Ravasqueira launches a new experience dedicated to biodiversity

The new ecotourism experience promoted by Ravasqueira is part of a strategy to diversify wine tourism proposals and aims to make wine lovers and the general public aware of the enormous biodiversity of that Alentejo ecosystem and how it impacts and is positively related to the viticultural activity of the property.

For Gonçalo Ribeirinho dos Santos, Ravasqueira’s marketing director, «at a time when we are expanding our wine tourism offer, we see this commitment to nature tourism as crucial. The more than 3,000 hectares of Ravasqueira preserve a unique and absolutely fascinating biodiversity, to which we also owe the quality and excellence of our wines. It will be a journey through the vineyards, guided by the vast knowledge of the biologist Mário Carmo, who, over the last year, has been carrying out a thorough and rigorous survey of the local fauna and flora. An opportunity to discover Ravasqueira from another point of view and an ideal proposal for the whole family».

This bet intends to guarantee a different and familiar offer in Ravasqueira. Limited to 25 people (being held with a minimum of 10) per session, the experience takes place every month, on Saturday morning. The first visit is already scheduled for the 27th of May, and is available for booking on the Ravasqueira website, at http://www.ravasqueira.com. With a cost of 25 euros per participant, this experience takes us on a journey between hills and vineyards, highlighting how biodiversity shapes the excellent Alentejo wines produced on the property. Each visit will be different, following the cycle of nature and the vineyards, ending with a wine tasting from Ravasqueira.

Ravasqueira is renewing its wine tourism offer, investing in new programmes, visits, tastings, courses, workshops and other experiences that promote Alentejo culture and tradition in harmony with a rich and diverse ecosystem that allows the production of great wines. We invite you to come and discover the 3,000 hectares of Ravasqueira, through the animals, plants, wines, flavors and people who tell its long history.

A visit to Churchill’s cellars

With a privileged view over the Douro, Churchill’s cellars, in Vila Nova de Gaia, are a mandatory stop for anyone who is passionate about wine. At the visitor center, visitors have the opportunity to learn about the wine aging process with the team of ‘wine educators’, or even enjoy an exclusive and personalized tasting with one of its enologists. 

A visit to Churchill’s cellars includes the Sala dos Tonelis, the Tawny Warehouse and the Vintage Cellar. Visitors are guided through the 40-year history of ‘Churchill’s’ house and the family that founded it, getting to know the world of Port wine through the aging process – from the large barrels of Reserve and LBV, to the cellar where Port wines are Vintage Port rests and ages in the bottle, right up to the large barrel warehouse where the house Tawny wines and their iconic dry white Port wine are aged. 

The tasting experiences are divided between Port and Douro wines. To discover the brand’s Port wines, visitors can opt for: Classic Tasting; Try Ruby; Wood-Aged Proof; Gricha Terroir Vintage Port tasting (winemaker’s selection); and Churchill’s Vintage Port Tasting (winemaker’s selection). For Douro wines, the Classic Tasting is available; Classic tasting with native grapes and Gricha Terroir tasting. 

In both experiences, it is possible to order a selection of cheeses to go with it, or even opt for the Tasting of the Day, designed and selected by the Churchill’s team for visitors who want to be surprised. Tastings vary between €15 and €45 per person. 

After the tasting, visitors can take home the references they liked the most through a visit to Churchill’s cellar. The real challenge is choosing: from Ruby Ports to wood-aged Ports – with emphasis on the 30 and 40 year old Tawny Ports, included among the ‘Best of the Year’ by Revista de Vinhos –, there are several options in the brand’s universe. To break the tie, there is also a Churchill’s Port Experience Pack with a tasting of the three Port wine styles – ruby, tawny and white. 

In addition to the cellars, visitors can, from Friday to Sunday from 2 pm to 7 pm, enjoy the rest of the day at the 1982 Bar and in Churchill’s garden, while savoring a glass of wine with the unforgettable scenery of Porto, the Douro River , and the mural by visual artist and illustrator Kruella D’Enfer who brought an explosion of color to the space in 2021, in a unique artistic intervention. 

Visits and tastings can be made from Monday to Sunday, always from 10 am to 6 pm, with the last visit to the cellars scheduled for 5 pm. And the garden is open from Friday to Sunday, from 2 pm to 7 pm, from May 5th. 

