Vila Galé Collection Palácio dos Arcos opens 12 new premium rooms with sea views

The Vila Galé group has just completed the expansion of the Vila Galé Collection Palácio dos Arcos, which now has 88 rooms, including 12 new premium units with sea views. Located in Paço de Arcos, in a privileged area between the Tagus River and the Atlantic Ocean, the hotel thus reinforces its commitment to the boutique hotel segment, responding to growing demand in the Lisbon region.
The new rooms have been integrated into the existing structure, preserving the architectural identity and thematic concept of the hotel, which combines historical heritage with poetry. With their sober and elegant décor, these new units stand out for their sweeping sea views, offering a distinctive and sophisticated accommodation experience.Housed in the Palácio dos Arcos, a building dating from the late 15th century and rebuilt in the 18th century, the hotel opened in 2013 as the group’s first five-star establishment in Portugal. Its history dates back to the Age of Discovery: according to historical records, it was from this location that King Manuel I watched the caravels set sail for India.
The poetic concept is present throughout the space, with poems by Florbela Espanca, Fernando Pessoa, Vinícius de Moraes and Eugénio de Andrade inspiring the decoration of the rooms and common areas.
Among its main attractions, the Vila Galé Collection Palácio dos Arcos offers gardens, an outdoor swimming pool, a library, a wine cellar, a chapel and a meeting room, as well as the Satsanga Collection spa, which has an indoor swimming pool, sauna, Turkish bath, hydromassage, gym and treatment rooms. The Inevitável restaurant offers a menu inspired by Portuguese cuisine, enhancing the hotel’s sensory and cultural experience.
With this expansion, the Vila Galé group reinforces the positioning of Palácio dos Arcos as one of the most emblematic units in its collection, combining history, comfort and poetry by the sea.

Krohn celebrates 160 years with an exclusive six-piece Vintage case

In the year it celebrates 160 years of history, Krohn celebrates its legacy with the launch of the Krohn Fine Port Collection, a limited edition case containing six exceptional Vintage Ports — 1958, 1960, 1970, 2003, 2009 and 2022 — carefully selected by David Baverstock, Chairman Winemaker at WineStone. Presented in an elegant hardwood case, numbered and limited to 100 units, this launch symbolises the union between the brand’s memory and a new vision for the future.
More than just a set of rare wines, this collection represents a manifesto for the new Krohn, now part of WineStone, the José de Mello Group’s wine holding company. Inspired by innovation, quality and authenticity, the brand also presents a renewed image, recovering the original spelling and reinforcing the connection to its historical roots.
According to David Baverstock, the selection of years reflects the richness of the brand’s portfolio and its renewed ambition:
“Each Vintage chosen represents a unique moment in our history and affirms our desire to look ahead. We are honouring the past while shaping a bright future with our own style.”

The collection brings together wines that span decades of Krohn excellence, from the elegant and aromatic Vintages of 1958 and 1960, through the sensual complexity of 1970, to the exceptional years of 2003 and 2009. Rounding off the selection is the 2022 Vintage, which reflects the energy and potential of contemporary Krohn, with its intense structure, silky tannins and great ageing potential.
The Krohn Fine Porto Collection, priced at €1,500, is designed for collectors, Port wine connoisseurs and as a luxury gift for this festive season, combining exclusivity, history and oenological quality.
Founded in 1865 by Norwegian cousins Theodor Wiese and Dankert Krohn, initially under the name Wiese & Krohn, the brand has built a solid reputation for the excellence of its wood-aged Vintages and Colheitas. Today, it is based at the legendary Quinta do Retiro Novo in Sarzedinho, whose old, low-yielding vines continue to produce some of the house’s most iconic wines.
With this launch, Krohn reaffirms its position as one of the leading names in Port wine, celebrating 160 years of history with a firm eye on the future.

Casa Relvas launches Segredos de São Miguel Low Alcohol

Casa Relvas continues to show that it is possible to innovate without losing identity. The new Segredos de São Miguel Low Alcohol 7.5% White 2024 is the company’s latest venture into more moderate consumption, designed for those seeking lightness and freshness, but also balance and environmental awareness.
‘We have produced this wine with the aim of keeping up with the times and consumer preferences, while maintaining our essence and quality. Segredos de São Miguel Low Alcohol 7.5% is a light, fresh and balanced wine, ideal for relaxed moments and for those seeking moderation,’ says Alexandre Relvas, CEO of Casa Relvas.
Although it cannot be classified as DOC or IG, as it contains less than 8.5% vol., the wine is certified by the IVV as a wine product, in accordance with European legislation applicable to low-alcohol wines – a recognition that underlines the seriousness and rigour of the project.

