New tourism observatory focuses on the well-being of professionals

GesTur-Be’s first meeting brings together associations and public bodies in Lisbon to assess the sector’s labour reality. The study is based on the WHO model and should present its first results in November. APENO is part of this contribution.
A new step has been taken to transform the working environment in the tourism sector. GesTur-Be – the Observatory for Tourism Management and People’s Well-being – recently held its kick-off meeting, bringing together representatives from various professional associations, public bodies and academics with the aim of drawing up a reliable picture of working conditions in hotels, restaurants and other areas of tourism in Portugal.
The initiative comes from LABPATS – Laboratório Português de Ambientes de Trabalho Saudáveis (Portuguese Laboratory for Healthy Working Environments) and is based on the World Health Organisation’s “Healthy Workplaces” model. On the table is the creation of a collaborative platform to diagnose, monitor and improve the well-being of those who work in one of the most strategic sectors of the national economy.

‘Our focus is clear: to promote healthier working environments and thus contribute to retaining and valuing professionals,’ said Tânia Gaspar, one of the observatory’s coordinators. She also pointed out that the project will analyse dimensions such as mental health, organisational culture, psychosocial risks and physical and social working conditions.
With the involvement of organisations such as AHRESP, APAVT, APECATE, AGIC, ADHP, APENO and other entities from the tourism ecosystem, GesTur-Be aims to act as a tool to support decision-making and concrete intervention in companies. According to the team, an annual national report will be drawn up and each interested entity will be able to receive a personalised assessment, accompanied by strategic recommendations.
For Mafalda Patuleia, also the project’s coordinator, the impacts go beyond the internal management of companies: “Young people’s growing lack of interest in careers in tourism is a warning sign. If we don’t improve working conditions, we’ll be jeopardising the future of training in this area.”

Until November, GesTur-Be will concentrate on collecting and analysing data, and the first results are expected to be presented later this year. But the promoters guarantee that this will be an ongoing process. “We are aware of the challenges, from adapting the evaluation instruments to the reality of the sector to the willingness of organisations to collaborate. But the support shown at the first meeting shows that there is a real desire for change,” emphasised Álvaro Lopes Dias, a professor at ISCTE and a member of the project team.

Quinta da Alorna launches exclusive SOLERA 2018 wine under the Creations brand

Quinta da Alorna has just presented SOLERA 2018, the second wine under the Creations brand, made exclusively with Fernão Pires and using the traditional solera method. A limited edition of just 1129 bottles, it fuses tradition, innovation and creativity.
Quinta da Alorna, in Almeirim, has just launched SOLERA 2018, the latest wine in its premium “Creations” line. This is the house’s first wine produced using the solera method – a traditional technique used in wines such as Jerez and Madeira – and marks the second launch of the Quinta da Alorna Creations brand, which is committed to boldness, exclusivity and superior quality.
Produced from the Fernão Pires grape variety, one of the most emblematic of the Tejo region, SOLERA 2018 is the result of a process that began in 2018, with ageing in French oak barrels and annual replenishment with wines from subsequent vintages. The result is a golden-coloured white with evolved aromas, oxidative notes and a surprising freshness that make it an exceptional wine for keeping.
Pedro Lufinha, General Manager of Quinta da Alorna, emphasises: ‘SOLERA 2018 affirms our commitment to innovation and excellence, and is a clear expression of what we want to offer with the Creations brand – wines that combine tradition and creativity.’

SOLERA 2018 is available in a limited edition of 1129 numbered bottles, on sale in premium wine shops and in Quinta da Alorna’s online shop. A true bottled ‘art of time’ that promises to surprise connoisseurs and collectors.

Symington launches 2023 Quinta Vintage Ports with a strong expression of the terroir

The Symington family has announced the production of Quinta Vintage Ports from six of its main properties in the Douro, following a 2023 harvest characterised by moderate conditions and balanced maturation. Four of these wines – Quinta do Vesúvio, Senhora da Ribeira (Dow’s), Quinta dos Malvedos (Graham’s) and Quinta do Bomfim (Dow’s) – will be launched en primeur in 2025. The remaining two, from Quinta da Cavadinha (Warre’s) and Quinta dos Canais (Cockburn’s), will be aged for future release.
Abundant rainfall in the winter and spring, followed by a mild summer, allowed the grapes to ripen gradually. The harvest of the main plots of Touriga Nacional and Franca was completed shortly before further rainfall, ensuring wines with freshness, balance and vibrant colour.
‘These Quinta Vintages reflect the best of the 2023 vintage,’ says Charles Symington, the company’s head winemaker. He explains that the best performing plots were selected from each quinta, resulting in wines with a strong identity of origin and great ageing capacity.
The wines will be bottled in May and hit the market in June. The Vintage wines from Vesúvio and Senhora da Ribeira will be available in various formats, while those from Malvedos and Bomfim will only be released in magnums and 3-litre bottles.

