José Maria da Fonseca Celebrates Mother’s Day Across Its Wine Tourism Estates

José Maria da Fonseca is marking Mother’s Day on 3 May with a series of wine tourism experiences designed for family sharing, with events at the Casa-Museu in Azeitão and at Adega José de Sousa in Reguengos de Monsaraz.

With sessions at 11:00 and 15:00, the programmes combine heritage, wine and traditional gastronomy, offering singular moments in a welcoming setting conceived for visitors of all generations.

At Casa-Museu José Maria da Fonseca in Azeitão, the experience opens with a guided tour of the estate’s historic spaces, including the gardens and the Adega dos Teares Novos, where some of the brand’s most iconic wines are aged. The visit concludes with a tasting of four premium wines, accompanied by traditional regional sweets such as tortas and esses. Younger visitors are catered for with an adapted tasting featuring grape juice and traditional confectionery, ensuring an inclusive experience for the whole family.

At Adega José de Sousa, in the heart of the Alentejo, the programme reveals one of the region’s most traditional wineries, where ancestral methods — including the iconic clay talhas — sit alongside modern winemaking techniques. The visit includes a tasting of Montado Branco, Dona Julieta Branco, Dona Julieta Tinto, and José de Sousa, also paired with regional sweets, along with a dedicated experience for children.

To mark the occasion, all mothers will receive a special gift. In Azeitão, this comprises a bottle of José Pires Rosé, whilst in Reguengos de Monsaraz the gift is a bottle of Montado Rosé — both accompanied by a flower and a commemorative bag.

With this initiative, José Maria da Fonseca reaffirms its commitment to wine tourism, promoting experiences that weave together tradition, wine and hospitality, and inviting families to celebrate Mother’s Day in an original and memorable way.

Adega Vidigueira Marks Mother’s Day with a Special Gift Pack

Adega Vidigueira has put together a special suggestion for Mother’s Day, centred on a gift that combines tradition, authenticity and the flavours of the Alentejo. The exclusive pack has been designed to create a moment of sharing at the table while championing regional produce.

The proposal includes a carefully curated selection comprising VDG sparkling wine, orange preserve, honey in a traditional clay pot, and Casa das Talhas olive oil, presented in an elegant hamper that underscores the gift’s special character.

More than a material present, the initiative aims to highlight the importance of time spent with family, through a sensory experience that brings together wine and food. The choice of products reflects the identity of the region, prioritising traditional flavours and quality.

Available for a limited time, the pack offers an alternative for those looking to give something a little different this Mother’s Day, pairing the occasion’s symbolism with the richness of Alentejo produce.

JNcQUOI Table awarded the ‘Opening of the Year’ award at the Michelin Gala

JNcQUOI Table, a restaurant within the JNcQUOI universe located in JNcQUOI House on Avenida da Liberdade in Lisbon, was awarded the ‘Opening of the Year’ prize during the MICHELIN Guide Portugal 2026 Gala, held in Funchal. The distinction recognizes the gastronomic excellence and uniqueness of the experience offered by the space, making it the first restaurant in the history of the Michelin Iberian Guide to receive this award.

Opened in January of this year, JNcQUOI Table establishes itself as one of the most exclusive concepts in national restaurants. The restaurant has only ten seats, providing an intimate and personalized high-end gastronomic experience, led by chef Filipe Carvalho.

According to the chef, this distinction comes as recognition of the work developed since the opening. “Receiving the ‘Opening of the Year’ Award at the Michelin Gala is a profoundly significant moment for the entire team and fills us with pride. This recognition, so soon after opening, reflects the daily work, dedication, and passion with which we think about every detail of the JNcQUOI Table experience,” says Filipe Carvalho.

Conceived as an underground gastronomic haven, the restaurant reveals itself through a discreet door that leads guests to a space inspired by the ocean universe. The experience revolves around a seasonal tasting menu, where technique, product, and emotion combine in a contemporary interpretation of Portuguese gastronomy with a strong connection to the Atlantic.