Produced in Alentejo from Arinto, Fernão Pires and Moscatel grape varieties, this white wine stands out for its freshness and tropical aromatic profile, resulting from low-temperature fermentation and a process of partial dealcoholisation by vacuum evaporation, which preserves the wine’s identity.
Light yellow in colour with greenish hues, it reveals notes of rose and tropical fruits, mild acidity and balanced sweetness, making it perfect for accompanying appetisers, salads, sushi or seafood.
With a lighter bottle and no capsule, Casa Relvas also reinforces its commitment to sustainability and reducing emissions.
Under the Segredos de São Miguel brand, renowned for its consistency and authenticity, this limited edition of 10,000 bottles is priced at €4.99 and is now available in wine shops, speciality stores and restaurants across the country.

Quinta da Alorna proposes Grande Reserva to enhance Christmas celebrations

Quinta da Alorna presents its wine suggestions for Christmas, highlighting the Marquesa de Alorna Grande Reserva range, created from the best grape varieties selected in years of unique weather conditions. Exclusive and produced in limited quantities, these wines are the perfect choice to accompany festive meals or to give as gifts during this season of celebration.
The collection pays tribute to Leonor de Almeida Portugal de Lorena e Lencastre, Marquesa de Alorna, a prominent figure in Portuguese culture, whose legacy lives on 275 years after her birth. Inspired by her elegant and distinguished character, the range includes two wines with a sophisticated profile.
Marquesa de Alorna Grande Reserva White has a bright lemon colour and reveals aromas of citrus, white flowers and tropical nuances, balanced by subtle notes of wood. The Marquesa de Alorna Grande Reserva Red, with its intense purple hue, stands out for its delicate floral notes and black fruit wrapped in an elegant cedar background, completing a range that symbolises excellence and tradition.

Designed for the Portuguese table, these wines pair well with the most emblematic dishes of this season: from roast turkey to boiled cod, from roast kid to Christmas octopus, offering elegance and depth to the typical recipes that bring families together from north to south.
Available in a premium box, in White or Red versions, the sets include two 750 ml bottles and are on sale for €57 at the Quinta da Alorna online store or at the physical store in Almeirim. The brand also offers a selection of special gift ideas, designed to surprise during this festive season.
The art of celebrating Christmas takes on a new shine with Quinta da Alorna, inviting you to toast with wines that combine history, character and elegance.

Douro Boys open the doors to luxury: exclusive wine experiences with the signature of Luxury Tours in Portugal

In the heart of the Douro, where the river winds its way between centuries-old terraces and the silence of the vineyards dictates the rhythm of time, a proposal is born that redefines the concept of luxury wine tourism in Portugal. Luxury Tours in Portugal, a brand of the Wine Tourism in Portugal group, presents an exclusive wine itinerary designed in partnership with the legendary Douro Boys, a collective that has been promoting the Douro and its wines to the world for decades.
The doors of iconic estates such as Niepoort, Quinta do Vallado, Quinta do Crasto and Vale Meão open in complete privacy to welcome visitors to carefully planned experiences, where wine is just the beginning of an incomparable sensory journey. In intimate gatherings, Dirk Niepoort, Tomás and Miguel Roquette, Luíza and Jaime Olazabal, among other protagonists of this exceptional terroir, share their stories and conduct tastings that reveal the soul and essence of the great wines of the Douro.

More than just visits, these experiences represent rare access to a world reserved for the few — a celebration of authenticity and tradition, combined with the refinement of luxury hospitality. The proposals include paired dinners at the estates themselves, secret landscapes revealed only to special guests, carefully chosen charming accommodation, and discreet travel by private jet or helicopter, ensuring comfort and exclusivity at every moment.
‘This is not a service, it is a masterpiece of wine tourism. A tribute to tradition, the land and timeless luxury,’ emphasises Sílvia Ferreira, CEO of the Wine Tourism in Portugal group, highlighting that true luxury lies in unique experiences and the art of savouring time slowly.
Reservations for these experiences are now available on the Luxury Tours in Portugal website, and although designed primarily for an international audience, the domestic market is also invited to discover this new chapter in Portuguese wine tourism, where the Douro confirms its status as the destination of choice for those seeking excellence, privacy and excitement.
More information at: https://www.luxurytoursportugal.com/

