Wines & Views From High Above The Douro

If ever a drink was synonymous with a country it’s port – the fortified wine from Portugal’s Douro Valley. Surprisingly, this historic winemaking region is experiencing a revival, but not for port. This new attention is for the high-quality, mostly red wines being produced by a handful of Douro wine estates. Grapes for both port and these new wines are grown in the upper reaches of the Douro River Valley. Winding its way through this verdant narrow valley is a river lined with steep sloping hills and stunning terraced vineyards. The first wine producing estates in the Douro used rabelo boats to transport their wine barrels down to Vila Nova de Gaia in the city of Porto, and today you’ll get to retrace a portion of that journey.

The Quinta Nova estate is an eighteenth-century traditional winery and manor house that was renovated to become Portugal's first winery hotel. It is owned by the Amorim Family who is the world leader in cork production. Their dry and port wines are considered some of the best in the region. Your guided tour of the estate will include the vineyards, the Wine Museum Center, the barrel room and the underground cellar where the best lots selected and aged. The estate grounds include a terrace and pool with breathtaking views of the valley. You will taste a selection of their Grande Reserve dry wines and Vintage Port, then enjoy a wine-paired lunch served on the terrace, weather permitting.

After lunch, the group will transfer back down to the Ferrao station to catch a train that will take you a short distance along the riverfront to Pinhão where you'll meet the Queen Isabel and rejoin the cruise.
When Queen Isabel docks in Peso da Règua, you will disembark and take a fifteen minute transfer by bus from Règua to Folgosa. Once at the Folgosa dock, you will board a traditional rabelo boat and take a scenic 30 minute cruise upriver accompanied by a local guide. Your destination is Ferrao's quay, nestled against the steep hills leading up to some of the region's top wineries. Here you will take a short transfer up the hill to the renowned Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo.

Registration Form

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Per Person Price: $325

Tour Includes: English-speaking guide, transportation, all tour and tasting fees, estate tour, wine tasting, lunch served with wine and all local taxes

Not Included: Gratuities for guide and driver, and all items of a personal nature.

Activity Level: Moderate, with some walking in vineyards, over uneven surfaces, and climbing in and out of the rabelo boat. Tour is not recommended for those with mobility issues and is not wheelchair accessible.

Note: Tour times and providers are subject to change due to inclement weather conditions

Travel Insurance: F&WT highly encourages protecting your travel investment in case of an emergency requiring you to cancel your trip. Your F&WT's Travel Advisor can assist you with procuring the appropriate coverage. Please make sure to read the cancellation policy on the registration form outlining our cancellation policy.