Summer, wine and creativity toast together at ODE Market Summer 2025

ODE Winery invites you to toast summer with a day full of art, wine, music and fun at ODE Market Summer 2025, this Sunday 29 June in Vila Chã de Ourique.
Next Sunday, 29 June, from 11am to 8pm, ODE Winery in Vila Chã de Ourique will open its doors for ODE Market Summer 2025, an event that celebrates summer with a day full of culture, wine and entertainment for the whole family.
The market will feature dozens of art, craft, fashion and design exhibitors, as well as guided tours of the winery, wine workshops with oenologist Maria Vicente, and activities for children.
The party will be accompanied by ODE wines at special prices, lunch at the ODE Cellar Door and the live sound of the band Três Bairros, with warm, festive rhythms perfect for dancing or relaxing.
Admission is free. An invitation to celebrate summer with wine in hand and good humour in your heart.

Yantai hosts World Summit on Responsible Wine Tourism in 2025 

Chinese city prepares to welcome global leaders and establish itself as a benchmark in sustainable wine tourism, with Portuguese presence assured
The coastal city of Yantai in China will host the 2nd OMET World Summit on Responsible Wine Tourism, one of the most important international meetings in the sector, which will take place from 2 to 5 July 2025. Organised by GWTO / OMET (Global Wine Tourism Organisation), the event will bring together experts, academics, tour operators, producers and government representatives from more than 20 countries, with the aim of promoting sustainable practices in wine tourism and strengthening global cooperation networks.

Portugal will be represented at this summit by three leading figures in the sector. Producer Luísa Rebelo, from Torre de Palma (Alentejo), will take part in a panel dedicated to wine tourism experiences and will present success stories in responsible wine tourism, in dialogue with wineries from other parts of the world. António Lacerda, from the Alentejo Regional Tourism Promotion Agency, will be on the panel of international destinations, contributing his perspective on a region that is increasingly recognised on the global wine tourism map. Maria João de Almeida, president of the Portuguese Wine Tourism Association (APENO), will take part in the international associations panel, promoting the much-needed international dialogues that foster networking and cooperation between countries.
‘These meetings are essential for strengthening Portugal’s visibility as a wine tourism destination, but also for learning from other countries and aligning global sustainability strategies,’ says Maria João de Almeida, adding: ‘Responsible wine tourism is a priority and requires collaborative work, sharing good practices and a vision of the future.’

José Antonio Vidal, president of the World Wine Tourism Organisation (GWTO OMET), said: ‘This major world conference represents a strategic milestone for strengthening global policies for responsible wine tourism, promoting the exchange of good practices between destinations, producers and institutions that share the same values of sustainability, inclusion and excellence.’
With a Gross Domestic Product of over one trillion yuan, Yantai is recognised not only for its economic strength, but also for its commitment to quality of life and sustainability. The city was honoured by the United Nations with the International Liveable Communities Award and is one of China’s first Tourist Cities of Excellence. During the summit, Yantai will be officially certified as a responsible, sustainable and enriching wine tourism destination.
Known as China’s cognac capital and holder of the title of Asia’s only “International City of Vine and Wine”, Yantai has established itself as an increasingly important destination for international wine tourists. Its privileged location by the sea and its wine-growing resources give it its own identity that combines tradition, innovation and hospitality.

The summit programme will include an exhibition area open to the public, workshops and round tables for professionals in the sector, academic conferences and gastronomic experiences highlighting Lu’s regional cuisine. Alongside the technical and training component, the event aims to create networking opportunities between the main players in the wine, tourism and food sectors.
For the organisers, the summit goes beyond a professional meeting. ‘Yantai invites the world to get to know this coastal city in the East and explore the infinite possibilities of wine tourism.’ For its part, China’s ambition is clear: to position Yantai as a new world centre of reference in responsible wine tourism and to show that Asia also has a role to play in shaping the future of this growing segment.
Holding this event in China emphasises the global nature of wine tourism and the growing importance of sustainability in tourism development strategies. The GWTO / OMET World Summit on Responsible Wine Tourism 2025 thus represents a unique opportunity to reflect on the challenges facing the sector, create synergies and strengthen international cooperation around more conscious and lasting tourism – with Portugal once again playing an active role in these discussions.

