Bubbly Awards 2025 competition held in London. Among hundreds of sparkling wines from around the world, two of the company’s wines stood out for their exceptional quality: QM Velha Reserva 2020 – Gold Medal in the Gastronomic category and QM Espumante Super Reserva 2022 – Gold Medal in the Summer Days category. Added to this achievement is the silver medal awarded to QM Espumante Super Reserva Rosé 2022, distinguished in the Winter Warmer class, reinforcing the consistency and versatility of the Minho producer’s portfolio.
The tasting took place over two days and was a blind tasting, bringing together a diverse panel of industry professionals, sommeliers, sparkling wine experts and champagne connoisseurs, who evaluated hundreds of international references.

The award-winning wines from Quintas de Melgaço are based on the Alvarinho grape variety and are produced using the Classic Method. QM Velha Reserva 2020 aged for at least 36 months in the bottle, while QM Super Reserva 2022 aged for 24 months, ensuring complexity, creaminess and finesse.

On tasting, QM Velha Reserva is clear, with a yellowish colour and fine, persistent bubbles, revealing elegant nuances of dried fruit on the nose. QM Super Reserva combines a slightly floral aroma with notes of dried fruit, also marked by very delicate bubbles. Both stand out for their gastronomic versatility and can be served as an aperitif or accompanied by seafood, fish, poultry, goat, suckling pig and even fine pastries.
With this set of distinctions, Quintas de Melgaço reinforces its status as one of the great producers of Portuguese sparkling wines, demonstrating the Alvarinho grape variety’s ability to create elegant, complex and world-class sparkling wines.

 

Vidigueira hosts the 27th edition of Vitifrades with a celebration of Talha Wine

20/11/2025The 27th edition of Vitifrades will take place on 6 and 7 December in Vila de Frades, at Taberna dos Arcos, promoting Talha Wine and the region's traditional cuisine.

The parish of Vila de Frades, in the municipality of Vidigueira, will once again celebrate Talha Wine with the 27th edition of Vitifrades, on 6 and 7 December. The event aims to promote, dignify and enhance this product, which has been deeply rooted in local culture since 1998.
Taberna dos Arcos will be open as a restaurant from 11 a.m. to midnight, offering visitors a variety of traditional dishes and snacks à la carte. Participants will be able to sample the regional cuisine while discovering the richness and tradition of Talha wine, a symbol of Vidigueira’s wine identity.
Taberna dos Arcos is located at Rua Mestre Conceição Silva, 7960-456, Vila de Frades, and promises to be the meeting point for wine and local culture lovers, combining authentic flavours with a unique wine tourism experience.

APENO opens its first branch in Alentejo, in Évora

19/11/2025The Portuguese Wine Tourism Association (APENO) inaugurated its first regional office outside Lisbon this week in Évora, located in the Alentejo Regional Tourism Authority building. This new step marks the beginning of a national expansion that plans to open several branches across the country, strengthening the association's presence in the main wine-producing regions and consolidating its commitment to the development of Portuguese wine tourism.

The Alentejo Regional Delegation will be headed by Miguel de Mello Breyner, a leading professional in the Portuguese hotel industry. With a degree in Hotel Management and Techniques from the Porto School of Hospitality and Tourism, Mello Breyner was Regional Director of Pousadas do Sul, headed the Hotel da Cartuxa and was General Manager of the Évora Hotel for around 17 years, playing a decisive role in the region’s tourism development.

The inauguration of the new branch was attended by the president of ERT Alentejo, José Santos, the president of APENO, Maria João de Almeida, the vice-president, Luís Souto, and Ana Gaspar, the association’s events coordinator. In the institutional speech, the importance of bringing APENO closer to regional agents was highlighted, promoting more effective, collaborative action in line with the needs of the territory.

‘It is an honour to lead this first regional delegation of APENO. The Alentejo has extraordinary wine tourism potential and I want to contribute to the continued growth of this sector, with professionalism and strategic vision,’ said Miguel de Mello Breyner. Maria João de Almeida, President of APENO, highlighted that the opening of this delegation represents a natural step in the evolution of APENO. ‘We want to be closer to the regions and work side by side with those who make wine tourism happen every day.’

In turn, the president of ERT Alentejo, José Santos, emphasised: ‘The presence of APENO in Évora reinforces the role of Alentejo on the national wine tourism map. It is a clear sign of confidence in the work that has been developed in the region.’

With this opening, APENO intends to further boost wine tourism in the Alentejo, foster partnerships, support local projects and contribute to establishing the Alentejo as a destination of excellence. The association is now preparing to set up new branches in other regions of the country, continuing its strategy of national presence that aims to consolidate Portugal as an international benchmark in the wine tourism sector.

JNcQUOI Asia’s “Express Lunch” returns with new flavors

17/11/2025The quick and sophisticated lunch menu has been revamped with proposals from chef Mário Esteves and the irreverent signature of JNcQUOI

JNcQUOI Asia, located on Avenida da Liberdade, surprises food lovers once again with the return of “Express Lunch,” a menu designed for those who want an excellent lunch experience. The menu returns with new flavor combinations and the creativity characteristic of the kitchen led by chef Mário Esteves.
Among the starters, the crispy shrimp roll with plum sauce and the fish sunomono stand out, joining classics such as miso soup with tofu and wakame, the dim sum selection, and the spinach and tofu salad with sesame sauce. Among the main courses, the menu features two new creations: Yakitori chicken donburi and teriyaki salmon with cucumber sunomono, which enrich a selection that includes Thai char siu noodles with shrimp wontons, a selection of sushi and sashimi, and sweet and sour tofu.
Available Monday through Friday, from noon to 4:00 p.m., the “Express Lunch” costs €37 per person and includes a cover charge, a choice of starter and main course, a drink (soft drink, beer, or a glass of wine selected by the sommelier), and coffee.J

NcQUOI Asia, renowned for its fusion of Asian cuisine and sophisticated atmosphere, is open Sunday through Wednesday from noon to midnight and Thursday through Saturday until 2:00 a.m. Reservations can be made by phone (+351 21 051 30 00) or email (book@jncquoiasia.com).
With executive chef António Bóia leading the JNcQUOI group and chef Mário Esteves at the helm of the JNcQUOI Asia kitchen, the restaurant reaffirms its position as one of Lisbon’s most cosmopolitan gastronomic venues, combining tradition, technique, and innovation in a concept that transforms lunch into a memorable experience.