Creative wine tourism in Borba: ceramics, wine and artistic expression at the EM Rézio House Museum

On 6 July, wine tourism takes on a new dimension in Borba with a creative workshop that brings together ceramics, music and wine in a relaxed and inspiring atmosphere.
On 6 July, the town of Borba will host an innovative proposal on the national wine tourism scene: a ceramics workshop that invites participants to create their own mug or cup while tasting wine and enjoying ambient music. The initiative takes place between 3pm and 5.30pm at the EM Rézio Interactive Museum House and is led by ceramicist Carlota Valente.

Using the pinch pot technique, participants will mould clay with their hands, exploring form and creativity in a unique sensory experience. In addition to the artistic learning, the intimate atmosphere of the museum, combined with the tasting of two glasses of wine, transforms the afternoon into a true celebration of the senses and local culture.

Costing 60 euros per person – which includes materials, firing, glazing and wine – the workshop is limited to 8 participants. Bookings must be made by emailing geral@emrezio.pt or calling 925 076 864.

The Casa Museu EM Rézio, in Borba, is thus reinforcing its role as a cultural and tourist centre, focusing on wine tourism experiences, where art and wine come together to create lasting memories.

Quinta da Vacaria launches relaxed wines

With summer approaching, Quinta da Vacaria, in Peso da Régua, is presenting two fresh, aromatic wines with a Douro accent, designed for socialising and for a new generation of consumers. ‘Oh Pires!’ is the novelty of the season and joins the new vintage of ‘Ah Galego!
With a light, dry, fresh profile and low alcohol content, both wines were produced from historic Douro grape varieties – Fernão Pires and Moscatel Galego – and are meant to be enjoyed outdoors, among friends and without ceremony. ‘These are wines that can perfectly replace a beer on a terrace, without compromising on quality,’ explains João Menezes, winemaker at Quinta da Vacaria.
Available in 0.75 cl bottles, with a retail price of €18.50, both “Oh Pires!” and “Ah Galego!” are already on sale in the country’s main wine shops and in Quinta da Vacaria’s physical and online spaces.

Sparrow Creative Solutions was responsible for the image and concept of the wines. They opted for an irreverent graphic language designed for a younger audience. ‘We want consumers to feel curious when they look at the label, and for the wine to be the starting point for a sensory experience,’ emphasises Pedro Antunes, responsible for the design.
Quinta da Vacaria is thus reinforcing its commitment to innovation in the sector, without losing sight of the Douro terroir. It’s further proof that Douro wine tourism can speak to several generations: with an accent, with soul and now also… with freshness!

AdegaMãe with wine bar and lounge open all year round

At AdegaMãe in Torres Vedras, wine tourism is experienced every day. With a wine bar and lounge open all year round, the winery highlights this permanent enogastronomic experience, underlining its commitment to a proposal that invites visitors to slow down, enjoy the scenery and discover the harmonisation between the house wines and a selection of regional snacks.
With a relaxed atmosphere and privileged views over the vineyards, the space is designed for informal visits, meetings between friends or quiet evenings. Wine takes centre stage, with different AdegaMãe references available by the glass, always accompanied by a snack menu that favours fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Among the gastronomic proposals are the beef pica-pau, the codfish pasties and rissoles, and the xara served in bolo do caco. The offer varies according to the season, but remains faithful to the tradition and flavour of the region.
“We believe that wine tourism should be a complete experience, where wine is lived with time and context. This space is another step towards making AdegaMãe a must-visit destination, not just to taste wines, but to enjoy meaningful moments,” emphasises Bernardo Alves, AdegaMãe’s CEO.

Open daily, AdegaMãe’s wine bar is not just a stopover point: it’s an invitation to enjoy wine calmly, in a sensory experience that combines the best of wine production with a cuisine designed for sharing.

Aveleda launches limited collection with illustrated labels

Parcela do Convento 2021 combines wine and art in nine unique editions, with illustrations by Sónia Borges
Aveleda has presented a limited edition of its Parcela do Convento 2021 wine, in an initiative that unites the world of wine with artistic illustration and pays homage to nine iconic restaurants in Portuguese gastronomy. With only 1,107 bottles available, this exclusive collection features nine different labels, created by illustrator Sónia Borges, which visually capture the essence and stories of the spaces that inspired the project.
The restaurants Solar dos Presuntos, Pepper’s Stakehouse, Romando, O Gaveto, Authentic, O Magano, Rei das Praias, Veneza and Mato à Vista were the protagonists of this artistic series, with each bottle being a unique piece celebrating the country’s cultural and gastronomic identity.
‘Each label is a work of art that honours the identity and soul of the nine restaurants that are part of this project,’ says Filipa Albergaria, Aveleda’s brand manager, stressing the emotional and cultural nature of the initiative.
These bottles can only be found in the restaurants themselves, reinforcing the link between the wine, the place and the sensory experience at the table. A proposal that invites sharing, discovery and celebration of the flavours and stories that make Portuguese gastronomy unique.