Chocapalha bets on Castelão with new 2022 vintage

Quinta de Chocapalha, in Alenquer, has launched Castelão 2022, a single vineyard red produced from 2.55 hectares of vines planted in 1989. Originating in clay-limestone soils and exposed to the west, the wine expresses the grape variety’s elegant and fresh profile, with notes of raspberry, graphite and spices.
Signed by Sandra Tavares da Silva, the wine reveals forest fruits on tasting, balanced acidity and a long finish. According to the winemaker, this is a ‘captivating and versatile Castelão’, which reinforces the family’s commitment to indigenous grape varieties and the Alenquer terroir.

Wine & Soul launches Manoella Branco 2024

Directly from the historic Quinta da Manoella, in the heart of the Pinhão valley, Wine & Soul has just launched Manoella Branco 2024, a wine that accurately expresses the freshness and identity of the white Douro. Signed by winemakers Sandra Tavares da Silva and Jorge Serôdio Borges, this new vintage is the result of a rare terroir: a 58-year-old plot, situated at an altitude of 600 metres, facing north and based on granite soil – ideal conditions for producing vibrant and elegant whites.
The grapes – Gouveio, Viosinho, Rabigato and Códega do Larinho – were harvested on 28 August 2024, in ideal climatic conditions. After gentle pressing, fermentation took place in stainless steel and cement ovens at controlled temperatures for eight weeks. This was followed by a seven-month ageing period on fine lees, giving the wine complexity and texture.
The result is a wine with an intense, bright colour and delicate aromas of spring flowers and fresh lime. On the palate, it is round, with good volume, balanced acidity and a purity of flavour that makes it highly gastronomic.

Cockburn’s reopens patio in Gaia with new summer menu and signature cocktails

Summer has arrived, and with it the reopening of one of Vila Nova de Gaia’s most charming spaces: the patio of Cockburn’s Cellars. Located inside the city’s largest Port wine ageing warehouse – with more than 4,250 casks resting under its century-old roof – this open-air patio is once again welcoming visitors with a new menu of cocktails and snacks, designed to make the most of the longer days with flavour and relaxation.
Open every day between 10am and 7pm, the patio now offers a summer gastronomic menu that harmonises perfectly with the house’s new cocktails. Among the appetisers on offer are the Bísaro Pork Assortment, cheese and jam platter, olive oil tasting with bread and various pâté options – tuna, cod or vegan. There are also lighter suggestions, such as chips and a bowl of almonds, and delicious desserts such as ice cream made with Cockburn’s Special Reserve or the classic pastel de nata.

In the drinks section, the highlight is the signature cocktails created from Cockburn’s Tails of the Unexpected range. Among the novelties are the Port & Lemon with Ruby Soho, the Port & Ginger with Tawny Eyes, and the refreshing Port Sunset and Port & Tonic, both with White Heights. Each cocktail adds to the already vast selection of Port wines served by the glass.
Owned by the Symington family, Cockburn’s continues the tradition of hospitality, offering not only moments of socialising in the open air, but also guided tours of the historic warehouse, with tastings included, where you can get to know the world of Port wine in detail.

