NATIONAL WINE TOURISM AWARDS ONCE AGAIN RECOGNISE THE BEST IN THE SECTOR
30/05/2026Bigger, more representative and more established than ever. This was the atmosphere surrounding another edition of the National Wine Tourism Awards, organised by APENO – the Portuguese Association of Wine Tourism, which once again brought together the leading figures of the sector in a ceremony marked by recognition and the celebration of Portuguese wine tourism.The APENO gala, supported by the Lisbon Tourism Board and Loures City Council, and held under the High Patronage of the Presidency of the Republic, took place at Quinta Condes de Valadares, in Loures — a historic venue that provided the ideal setting for an elegant yet relaxed evening. The event also reinforced the positioning of the municipality and the Lisbon region as increasingly relevant destinations for Portuguese wine tourism.
Hosted by Rodrigo Gomes from RFM, the event once again brought together producers, professionals, institutions, brands and partners in an atmosphere of strong collaboration and shared purpose, highlighting the growing importance of wine tourism in promoting territories, culture, gastronomy and Portuguese wine.
This year’s edition recognised projects and professionals across 16 categories, reflecting the diversity, innovation and quality that currently define the sector in Portugal. Among the winners were projects from different regions of the country, demonstrating the ability of Portuguese wine tourism to deliver unique and distinctive experiences.
List of Winners:
Best Wine Tourism Destination in Portugal: Azores Wine Company;
Best Urban Wine Tourism Project: Madeira Wine Company;
Best Family Project: Quinta do Pôpa;
Best Professional: Vera Magalhães – João Portugal Ramos;
Best Accommodation: Herdade do Sobroso;
Best Restaurant: JNcQUOI;
Best Chef: Cintia Koerper and Joachim Koerper – Herdade da Malhadinha Nova;
Best Sommelier: Sandra Reis – Sala de Prova;
Best Tasting Room: Symington – Graham’s Vintage Room;
Best Tourism Company: Vila Galé;
Best Inclusive Project: AdegaMãe;
Best Sustainable Project: Casa do JOA;
Best Wine Shop: Casa Ermelinda Freitas;
Best Art and Culture Project: Bacalhôa – Aliança Underground Museum;
Best Innovation and Technology Project: Casa Museu Interativa de Borba;
Best Hospitality: Torre de Palma.
In addition to these distinctions, APENO once again presented the Merit and Incentive Awards, recognising personalities and projects that have made significant contributions to the development of Portuguese wine tourism. The Merit and Incentive – Individual Award was presented to Helena Dimas, from ODE Winery, while the Merit and Incentive – Project Award recognised Honrado Vineyards.
The judging panel included journalists specialising in wine, gastronomy and tourism, chefs, sommeliers, industry professionals, official entities and APENO members, in a process that once again reflected the diversity and representativeness of the sector.
“The National Wine Tourism Awards have become a moment of connection between professionals, projects and regions. APENO is proud to organise this benchmark event, which recognises the work of a sector that is strategic both for regional development and for promoting Portugal internationally,” says Maria João de Almeida, President of the Portuguese Association of Wine Tourism (APENO).
She further highlights that “the growing quality of the candidate projects and the increasing involvement of the sector demonstrate the maturity and innovative capacity of Portuguese wine tourism. It is extremely rewarding to see different regions represented and to witness the sector continuing to evolve consistently.”
The gala was also supported by several entities linked to the wine, tourism and hospitality sectors, including Gifts4Wine, Âncora Gold, Amorim, Grupo Stosberg, Abreu Advogados, Biosphere and Viagens Abreu, with media partners WineTourismTV and SAPO Portal.