The gastronomic experience is tailored to each guest and built as a sensory journey that seeks to explore the past, present, and future of Portuguese cuisine. The space was designed by Belgian architect Vincent Van Duysen, whose approach reinforces the connection between gastronomy, architecture, and art. A central counter brings the chef closer to the guests, eliminating the traditional separation between kitchen and dining room. The ambiance is marked by green and black tones, worked woods, and artistic pieces by various Portuguese and international artists, such as Bela Silva, Anna Westerlund, Anabela Camelo, and Studio Neves.

With this distinction from the Michelin Guide, JNcQUOI Table reinforces its position as one of Lisbon’s new benchmark venues for haute cuisine, standing out for the exclusivity of its experience, the technical precision of its cuisine, and its attention to detail.

Quinta do Bomfim Marks Mother’s Day with a Vineyard Picnic

Quinta do Bomfim, in Pinhão, is marking Mother’s Day with an open-air experience that brings together nature, food and wine. The initiative, entitled Merenda na Vinha, invites guests to slow down and enjoy a picnic in the estate’s gardens, with sweeping views over the River Douro.

Set amongst vineyards and terraced hillsides, the programme has been designed to offer moments of calm and togetherness, celebrating the Douro landscape and the pleasure of time spent outdoors. To mark the occasion, all mothers will be welcomed with a complimentary Porto Tónico on arrival.

Served in traditional hampers, the picnic features a selection of flavours inspired by regional tradition — bread, chilled soup, salads, pastel de massa tenra, meat roll, cheeses and olives, hummus, fruit, and homemade cake. The experience is accompanied by a bottle of Altano Branco and a glass of Dow’s 10-Year-Old Tawny Port or Late Bottled Vintage. A vegetarian option is available on request.

Guests who book the experience will also receive a 20 per cent discount on guided tours and 10 per cent off purchases at the Quinta do Bomfim shop, rounding out the wine tourism offering.

Situated in the heart of the Douro, Quinta do Bomfim is one of the Symington family’s most emblematic estates and has firmly established itself as a leading wine tourism destination, with a programme that combines wine, food and the natural landscape.

The Mother’s Day programme is subject to prior booking and places are limited.

Rodrigo Gomes, from RFM, to Host the 2026 National Wine Tourism Award

Setúbal Peninsula Suggests Wine Tourism Experiences for Mother’s Day

The Setúbal Peninsula is once again marking Mother’s Day with a varied programme of wine tourism experiences, running across several weeks and inviting visitors to celebrate with wine, food and the outdoors.

From guided tastings and vineyard tours to picnics and open-air activities, the offering spans a range of producers and estates across the region, reinforcing the connection between the territory, its winemaking traditions, and experiences designed for all the family.

One of the highlights is the Mother’s Day Special Tasting at Herdade Canal Caveira, in Grândola, running from 27 April to 4 May. The experience includes a wine and liqueur tasting accompanied by regional tapas, with a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine — a proposition that puts local flavours front and centre.

In Palmela, Quinta do Piloto is inviting guests to celebrate with an open-air picnic on 3 May, with a hamper featuring regional produce including cheese, bread, preserves and traditional sweets, paired with the estate’s own wine.

On the same date, Casa Museu José Maria da Fonseca, in Azeitão, is offering a guided tour of its historic premises followed by a tasting of premium wines and regional sweets, while Bacalhôa Vinhos de Portugal is hosting special visits to its Adega Museu with wine tasting. Casa Ermelinda Freitas, in Fernando Pó, is also marking the occasion with an experience combining wines and olive oils in a commented tasting held in partnership with Oliv’all.

Further highlights include the Abertura do Vinho Novo at Filipe Palhoça Vinhos, in Poceirão, and open-air dining experiences such as “Sopa Caramela em Chão de Fogo”, organised by ASL Tomé, which pairs a vineyard walk with a traditional lunch.

Several wineries across the region are also launching special promotions and themed gift packs for the occasion, with notable offerings from Adega de Palmela, Venâncio da Costa Lima, and Quinta do Brejinho da Costa.