Quinta de Lemos launches Christmas packs

Cockburn’s launches “From the Barrel to the Kitchen” experience in partnership with Sagardi Porto

Cockburn’s, the renowned Port wine brand, has just launched the ‘From Barrel to Kitchen’ experience in collaboration with the Sagardi Porto restaurant. The initiative offers participants a combination of wine and gastronomy, combining tradition and authentic regional products.
The programme begins with a guided tour of Cockburn’s large ageing warehouse in Vila Nova de Gaia, including a tasting of three Port wines. This is followed by lunch in Ribeira do Porto, where guests are served a Port and Tonic cocktail before sampling dishes inspired by traditional Basque cuisine, with starters such as Txistorra, Idiazabal Cheese Salad or Ham Croquettes, and main courses such as Duck Magret, Old Cow Tartare or ‘Caserio’ Pork Ribs.
The wine pairing is provided by Florão DOC Alentejo, Altano DOC Douro and Pombal do Vesúvio wines, produced by Symington, the family responsible for Graham’s, Cockburn’s, Dow’s and Warre’s, as well as Douro wines such as Quinta do Vesuvio and Altano.

The ‘From Barrel to Kitchen’ experience is available for €75 or €84 per person, depending on the menu chosen, and includes a visit to Cockburn’s cellars and lunch at Sagardi Porto. Reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance via the official website.
With this initiative, Cockburn’s reinforces the connection between Port wine, gastronomy and the territory, offering visitors a complete experience that awakens all the senses along the banks of the Douro River.

JNcQUOI Fish opens its doors in Lisbon

JNcQUOI Fish, the Amorim Luxury group’s latest gastronomic project, has opened its doors on Avenida da Liberdade, forming part of JNcQUOI House and promising to redefine the experience of Portuguese cuisine inspired by the sea. Led by chefs Filipe Carvalho, from the Michelin-starred restaurant Fifty Seconds, and António Bóia, the space celebrates Portugal’s deep connection to the Atlantic through dishes that combine technique, tradition, and creativity.

The restaurant offers a sensory journey across the sea, from cold starters such as codfish cake with caviar and tartar sauce, spider crab with avocado and citrus fruits, or sliced fish with caviar, to hot starters including JNcQUOI golden cod and garlic prawns with fried quail eggs. Among the main courses, highlights include tuna steak with fried egg, designed for sharing, red seabream with white prawns from the Algarve on spinach and chanterelles, and the classics Portuguese-style fish and roasted octopus à lagareiro, reinterpreted with refined techniques without losing the authenticity of traditional flavors.

The CEO and founder of the JNcQUOI universe, Miguel Guedes de Sousa, emphasizes that JNcQUOI Fish “was born with the ambition of becoming an internationally renowned fish restaurant, made with Portuguese soul and excellent hospitality,” and reinforces that the space is “a tribute from Portugal to the Atlantic and the symbol of a new generation of Portuguese hospitality.”

With a capacity for 80 seats, the restaurant features an interior design by Vincent Van Duysen, reflecting the group’s contemporary and elegant aesthetic. Every detail, from the lighting to the textures, has been designed to create a continuous dialogue between the sea and the city, extending even to the bathrooms, which have been conceived as sensory experiences.

JNcQUOI House, which houses the restaurant, marks the group’s entry into the world of luxury hospitality and offers an integrated lifestyle experience, including access to the JNcQUOI Club, personalized shopping curation, and a connection to Comporta. Morgan Inesta, formerly of Groupe Ducasse Paris, is the general manager of the hotel, which combines comfort, elegance, and exclusive experiences.

JNcQUOI Fish is open daily from 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. at Avenida da Liberdade, 189, Lisbon. Reservations can be made by email (book.fish@jncquoi.com) or through the restaurant’s official website.

Hotel Vila Galé Ópera opens new outdoor pool overlooking the Tagus River

Located opposite the Tagus River, with the 25 de Abril Bridge as a backdrop, the new pool combines modernity and comfort, offering sun loungers, ambient music, night lighting and a bar. The space is exclusively for guests, reinforcing the proposal of exclusivity and sophistication, and is prepared to host everything from individual leisure moments to private events.
More than just a leisure area, the pool was designed as a versatile and elegant environment, allowing guests to enjoy moments of relaxation with a privileged view over Lisbon. This new feature is part of Vila Galé Ópera’s philosophy of offering unique experiences, complementing the hotel’s already wide range of amenities, such as the spa with indoor pool, gym, rooftop, Falstaff restaurant and Fidélio bar.

