After leaving Santiago de Compostela, Galicia we headed south, arriving in Portugal's Douro Valley around three hours later. It was not long before we were taking in those amazing Douro Valley vineyard views along the river. The Douro just keeps calling me back.
Every time I visit the Douro Valley I am immediately struck by its stunning beauty. Terraced vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see, along the Douro River and its tributaries. That May day we so enjoyed the views as we descended into Pinhão.
We decided to stop and have a picnic lunch before checking into our hotel.
 |
| A Douro Day, July 2016 © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Hello Douro, Right Pose, July 2016 © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Hello Douro, Left Pose, July 2016 © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Swimmers, Douro Valley 2016 © Spaswinefood |
Quinta do Portal
It was great to return to Quinta do Portal where I first visited in October 2012.
I still remember that earlier fall visit in 2012.
It was October, just after the harvest, when we visited Quinta do Portal, a boutique winery in the Douro Valley. It was so much fun to stay at a quinta (or vineyard) where the grapes are grown and the wine is produced. In fact staying at a Douro Valley quinta was the perfect place for this Spaswinefood enthusiast. Quinta do Portal offers great accommodations (Casa das Pipas) and there is a gourmet restaurant right on the property. Moreover, little did we know when we booked Quinta do Portal that we would get to spend quality time with winemaker, Paulo Coutinho.
 |
| Quinta do Portal's Casa das Pipas, 2012 © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Quinta do Portal Vineyards, October 2012 © Spaswinefood |
Spring time meant the grapes were just starting to bud.
Spring Time Vines, Quinta do Portal © Spaswinefood
Besides observing the vineyard we loved taking in the views.
We took advantage of posing in the vineyard.
Carol, Quinta do Portal © Spaswinefood
We so enjoyed those vineyard walks. Some how we managed to have two dinners at the restaurant during our stay.
We had the most fabulous breakfasts, toured the winery, and of course dined at the restaurant.
Yes, we toured the winery to find out what the latest wine suggestions were.
Quinta do Portal, Douro Valley © Spaswinefood
We so enjoyed our stay at Quinta do Portal.
Quinta Manhas Douro
Before leaving the Douro we would also spend a short stay at Quinta Manhas Douro.
Quinta Manhas Douro © Spaswinefood
A Few More Highlights
During our recent Douro Valley stay we ventured out and explored along the wine route.
Rota do Vinho do Porto, Douro Valley © Spaswinefood
One of those drives took us to Quinta do Pôpa.
Quinta do Popa
Over the years I have interacted with Stéphane Ferreira whose family owns Quinta do Pôpa. We were blown away by the views at Quinta do Pôpa. I am so happy that I finally got to visit.
For sure after driving up we relaxed and took our time before venturing back down.
Carol, Quinta do Pôpa © Spaswinefood
After taking in the sights at the top, off we went to the tasting room
Quinta do Pôpa © Spaswinefood
During our visit we were introduced to four of their wines while enjoying a charcuterie platter.
One never tires of the view here.
Those Douro Valley Views © Spaswinefood
YES, we checked the road below, below heading back down.
I still remember earlier introductions to Quinta do Pôpa wines, such as:
We were among the wine enthusiasts who attended the Annual Grand Tasting of Wines of Portugal in San Francisco. We tasted wines from a family winery, Quinta do Pôpa. While the Douro Valley is know for its port Quinta do Pôpa chooses instead to produce quality red, white and rosé wines from the grapes grown in their vineyard.
 |
| Stephané Ferreira, Quinta do Pôpa © Spaswinefood |
We were happy to meet Stephané Ferreira from Quinta do Pôpa. While we had meet Stephané Ferreira before, it was time to take a closer look at Quinta do Pôpa wines. The vinification of Quinta do Pôpa wines is under the direction of the well known oenologist Luís Pato. Quinta do Pôpa offers five tiers of wines (Pôpa, Pôpa Doce, TRePA/PAPO, Preffácio and Contos da Terra. Now for an introduction to the Quinta do Pôpa wines that we tasted at the San Francisco tasting. Three of the wines were Pôpa wines, the top tier.
 |
| Quinta do Pôpa, Pôpa TN, TR and VV 2009 Wines © Spaswinefood |
Quinta do Pôpa wines well represented the theme for this year's Annual Grand Tasting event. Quinta do Pôpa's passion for making great Douro Valley wine definitely shows. It was a great day for Portuguese wine discoveries.Quinta do Pôpa wines are available in the US from NLS Wines. (Spaswinefood, May 2014)
 |
| Wines of Portugal Making History, 2014 © Spaswinefood |
Cozinha da Clara Restaurant
Our spring time travels took us to Cozinha da Clara Restaurant.
Cozinha da Clara Restaurant, Douro Valley © Spaswinefood
It was here we had the most fabulous lunch with a wine flight of course.
Dining at Cozinha da Clara Restaurant was such a treat.
Special thanks to Carol for her driving skills!
#spaswinefood travels in Portugal 
No comments:
Post a Comment