The programme extends beyond Mother’s Day itself, with events including Winelands – Wine & Music Festival in Palmela, wine dinners, themed evenings, and experiences such as the “By Road – Rota das Vinhas do Pó” route, combining winery visits, tastings, and regional gastronomy.

Another of the season’s standout attractions are the wine cruises off Sesimbra, running from May to July, which allow visitors to explore the coastline aboard a vessel fitted with underwater viewing, combining scenery, wine tasting, and local produce.

With this extensive programme, the Setúbal Peninsula consolidates its reputation as a leading wine tourism destination, offering authentic and varied experiences that invite visitors to mark Mother’s Day in a singular way — in direct contact with the land and its traditions.

Rocim presents the new Grande Rocim harvest with a renewed image

Herdade do Rocim, a wine producer located in Vidigueira, Alentejo, has just launched the new vintage of Grande Rocim, the estate’s iconic wine, which now arrives on the market with a renewed image and a new, lighter and more elegant bottle.

The new presentation reflects the brand’s strategic evolution and its contemporary vision, betting on a minimalist aesthetic and a more sustainable approach. The lighter bottle contributes to reducing environmental impact, while the ‘Rocim’ signature appears screen-printed directly on the glass, following the brand’s visual identity introduced in 2025.

Grande Rocim is positioned in the premium segment, the result of limited production from a single vineyard, with artisanal vinification and prolonged aging. “It is produced from a single vineyard selected for its ability to accurately translate a specific place. It does not result from a blend, nor from a broad interpretation of the property, but from the faithful reading of a singular plot, being produced only in years when the harvest reaches a level of excellence. “It is thus assumed to be a wine of origin and time,” says Pedro Ribeiro, CEO and winemaker at Rocim.

Produced exclusively from the Alicante Bouschet grape variety, chosen for its adaptation to the Alentejo climate, its structure and high aging potential, the wine maintains a demanding winemaking process. Production includes manual harvesting with rigorous grape selection, fermentation in stone lagares with foot treading and prolonged aging in 500-liter French oak barrels.

According to Pedro Ribeiro, working with a single vine and a single variety requires high precision: “There is no possibility of correction by batch. The result depends exclusively on the natural balance of the grape and the oenological precision.” With an aging potential of more than 20 years, Grande Rocim establishes itself as a wine for aging, evolving over time to greater aromatic complexity and more polished tannins. It should be served between 14ºC and 16ºC and, when young, benefits from decanting. Its gastronomic vocation is particularly suited to pairing with intense dishes, such as roast lamb, aged meats, game, or cured cheeses. More than just the launch of a new vintage, this edition reinforces Rocim’s vision of a more precise, elegant Sertão, faithful to its origins.

Herdade do Rocim was founded by Pedro Ribeiro and Catarina Vieira, who developed a wine project based on producing wines with identity, freshness, and a strong connection to the territory. Located in Vidigueira, an area of ​​the Alentejo influenced by Atlantic winds that help moderate the climate, the property is now established as a benchmark in the production of wines of origin and distinctive character.

Aveleda Launches ‘À Prova com…’ and Debuts New Wine Experience at Quinta da Aveleda

Aveleda has launched the programme “À Prova com…”, a new wine experience designed to deepen knowledge of the wine world through sessions led by in-house experts. The initiative takes place at the iconic Quinta da Aveleda, in Penafiel, and begins on 25 April with a first session dedicated to the Vinho Verde Demarcated Region.

Under the theme “Vinho Verde Region – The Expression of Terroir in the Glass”, this inaugural session will be led by Diogo Campilho, Aveleda’s Head Winemaker, who will guide participants through a curated tasting exploring the identity and diversity of this wine region.

Starting at 10:00am and lasting approximately two and a half hours, the experience offers an immersive journey into the world of Vinho Verde through the tasting of seven wines from the latest vintages of the Castas, Solos and Parcelas ranges. Highlights include wines such as Aveleda Solos de Xisto, Aveleda Solos de Granito, Aveleda Parcela do Roseiral and Aveleda Parcela do Convento — clear examples of how terroir is expressed in each wine’s profile.