Churchill’s also offers the possibility for visitors to book an exclusive visit with the presence of winemakers. or by phone. For more information, see Churchill’s website https://www.drinkchurchills.com/en/ 

Torre de Palma suggests a holiday program with activities for the whole family

The Torre de Palma Wine Hotel is preparing to welcome the hot summer days with a program designed for the whole family. With tranquility as its calling card, the Torre de Palma Wine Hotel offers activities that fill the days while resting in these wine regions. For adults, the proposal is mainly to discover the Adega Torre de Palma. In addition to visiting the wine cellar, where you can learn a little more about the brand’s collection and production methods, visitors are also invited to enjoy a Welcome Drink with Torre de Palma wine at the top of the Torre da Herdade, where you can enjoy the sunset.

As for the little ones, the activities were designed to provide games that awaken them to the discovery of new stimuli, such as the Treasure Hunt and the Pizza Workshop promising moments of great fun, as well as diving in the outdoor pool, ideal for hot days in Alentejo. Still with the family, Torre de Palma Wine Hotel suggests bike rides around the property and walks along the ‘Torre de Palma Trail’. The SPA is also available, with access to the indoor pool, jacuzzi and Turkish bath, by appointment.

In the evening, the program extends to the Palma Restaurant, where chef Miguel Laffan welcomes visitors with dishes full of Alentejo flavor, where local products stand out, such as homemade sausages, pure cheeses or carefully selected grazing animals.

«Our offer combines traditional flavors with the lightness suitable for hot days, such as duck pie roasted in a wood-fired oven with watercress and orange salad, grilled squid, prawn rice or black pork piano with Thai salad , with the suggestion of pairing with Torre de Palma wines. In the menu there is also a variety of vegetarian dishes and also for the little ones», explains chef Miguel Laffan.

For other unforgettable experiences, the Torre de Palma Wine Hotel also suggests peaceful horseback rides through the estate, vaulting lessons, stargazing, spa massages, wine tasting, cocktails by the pool, picnics in the olive groves or the magnificent walk in hot air balloon with breathtaking views.

The Summer Holidays Program in Torre de Palma has a minimum stay of 3 nights and includes: Accommodation with breakfast, Half board at the Palma Restaurant by Miguel Laffan (drinks not included), Welcome Drink at the Tower with Torre de Palma wine at sunset -of the sun; Visit to the Torre de Palma Winery; Children’s activities: Treasure Hunt and Pizza Workshop; Bicycles for touring around the property; Free access to the SPA (indoor pool, jacuzzi and Turkish bath) by appointment; Walking suggestion ‘Torre de Palma Trail’; Possibility to customize the program with different activities to choose from with a 15% discount.

*10% discount on Accommodation on direct bookings.

Quinta da Lagoalva rebrands and debuts Fernão Pires in single varietal 

Quinta da Lagoalva – wine project of the Holstein Campilho family, located in Alpiarça and one of the largest and oldest properties in the Tagus Wine region – chose 2023 as a year of change, materialized in the rebranding of the logo and labels of its portfolio of wines, which will hit the market by the end of the year, as new vintages are launched. Added to this is the commitment to the region’s flagship grape variety, with the debut of Quinta da Lagoalva Grande Reserva Fernão Pires and another reference, to be revealed soon. Led by Pedro Pinhão, administrator and director of oenology – in partnership with oenologist Luís Paulino –, this dynamic arises within the scope of the movement to promote this variety, promoted by the Regional Wine Commission for Tejo Wines, at national and international level. 

 The new image was developed by the Portuguese design and advertising agency OM Design, in close collaboration with the oenology, commercial and wine tourism teams at Quinta da Lagoalva. Creatives and designers visited the farm and immersed themselves in the universe of Lagoalva, in order to capture its essence and some of the most striking elements, which came to integrate the new labels, in image and in texts – written with the support of the family and some of older workers. A way of honoring the legacy of this iconic property, with 830 years of history and 660 contiguous hectares, of which 42 are vineyards and 16 olive groves. 

