Loures will host the National Wine Tourism Awards gala on 29 May

18/03/2026Quinta Condes de Valadares will host the gala ceremony honouring the best wine tourism projects and professionals in Portugal. The event will bring together business leaders, institutional bodies and industry experts for an evening dedicated to recognising the work and quality of the initiatives that have helped to establish Portuguese wine tourism on the national and international stage.

On 29 May, from 6 pm, Quinta Condes de Valadares in Loures will host the 2026 National Wine Tourism Awards Gala. Organised by APENO – the Portuguese Wine Tourism Association, with the support of Turismo de Lisboa and Loures Municipal Council, the initiative annually recognises the best projects, companies and professionals who excel in the wine tourism sector in Portugal. The event also has the support of Gifts4Wine, Âncora Gold, Amorim, Grupo Stosberg (Alug’Aqui and Schott Zwiesel), Abreu Advogados, Biosphere and Viagens Abreu, with the SAPO portal and WineTourismTV as media partners.

Following several editions held in different regions of the country, the National Wine Tourism Award now comes to the municipality of Loures, reinforcing APENO’s mission to promote and raise the profile of the various regions with potential for wine tourism. The ceremony will take place at Quinta Condes de Valadares, a historic venue that is establishing itself as a new setting for the sector’s flagship event.

According to Maria João de Almeida, president of APENO, ‘Wine tourism now plays a central role in promoting regions, boosting local economies and creating experiences that link wine to culture, gastronomy and people. It is therefore with great pleasure that we are holding this edition of the National Wine Tourism Awards in Loures, Lisbon, a region that already produces high-quality wines and still has enormous potential to develop its wine tourism sector.” She adds that “this gala is the time of year when we showcase the talent, value and dedication of all the professionals who contribute daily to ensuring that Portugal is increasingly recognised as a destination of excellence in wine tourism”.

Carla Salsinha, President of the Lisbon Region Tourism Board, also highlights the importance of initiatives of this nature for promoting the region: “Initiatives such as the 2026 National Wine Tourism Awards Gala are fundamental to showcasing the full potential of the Lisbon Region, both in rural and urban wine tourism, enabling us to highlight the wines, culture and unique experiences the region has to offer.” She also emphasises that “wine tourism is now a strategic segment for national and regional tourism, and Lisbon is increasingly keen to surprise those who visit us”.

Known for its strong historical ties to agriculture and wine production, “the municipality of Loures aims to establish itself as a destination of growing importance within the Lisbon region’s wine tourism landscape. Its proximity to the capital, combined with rural landscapes, historical heritage and a cuisine with a strong identity, makes it a destination with enormous potential for experiences linked to wine and the local area”, “Loures Municipal Council is proud to be a partner of the Portuguese Wine Tourism Association’s gala, hosting this landmark event in a region where the authenticity of wine tourism is revealed, with particular emphasis on Bucelas, a wine-growing gem just a few minutes from Lisbon, the birthplace of excellent Arinto wines, which establish Loures as a distinctive and exciting destination,” adds Ricardo Leão, Mayor of Loures.

It is against this backdrop that Quinta Condes de Valadares will host the National Wine Tourism Awards gala. The event will begin with a welcome drink featuring producers from Loures, who will showcase the region’s wines and other products, offering guests an initial taste of the area’s wine and culinary heritage.

The 2026 edition of the National Wine Tourism Awards recognises projects and professionals across 16 categories, including a new award dedicated to promoting family-run businesses in the sector. The categories in the competition are: Best Wine Tourism in Portugal, Best Urban Wine Tourism, Best Family Project, Best Professional, Best Accommodation, Best Restaurant, Best Head Chef, Best Sommelier, Best Tasting Room, Best Tourism Company, Best Inclusive Project, Best Sustainable Project, Best Shop, Best Art and Culture, Best Innovation and Technology, and Best Hospitality.

Voting is carried out by a panel of judges comprising specialist journalists, representatives from wine and tourism institutions, chefs, sommeliers and APENO members, ensuring diversity, independence and rigour in the evaluation process.

Founded in 2021, APENO is the only association in the country dedicated exclusively to wine tourism. Its mission is to organise, promote and develop the wine tourism sector in Portugal, contributing to its economic, tourist and cultural development. It currently brings together producers, tour operators, wine tourism establishments, wine restaurants and other organisations linked to the sector.