Throughout the session, topics such as the influence of soil, climate and native grape varieties will be explored, allowing participants to gain a practical understanding of how these factors shape the organoleptic profile of the wines and reflect the uniqueness of the terroir.

At the end of the session, participants will have the opportunity to extend the experience with lunch at Quinta da Aveleda, in a setting that combines heritage, nature and wine tourism.

With capacity limited to 25 participants, this first session is priced at €95 per person, with bookings now open.

The “À Prova com…” programme will continue throughout the year, with new sessions scheduled for June, under the theme “Tasting 5 Regions – Viticulture as Art and Science”, and for November, dedicated to “Opening Old Vintages – Time as an Ingredient in Wine”.

Matriarch launches lunch menu at ‘The Wine Bar’

Matriarca, the Symington family’s gastronomic space located in Praça de Carlos Alberto, in Porto, has just launched a Lunch Menu at The Wine Bar, available from Tuesday to Friday, between 12:30 pm and 3 pm. The new offering aims to provide an accessible and relaxed gastronomic experience for those seeking to enjoy their midday break with flavor and tranquility.

The menu includes soup, a dip of your choice, main course, drink (glass of wine or house lemonade) and water, in a combination designed to balance simplicity and quality. The gastronomic offer will be renewed weekly, following seasonal products and prioritizing fresh and carefully selected ingredients.

Created by chef Pedro Lencastre Monteiro, the menu presents a contemporary approach to Portuguese tradition, where technique, creativity and respect for the product combine in an experience designed for a relaxed lunch, but full of identity.
Located on the ground floor of the Matriarca building, The Wine Bar is a space dedicated to sharing snacks and discovering wines, in an elegant and informal setting. With this new lunch offering, Matriarca reinforces its position as a gastronomic meeting point in the center of Porto, ideal for both a quick break and moments of conviviality at the table.

Symington Family Estates, owner of Matriarca, is a family business dedicated to wine production in the Douro for more than five generations, responsible for historic Port wine houses such as Graham’s, Cockburn’s, Dow’s and Warre’s, as well as several wine brands from the Douro and Alentejo regions.

Adega Mayor Olive Oils Receive Recognition

Adega Mayor has been distinguished by O Escanção magazine, published by the Portuguese Association of Sommeliers, with scores of 90 and 91 points awarded to its Extra Virgin and Flor de Sal & Louro olive oils, respectively, reinforcing the brand’s positioning in the production of high-quality olive oils.

This recognition comes at a time when olive oil is playing an increasingly important role in Adega Mayor’s strategy, complementing its wine production and reflecting the identity of the Alto Alentejo territory, particularly Campo Maior, where olive-growing traditions run deep.

With around 70 hectares of olive groves, Adega Mayor combines its own production with local partnerships, strengthening its connection to the community and traditional know-how. The distinction awarded by O Escanção validates the work carried out over recent years and encourages the continuation of an approach focused on quality and authenticity.

The Extra Virgin Olive Oil is produced from a blend of several varieties, including Carrasquenha, Picual, Cobrançosa and Arbequina, presenting a balanced profile with notes of green and ripe olives, olive leaf and fresh fruit, accompanied by a slight bitterness and peppery finish. Meanwhile, the Flor de Sal & Louro, made from Galega and Picual varieties, stands out as a flavoured olive oil, where the delicacy of fleur de sel combines with the aromatic notes of bay leaf, resulting in a refined and traditionally inspired profile.

According to Rita Nabeiro, CEO of Adega Mayor, this distinction “reflects the passion, dedication and expertise invested in each product”, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to valuing the heritage of Campo Maior and continuing to elevate the quality of its products.

The evaluation was conducted by sommelier Manuel Moreira, a national and international reference in the field, underlining the significance of this recognition within the gastronomic landscape.

Founded in 2007, Adega Mayor is part of the Nabeiro Group and stands out as a project that brings together wine, olive oil, architecture and sustainability. With a strong focus on responsible practices and the enhancement of its territory, the brand continues to consolidate its position as a benchmark in the Portuguese agri-food sector.