 The logo, a striking element on the current labels, kept the iron of the Quinta da Lagoalva stud farm – alluding to the Marquesa de Tancos, great-aunt of the owners – as a symbol. Assuming the historical legacy, it became part of the mention ‘Circa 1193’, the date of the first registration of Quinta da Lagoalva. In terms of colors, we opted for blue and gold and, for the spelling, for a sans-serif typeface, in a combination between contemporaneity and classicism, the path chosen for this new image. Icons of this Ribatejo farmhouse, the palace façade and the clock tower will be present on all the labels of the Lagoalva, Quinta da Lagoalva and Dona Isabel Juliana ranges. 

 To materialize this new identity, which will reach the market throughout this year, Quinta da Lagoalva already has the new vintages of white, rosé and red Lagoalva on the market; Lagoalva Sauvignon Blanc; Lagoalva Reserva white and red, but also its absolute debut: the Quinta da Lagoalva Grande Reserva Fernão Pires white 2021. 

 Quinta da Lagoalva Grande Reserva Fernão Pires, from the 2021 harvest, is a muscular white, with the Fernão Pires grape variety revealing its more floral and herbaceous side – more than the usual fruitiness associated with this variety –, freshness and structure, the latter imprinted by the stage in French oak barrels. 

 At Quinta da Lagoalva, the white varieties are planted in fertile alluvial soils, capable of retaining water and imparting freshness and acidity to the grapes and, therefore, to the wines. These factors, associated with the wide temperature ranges that are felt in the Tagus Wine region, with hot days, cold nights and humid mornings, are ideal for the production of this wine. The grapes of this Fernão Pires come from an old vineyard, almost 70 years old, being harvested by hand. This is followed by the pressing of the whole bunches, carried out in a pneumatic press. After 24 hours of decantation, the must ferments at 20ºC in used barrels – 2nd, 3rd and 4th years – made of French oak with a capacity of 500 liters, with the aim of conferring complexity, but without “masking ” the fruit. Once fermentation is complete, it ages for 12 months in the same barrels, with weekly bâttonage for 2 months. With a pale yellow color, this Fernão Pires reveals a complex aroma, with the presence of white fruit, but admittedly floral notes and some herbaceous and good minerality, associated with the elegance of vanilla from the wood. In the mouth it is plump, fresh and balanced. It should be served at 12ºC with grilled meat, fish, seafood or soft cheese. For those who go to the property, the wine is also for sale at the wine tourism shop in Lagoalva. 

Casa Relvas receives licenses for the reuse of wastewater treated in vineyard irrigation 

Casa Relvas received the Secretary of State for the Environment, Hugo Pires, at the winery, as part of the ‘Pilot project for the reuse of wastewater treated in the irrigation of vineyards’, launched in 2019 with Águas de Portugal, and which has now completed its licensing process. The licenses, issued by the ARH (Administration of the Hydrographic Region) were thus handed over to António Relvas, who will accompany the delegation. 

He was in charge of a brief presentation of the company, and Nuno Franco – director of viticulture and oenology – presented data on water consumption in the vineyard, more specifically on irrigation efficiency (probes, PHB, Ceres; NDV, levels of production/segmentation of the vineyards, etc); and consumption in the cellar, and measures to reduce water consumption (PIGS, reuse of water for cooling laboratory equipment, floor washing, reduction of hose diameters, reduction of pressure in lifting pumps, and training for teams. 

«With the edaphoclimatic conditions of the Alentejo, and adding climate change, water is increasingly an essential and scarce commodity for quality agricultural production. Casa Relvas, in this context, and in the circular economy, started a project in 2019 with Águas de Portugal, in order to close the cycle, that is, to reuse the effluent produced in its winery, as well as the effluent from São Miguel de Machede, in the irrigation of its vineyards. Despite all the efforts to save water in the winery and to achieve precision viticulture, this contribution is crucial for good water management in vine cultivation, thus enabling excellent quality grapes to be obtained», reveals Nuno Franco. 

«That is why these licenses are so important, as they allow us to complete the project, starting to receive 80m3 daily in our dam, which will come to us directly from the WWTP of São Miguel de Machede». 

Traveling on the historic Douro train 

The Douro Historic Train runs on the rails again, between July and October. Traveling on the Douro Historic Train is like taking a trip back in time. On a route along the Douro River, the steam locomotive and the 5 historic carriages travel the distance from Régua to Tua, in a unique journey into the past, marked by the beauty of the landscape classified by UNESCO as World Heritage. 

