Quinta do Portal: Doorway to the Douro Valley

Let us imagine discovering a doorway to a very special wine region, the Douro Valley. The Douro Valley, Portugal is a must for wine lovers, especially if the wine lover appreciates learning more about port. Most visitors to Portugal are likely to visit the port lodges in Porto (Oporto). Spaswinefood's recommendation is start first in the Douro Valley. We have all experienced going to a large winery and having a programed tasting. While this can happen in the Douro Valley if you select a quinta, such Quinta do Portal it will not. You will get quality time. In fact if you stay at the quinta you can arrange to spend some time with the winemaker.

Quinta do Portal © Spaswinefood

Quinta do Portal © Spaswinefood

Traveling to the Douro Valley from Oporto

We arrived in Porto (Oporto) after a long journey from California. Even though we did not take a direct flight all went well. Picking up our rented car at the airport we could not get a GPS. We asked for directions from the guy checking our car out he said he did not know. Fortunately, we had a map of Portugal and I had my iPhone. Yes, I used the iPhone without signing up for an international data plan. Even though we did not know the area we arrived in the Douro Valley within three hours. Next day I received a number of alerts from AT&T about extremely high data use (both text and emails). Needless to say I called them.

View from Quinta do Seixo © Spaswinefood

Off to see Douro Valley quintas

The quintas (or vineyards) where the grapes are grown are where some visitors chose to stay. This was also our choice. Thanks to a tip from a fellow wine lover we discovered Quinta do Portal. The winemaker at Quinta do Portal provided me with some information. After a quick look at the link it was the obvious choice (see Great Western Wine, MartaVine and Roy Herst articles). We were not disappointed. Quinta do Portal is the perfect doorway to the Douro Valley.

During our stay at Quinta do Portal we ate in their gourmet restaurant and sampled many of their great wines. Spaswinefood will do future posts on dining at Quinta do Portal. The restaurant offers wonderful gourmet cuisine paired with wines.

Dining at Quinta do Portal© Spaswinefood

Dining at Quinta do Portal © Spaswinefood

Dining at Quinta do Portal © Spaswinefood

During our stay we got to interact with the Paulo Coutinho, winemaker at Quinta do Portal. We dined with him on one occasion, plus he gave us a tour of the winery and an extensive wine tasting. In future posts Spaswinefood will review the wines we tasted.

Paulo Coutinho, winemaker at Quinta do Portal © Spaswinefood

While we missed the grape harvest we got to see where the grapes can be stomped. These days grape pressing is done by sophisticated equipment, still it is fun to romanticize about it.

Area for grape stomping at Quinta do Portal © Spaswinefood

Using Quinta do Portal as a base we explored several other quintas in the area. The staff was very helpful in giving us recommendations.

Quinta do Portal © Spaswinefood

All too some it was time to leave the Douro Valley to check out port lodges in Porto. While Spaswinefood was excited about this idea we were a little sad to be leaving the Douro Valley after three days. We need to return to the Douro Valley soon to explore more and taste more wine.  After this wonderful introduction Spaswinefood is so looking forward to tasting and learning about all things port.

Sharon

October 2012

Porto, Portugal

© Spaswinefood

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