Quinta de la Rosa announces new exclusive dinners with world-renowned chefs

Four Hands Dinners once again bring together great names in national and international cuisine in a setting by the Douro.
Quinta de la Rosa, in the heart of the Douro, is preparing to continue the success of its exclusive gastronomic dinners, which in 2024 won the attention of oenophiles and lovers of haute cuisine from all over the world. The formula remains the same: four-course dinners, an intimate atmosphere and the unique surroundings of the banks of the Douro, with the kitchen of the Cozinha da Clara restaurant as the stage.
After a year marked by the presence of internationally renowned chefs such as Chris and Jeff Galvin (La Chapelle, London), Rick Stein, Mark Hix and Mitch Tonks – key figures on the British gastronomic scene – 2025 promises to raise the bar even higher for this wine and gastronomic experience. Resident chef Pedro Cardoso will once again be sharing the kitchen with top national and international guests, in an exclusive programme for just 50 participants per edition.
The next dinner will take place on 21 June, with chef Duarte Eira, from the Salpoente restaurant in Aveiro. This is a long-awaited repeat, following the success of their collaboration last January. On the 25th of October, the Cozinha da Clara restaurant will host the American Jaime Knott, chef and owner of the Saddle Inn, 335 and Madame restaurants in Jersey City, New Jersey. Jaime visited Quinta de la Rosa at the beginning of the year.

Jaime visited Quinta de la Rosa last winter and was impressed by the view and the cuisine, and immediately expressed his desire to return to cook alongside Pedro Cardoso.
The month of November will be particularly special. On the 12th and 13th, two names from the contemporary British scene will be joining chef Pedro: Ollie Dabbous, who worked at the Michelin-starred Hide restaurant in London, and Matt Tabbert, known for his work on British television, particularly on the Saturday Kitchen programme. On 26 and 27 November, friends of the house Mark Hix and Mitch Tonks – the duo behind the TONNIX wines developed in partnership with Quinta de la Rosa – will return to round off the calendar with two more memorable dinners.
In addition to the dinners, the programme includes a visit and tasting with the owners, Sophia Bergqvist and her son Kit Weaver, who accompany guests on a journey through the wines of Quinta de la Rosa and Quinta da Passagem, carefully paired with the dishes served. The panoramic kitchen has been highlighted by all the chefs as one of the most beautiful they have ever worked in, reinforcing the special character of each dinner.

With this initiative, Quinta de la Rosa reinforces its commitment to promoting the Douro as a destination of excellence in wine tourism and gastronomy, opening its doors to prestigious chefs who find here not only a stunning setting, but also a real home to create, experiment and share. For more information and bookings:
www.quintadelarosa.com | cozinhadaclara@quintadelarosa.com | +351 254 732 254

The festival ended with a panel on public health and soil, where Ana Luís, a doctor from the IPO, was blunt: ‘Human health begins with soil health.’ An idea reinforced by Paulo Coutinho, a producer in the Douro: ‘We are what we eat, but we are also what we drink.’

The 2025 edition of the Regenerative Wine Fest has established itself as a space for mobilising for a new agricultural paradigm. The next edition already has a date: 16 May 2026, again at Herdade das Servas.

Vila Galé Collection Praia among the 10% best hotels in the world, according to Tripadvisor

The Vila Galé Collection Praia hotel, located in Albufeira, was awarded the prestigious Travellers’ Choice prize by Tripadvisor. The Algarve hotel is now part of the group of the 10 per cent best hotels in the world, based on the evaluations and ratings of the platform’s users over the last year.

The distinction results from the analysis of thousands of comments and scores left by travellers from all over the world, reflecting not only the consistent quality of the service provided, but also the commitment of the hotel’s team to providing memorable experiences for its guests.

‘This recognition reinforces the reputation of the Vila Galé group on the international scene and values the daily work of our teams, who are dedicated to exceeding the expectations of those who visit us,’ the group said in a statement.

Vila Galé Collection Praia is an adults-only hotel located just a few metres from Galé beach. Designed for moments of tranquillity and well-being, the hotel offers a sophisticated and cosy atmosphere and is part of the Vila Galé portfolio, one of the largest hotel chains in Portugal.

With this award, the Vila Galé group has reinforced its presence among the benchmark destinations in the national and international hotel sector.