 See here the Journey in the Douro and On board the Douro Historic Train – in the blog Viajar entre Viagens and also on YouTube CP some previous trips of our More information Douro Historic Train: https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/ en/how-to-travel/in-leisure/culture-nature/historic-train 

Cockburn’s honors coopers with urban art in downtown Porto  

They act ‘in the shadow’ but are unavoidable figures in the Port wine universe, repairing the casks, vats and barrels where it ages. The coopers, skillful and resistant, keep alive an art that is crucial for the production of quality Port Wines, using ancestral tools and very little modern machinery. To pay homage to this profession, forgotten by many and even unknown by most of the population, Cockburn’s teamed up with the Ruído project to develop a mural next to Garrafeira do Carmo, in downtown Porto. 

With a permanent team of seven coopers, of different ages, Cockburn’s is the only Port wine house with a cooper in its cellars. The brand also houses the largest Port wine aging warehouse in the historic area of Vila Nova de Gaia, holding 6,518 barrels of aging Port wine, in addition to the equivalent of 10,056 barrels in vats, which allow for the traditional aging in casks to be maintained. of vinaigrette oak. 

Respecting traditions, but doing justice to the art of being different – a characteristic that is part of the brand’s DNA –, Cockburn’s has been approaching a more urban public, establishing a bridge between Port wine and graffiti. In this context, the brand promotes, since 2020, the Street Art Competition, involving 10 artists who have the opportunity to develop a mural at Cockburn’s facilities, in Vila Nova de Gaia, inspired by Port wine, the Douro, or the twin cities of Vila Nova de Gaia and Porto. This year, the competition is scheduled for the 30th of September, involving the entire community, which is invited to follow the development of the murals of the artists participating in the event, with an after party. 

With this partnership with the Ruído project, which results in a new mural, this time in the heart of the city of Porto, Cockburn’s once again reinforces its connection to urban art, seeking – while valuing national talent (in this case from Porto) – to underline traditions associated with the production of Port wine. For this new project, the artists Draw (Frederico Soares Campos) and Contra (Rodrigo Guinea Gonçalves) were inspired by the team of coopers at Cockburn’s, even printing the image of some of them on the walls of Garrafeira do Carmo, complementing the mural with other elements associated with the brand. The mural, located on Travessa do Carmo, covers the entire side of Garrafeira – measuring more than 200m2 – and took seven days to develop. 

Alentejo Wine Route challenges you to discover the world of sparkling wines 

The Alentejo Wine Route (Rua 5 de Outubro, nº 88, 7000-854, Évora) has just opened enrollment for a course specializing in sparkling wines. The initiative, which reveals everything about this style of wine, will take place on the 22nd of July, between 2 pm and 6 pm, and all drink lovers and curious people are invited to dive into a tasting of seven Alentejo sparkling wines. 

 In the four hours in which the course organized by the Alentejo Regional Wine Commission (CVRA) takes place, winemaker Patrícia Peixoto will share everything about the world of sparkling wines: from the history and statistical data on world production and consumption to production processes and characteristics of the main Portuguese varieties of this drink. Registration is open until the 21st of July and can be made via rota@vinhosdoalentejo.pt. The course costs 25 euros per person and, in addition to the various tests, includes a certificate of participation. 

The Alentejo Regional Winegrowing Commission (CVRA) was created in 1989 and is responsible for the protection and defense of the Alentejo DOC and the Alentejo Geographical Indication, certification and control of origin and quality, promotion and promotion of sustainability. Assuming high standards of rigor, transparency and impartiality, CVRA is a certification body accredited by ISO/IEC 17065:2014, with its physical-chemical and sensory analysis laboratories accredited by ISO/IEC 17025:2018. It also has ISO 14001:2015 certification, due to CVRA’s strong commitment to the environment. Alentejo is the national leader in certified wines, with around 40% of the total value of sales in a universe of 14 wine regions in Portugal. With a vineyard area of 23.3 thousand hectares, 30% of its production is destined for export to five main destinations, namely Brazil, Switzerland, USA, United Kingdom and Poland. One of the only two regions in the world that has produced Talha Wine for more than two thousand years, the Alentejo still has a pioneering initiative, the ‘Sustainability Program for Wines of Alentejo’, which aims to improve the practices used in the vineyards and wineries, producing quality and economically viable grapes and wine. 