Designed by architect Manuel Salgado, the hotel draws inspiration from opera and classical music, creating an elegant and cultural atmosphere. In addition to the new outdoor pool, Vila Galé Ópera stands out for the unique experiences it offers guests, including live opera performances, a Brazilian Feijoada buffet on Saturdays and lively Thursday nights with Cuban music, establishing itself as a leisure and cultural venue in Lisbon.
It should be noted that the Vila Galé group produces wine in the Douro and Alentejo regions and promotes various wine tourism activities. In Lisbon, the urban wine tourism festivals in partnership with the magazine “Paixão pelo Vinho” are well known.

Wine Tourism and Wine Talks bring together experts, communicators and leading figures to discuss the future of urban wine tourism in Lisbon

The talks will take place at the Beato Creative Hub, in the former Fábrica do Pão, between 6pm and 9pm, as part of the official programme of the event promoted by the Lisbon Regional Tourism Authority (ERT-Lisboa) and designed and produced by the Portuguese Wine Tourism Association (APENO).

‘The Talks are an excellent opportunity to learn about innovative projects, inspiring stories and experiences that put Lisbon on the national and international urban wine tourism map,’ says Carla Salsinha, President of ERT Lisboa.

The Talks were designed to create a relaxed but deeply informative space for dialogue, where each guest shares their vision on the growing role of wine tourism in cities and how wine is integrated into everyday urban life. Throughout the afternoon and early evening, participants will have the opportunity to hear from entrepreneurs, communicators, experts and leaders who are reinventing the sector.

The Talks were designed to create a relaxed but deeply informative space for dialogue, where each guest shares their vision on the growing role of wine tourism in cities and how wine fits into everyday urban life. Throughout the afternoon and early evening, participants will have the opportunity to hear from entrepreneurs, communicators, experts and leaders who are reinventing the sector.

‘With this series of talks, we want to showcase the diversity, creativity and strength of urban wine tourism in Portugal, and how it brings wine closer to people, culture and the city,’ adds Maria João de Almeida, President of APENO.

WINE TOURISM AND WINE TALKS PROGRAMME

6 p.m. – ‘The Urban Wine Tourism Business’
Interview conducted by journalist Margarida Vaqueiro Lopes (DN / Dinheiro Vivo)
➡ Guest: Pedro Monteiro, owner of Arinto Wine Bar, shares his business vision and the path that led this project to establish itself as one of the capital’s innovative projects. A conversation about business models, current challenges and the enormous potential of urban wine tourism.

6:45 p.m. – ‘The Pleasures of Wine and Wine Tourism’
Interview by radio presenter Paula Cordeiro (Hedonista / NiT)
➡ Radio and television presenter Maria Seixas Correia talks about how wine intersects with sensory, cultural and emotional experiences, and about the importance of promoting content that brings new audiences closer to wine tourism.

7:30 p.m. – ‘Women in Conversation: The Power of Women in Wine Tourism’
Moderated by journalist and tourism consultant Paula Cosme Pinto (O Apartamento)
➡ An inspiring dialogue with Rita Soares and Cristina Laffan, two women who have made their mark on Portuguese wine tourism, discussing female leadership, innovation and the transformation of the sector from an inclusive and contemporary perspective.

8:15 p.m. – ‘Aromas and Flavours in an Urban Winery in Lisbon’
Interview conducted by journalist Edgardo Pacheco (Público)
➡ Catarina Moreira, owner of Adega de Belém, reveals the behind-the-scenes of an urban winery that produces wine in the heart of Lisbon, showing how tradition and modernity intersect in a unique project.

About the main event:

The Urban Wine Tourism festival runs from 5pm to midnight, with tastings, interactive experiences, games, competitions and musical performances — including a set by special guest DJ Fernando Alvim, from 9pm to midnight.
At the same time, there will also be an Open Day at the Instituto Superior de Agronomia, with visits to its historic vineyards (activities subject to prior registration).

Tickets and Information
Tickets are now available at: https://ticketline.sapo.pt/evento/lisbon-urban-wine-tourism-enoturismo-urbano-99338

Information and registration for the Open Day at ISA: https://enoturismodeportugal.pt/lisbon-urban-wine-tourism/