‘Merenda na Vinha’ returns to Quinta do Bomfim

The Merenda na Vinha experience is back at Quinta do Bomfim in Pinhão, owned by the Symington family. Set in the Douro landscape, this proposal celebrates the flavours of the region in an open-air picnic, served on the estate’s garden terraces with a privileged view of the Douro River.
With recipes prepared on the estate itself using local ingredients, the programme invites visitors to enjoy a relaxed meal in one of the most emblematic settings of Portuguese viticulture. The menu includes a selection of traditional snacks, accompanied by house wines, in a carefully prepared setting with blankets, parasols and puffs distributed among the vineyards.
Quinta do Bomfim, renowned for the production of Port and Douro wines and for its connection to the region’s winemaking history, is celebrating the tenth anniversary of its visitor centre, which opened in May 2014. The date will be marked by reinforcing the wine tourism experiences that have distinguished the property both nationally and internationally.
Among the most recent recognitions is the distinction as “Global Winner 2024” and “Best Architecture & Landscape 2024” in the “Best of Wine Tourism” awards, as well as inclusion in 28th place on the “World’s Best Vineyards 2024” list.

Wine starts in the soil: Portugal accelerates transition to regenerative agriculture

The second edition of the Regenerative Wine Fest brought together producers, experts and consumers at Herdade das Servas in Estremoz to debate the future of regenerative viticulture.
Regenerative agriculture is gaining momentum in Portugal, and the wine sector is at the forefront of this transition. Last Saturday, 14 producers who already apply regenerative practices in their vineyards met at Herdade das Servas, in the Alentejo, for the second edition of the Regenerative Wine Fest – an event that promotes the soil as the starting point for a more sustainable and healthy wine.

The meeting, moderated by actress Joana Seixas, brought together voices from various regions and sectors. Francisco Alves, from Herdade de São Luís, warned of the urgent need to preserve the Alentejo cork oak forest: “We lose 7,000 hectares a year. The Iberian Peninsula has the largest cork oak forest in the world, and everyone wants to learn how to graze like we do.”

Marta Cortegano, who leads a syntropic agriculture project in Mértola, advocated the creation of sharing networks between farmers and other agents: ‘Regeneration is gaining traction, but financial support and training are essential to ensure change.’

In the panel on communication, Luís Constantino, from Herdade dos Grous, emphasised the importance of showing the real impact of these practices on the ground: “The doors have to be open. Seeing is understanding.”

The festival ended with a panel on public health and soil, where Ana Luís, a doctor from the IPO, was blunt: ‘Human health begins with soil health.’ An idea reinforced by Paulo Coutinho, a producer in the Douro: ‘We are what we eat, but we are also what we drink.’

The 2025 edition of the Regenerative Wine Fest has established itself as a space for mobilising for a new agricultural paradigm. The next edition already has a date: 16 May 2026, again at Herdade das Servas.

New Vila Galé in Ponte de Lima brings together vinho verde, history and rural luxury

Since 19 May 2025, Ponte de Lima has been home to a new Portuguese wine tourism destination. This is the Vila Galé Collection Ponte de Lima Vineyards Historic Country Resort Hotel, Conference & Spa, a four-star hotel that was born out of the restoration of the centuries-old Paço do Curutelo. This new venture by the Vila Galé group aims to establish itself as a destination of excellence for those looking to combine the comfort of rural tourism with authentic wine experiences.
Located in the district of Viana do Castelo, the hotel has 69 rooms, spread over several wings of the historic building, and a wide range of facilities: outdoor swimming pools, gardens, a library, a restaurant serving regional cuisine, a playground and a children’s club, among other services.
However, the hotel’s biggest difference lies in its strong wine vocation. The hotel has its own winery, surrounded by vineyards dedicated to the production of vinho verde, offering guided tours, commented tastings and a shop where visitors can buy the wines produced on site. The experience is enriched with a Lagares Room and a museum space that celebrates the agricultural and winemaking traditions of the Minho region.
The project also includes accessibility for people with reduced mobility, charging stations for electric vehicles, free Wi-Fi and the well-known Satsanga Spa, the group’s trademark, which ensures moments of relaxation and well-being.
From May, the Vila Galé Collection Ponte de Lima is an invitation to discover the best that the north of Portugal has to offer, among bucolic landscapes, living history and the unmistakable freshness of Vinho Verde wines.