Best Tagus Wines Revealed

The big winners of the most recent Wines of the Tagus Contest were the Detail Reserva white 2021 – a debut launched this year by Adega do Cartaxo – and the Quinta de Santo André Reserva red 2019 – a classic from Coruche producer M. Veiga Teixeira. 

 Prioritizing the work of union and joint promotion of the region, carried out around the queen of the Tagus grape variety, the Regional Wine Commission of the Tagus Wines (CVR Tejo) decided, starting this year, to choose the best wines of Fernão Pires, under two seals : Best Fernão Pires in the Contest and Best Course in the Tagus Fernão Pires. The chosen whites are, like Detail, two premieres, both produced in Alpiarça by Quinta da Lagoalva: Quinta da Lagoalva Grande Reserva Fernão Pires 2021 (also Gold medal winner) and Campo do Tejo Fernão Pires by Quinta da Lagoalva 2022 , respectively. This producer also stood out with the Best White of the Harvest 2022, awarded to Lagoalva Reserva Arinto & Chardonnay (also Grand Gold medal winner), with the Best Rosé of this vintage being Quinta do Casal Monteiro (also Gold medal winner) from the producer of the same name. Still with regard to the 13th edition of this competition, 220 wines were tasted by 39 judges – these being the highest numbers ever – and the two aforementioned medals of Excellence were awarded, 9 Grand Gold, 36 Gold and 24 Silver. . 

 People and other companies also received awards: David Ferreira, from Companhia das Lezírias, was Winemaker of the Year. The Career Prize was awarded to Teresa Schönborn, from Casa Cadaval, and José Lobo de Vasconcelos, from Casal Branco. Adega do Cartaxo was elected as a Company of Excellence and Fiuza Wines as a Company of Dynamism. 

 Promoted by the Rota dos Vinhos do Tejo, with the aim of rewarding dynamism with regard to the territory – apart from wine and gastronomy, with its own prizes – there is, more recently, the Tejo Anima competition. In this year’s edition, there were nominees in three categories, having been distinguished: Casa Brava, in Santarém, as Accommodation; SóRio, in Valada, Cartaxo, in terms of Tourist Entertainment; and the Festa dos Tabuleiros, in Tomar, as a grandiose and highly regarded event promoting the region’s Traditions. 

 It was also time to reward those who stood out the most in the 2nd Wines of the Tagus Photography Contest, which this year received 32 entries. The first three prizes were awarded, in that order, to journalist and instagrammer Kitato, Luís Miguel Machado and Carlos Venceslau, curiously from Esposende, Leiria and Batalha. 

 The Tagus Wines Gala is an event organized by the Tejo Regional Wine Commission, in partnership with the Confraria Enófila de Nossa Senhora do Tejo, which is in charge of its production, and in this edition, it had the sponsorship and support of entities such as CA Seguros, Verallia, Amorim Cork, Agroeno, Borrego – Leonor & Irmão, OPAL, Travel Care, Gifts4Wine, Martin Vialatte, AZ3 Oeno, Cork Supply and SAI Oenological Sensitivity. 

Photography: Gonçalo Villaverde 

La Vie en Rose: Mind The Glass dedicates a fortnight to rosé wines 

To celebrate summer, Mind The Glass will dedicate the fortnight between July 3rd and 15th to rosé wines. For this, the sommelier João Lourenço designed a special menu dedicated to this style of wine, which includes still wines, sparkling wines and champagnes from current and old vintages, also in large format – magnum bottles. Consult the Special Letter of Rosés here: https://menus.mindtheglass.pt/ 

 Mind The Glass is a Wine / Bistrot / Shop / Bar, which opened in February 2022, in the center of Porto, with a distinct and multidisciplinary concept guided by Chef consultant Henrique Ferreira (Resident Chef of the 19|90 Premium Wines restaurants) , which includes a wine cellar and a bar – Wine & Cocktail Bar. A modern, relaxed and comfortable space, where the most demanding appreciators and lovers of wine, craft beer and spirits/cocktails can taste a wide range (more than 600 wines by the glass), with the guarantee of quality of service and professional advice from the sommelier of the house, João Lourenço. An unmissable place to visit for Urban Wine Tourism.