Ericeira hosts wine party overlooking the Atlantic

The first edition of the Ericeira Wine Party takes place on 5 July at the Hotel Vila Galé Ericeira, with 200 wines, snacks and lots of entertainment by the sea.
The panoramic terrace of the Vila Galé Ericeira Hotel will become the epicentre of the west coast’s wine celebration with the arrival of the first edition of the Ericeira Wine Party, scheduled for next Saturday, July 5, between 5pm and 10pm. Organised by Paixão Pelo Vinho magazine, the event promises a complete sensory experience, bringing together more than 200 wines and sparkling wines from national producers, snacks from the hotel’s chef, refreshing cocktails, commented tastings, music, prizes and entertainment, all with the sea as a backdrop.

Among the producers present are names such as Adega de Favaios, Casa Ermelinda Freitas, Casa Santa Vitória, Douro Ansiães, Enoport Wines, Herdade dos Lagos, Quinta Val Moreira and Raposeira, among others. There will also be room for surprises, such as ‘Summer Cocktails by Favaíto’ and the fun game ‘Hit and Win with Lobster’, where participants can win prizes.

The musical entertainment will be provided by DJ André Vieira, who guarantees a late afternoon of good music and dancing. The first 500 visitors to the event will also receive an exclusive hat, courtesy of Casa Ermelinda Freitas.

Tickets are on pre-sale at promotional prices: €15 (single) and €25 (double) until the day before, available from Ticketline and the usual outlets such as Fnac, Worten and El Corte Inglés. On the day of the event, access will be exclusive at the venue, for €25 per person. All tickets include a tasting glass for free tasting.

The Ericeira Wine Party promises to become a new summer classic for lovers of wine, gastronomy and the seaside lifestyle.

Vila Galé Ópera rooftop reopens with daily sunsets in Lisbon

With a privileged view over the Tagus and Lisbon, the rooftop of the Vila Galé Ópera hotel in Alcântara reopens to the public with a renewed concept, new services and a summer programme.
The rooftop of the Vila Galé Ópera hotel in Alcântara is back with a new image and proposals for all those looking to celebrate summer in style. With around 150 square metres and capacity for 80 people, the space has been redesigned to host business events, private parties or more reserved moments, and is available by prior arrangement.
During the summer months, the rooftop is open to the public for daily sunsets between 5pm and 9pm, offering an unrivalled setting with direct views over the River Tagus and the city of Lisbon. Outside these hours, the space – which includes two swimming pools – is reserved exclusively for hotel guests.
Located between the historic centre and the Alcântara riverside area, the rooftop aims to establish itself as a versatile and cosmopolitan meeting point, accessible to both Lisboners and tourists. Designed by architect Manuel Salgado, the Vila Galé Ópera hotel features décor inspired by opera and classical music, with 259 rooms and spaces dedicated to meetings and business events. More information and bookings can be made by contacting the hotel directly or by email.

Vacaria’s Grande Reserva 2019 debuts at Schistó restaurant

Quinta da Vacaria is launching Grande Reserva 2019, a limited edition red wine that will inaugurate the exclusive menu of the new Schistó restaurant, a fine dining space on the estate itself, in Peso da Régua. The wine, produced only in excellent wine years, is made in a wine press and aged for four years in the bottle.
Signed by winemaker João Menezes, the blend of Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca stands out for its elegance, complexity and expression of the Douro terroir. ‘It’s a wine with incredible authenticity and a true sense of place,’ says the winemaker.
Schistó exclusively serves wines from Quinta da Vacaria and focuses on combinations thought out in detail between the dishes and the wines produced in the house. With gastronomic direction from Vítor Matos and support from chef Vítor Gomes and sous-chef Carolina Columbano, the restaurant presents a seasonal menu, revealed only at the time of the meal.
The produce used comes mainly from local producers and from two of the family’s properties: the quinta’s own vegetable garden and Quinta da Gregoça. Partridges from Lamego, lamb from Resende or fish caught in the Douro, such as trout or crayfish, are just some of the options on the gastronomic menu. The pairing is led by Carlos Eduardo, the house sommelier. Only 660 bottles of this Grande Reserva 2019 will be placed on the market.