Ventozelo Hotel & Quinta invites you to celebrate the New Year with Douro flavors and traditions

Quinta de Ventozelo, one of the oldest and most charming properties in the Douro, is preparing a New Year’s Eve full of authenticity, combining tradition, gastronomy and wine. With 400 hectares of unique landscape, 200 of which are vineyards, the estate celebrates more than 500 years of history and a dedication to the art of hospitality, offering experiences that value the essence of the region.

The special program begins with the lighting of the wood and a warm infusion of herbs from the ‘Garden of Aromas’, followed by dinner at the Cantina de Ventozelo restaurant, led by chef José Guedes. The menu celebrates the flavours of the Douro with delicacies such as Covilhetes de Javali, Consomé de caça, Truta de Boticas and Vitela mirandesa, paired with Douro and Port wines from Quinta de Ventozelo.

At midnight, fireworks will mark the beginning of 2025, with entertainment in the lagares until 3am and an open bar. To prolong the celebration, Preguinhos and Caldo Verde will be served in the early hours of the year. Those who choose to stay overnight can start the day with a late breakfast, breathtaking views of the Douro terraces and a New Year’s Walk around the property.

A celebration that promises to be a true tribute to the knowledge and flavors of the Douro, perfect for welcoming the new year with authenticity and elegance.

The Perfect Gift is at JNcQUOI

This year, JNcQUOI, the lifestyle brand of the Amorim Luxury group, is presenting an exclusive selection of suggestions for Christmas, combining unforgettable experiences and gourmet hampers carefully prepared to celebrate the festive season. Among the novelties are the experiences at the JNcQUOI Deli Suite Comporta, located in the heart of Carvalhal. Designed by architect JPDemeyer&Co, this suite offers the perfect setting for discovering the stunning Alentejo coastline, with a two-night stay for two people, including breakfast (€1,980 in high season and €1,080 in low season).

For those who prefer a gastronomic journey, the Culinary Journey Gift Voucher includes an exclusive dinner for two at JNcQUOI Asia (€260), with flavours of Chinese, Thai, Indian and Japanese cuisine, or at JNcQUOI FrouFrou (€290), which combines exquisite gastronomy with a roaring 20s atmosphere and live entertainment.

In addition to the experiences, JNcQUOI continues the tradition of its emblematic Christmas hampers, available in various options, such as the JNcQUOI Wine Box (€75), with two bottles of wine (white and red), or the sophisticated JNcQUOI Sommelier of the Year (€190), with a special selection of wines chosen by Ivo Peralta, the brand’s Head Sommelier. For gourmets, there’s also the Gourmet Box (€395), which includes a combination of wines, olive oil, jams, cheeses, chorizo sausages, among other excellent products.

Other suggestions include the elegant wine carrier bag in genuine leather, handmade in Portugal (from €205), and the book ‘Maria de Lourdes Modesto by Alexandra Albergaria’, whose recipes transformed into sugar sculptures benefit CARITAS (€184).

Baskets can be ordered by email (deliloja@jncquoi.com) or telephone (915 537 429), with deliveries available until 23 December in the Lisbon metropolitan area and until 21 December in the rest of the country. For those who prefer something more personalised, JNcQUOI offers the possibility of creating your own basket or purchasing Gift Cards valid for use in any JNcQUOI space or at the Fashion Clinic.

Cas’Amaro bets on memorable experiences as a Christmas present

With the Christmas season fast approaching, Cas’Amaro, a wine producer in Alenquer, is presenting a proposal that transforms gifts into unique experiences. Betting on memories that last, the brand is offering a selection of vouchers that promise to surprise and create unforgettable moments.

The offer includes experiences for all tastes: from guided tours of vineyards and wineries with wine tasting, to picnics among the stunning landscapes of Alenquer. For lovers of gastronomy, the highlights include harmonisations with Cas’Amaro wines and relaxing brunches for two, while the more curious can deepen their knowledge with a wine course or take part in the traditional grape harvest. ‘We want to provide gifts that go beyond the material, offering unique moments that mark people. These vouchers reflect our essence and passion for creating memories through wine and sharing,’ emphasises Rui Costa, General Manager of Cas’Amaro.

Prices range from €20 to €75, with options such as brunch for two (€35), wine courses (€50) and gastronomic experiences (from €20). Vouchers can be purchased directly through the contacts available.

Casa Vilae – Happy holidays in the heart of Serra da Estrela

With the arrival of winter, mountain landscapes take on a special charm, and Casa Vilae, located on the historic Taboadella estate in the Serra da Estrela, is the perfect refuge for an unforgettable Christmas. Designed to welcome families or groups of friends, this house combines comfort, tradition and an intimate connection to the world of wine and nature.

On the ground floor, the social areas invite you to socialise in the large living room, which opens onto an outdoor terrace, ideal for contemplating the vineyards that surround the property. On the upper floors, the eight bedrooms offer options for everyone, including a dormitory specially designed for the little ones. The décor reflects the soul of the region, with authentic materials such as burel and traditional porridge blankets, which warm up the cold nights and reinforce the cosy character of the house.

A stay at Casa Vilae is more than a rest, it’s a complete experience. Guests can explore the Wine House, a former agricultural structure transformed into a tasting room and shop, where Taboadella’s wines take centre stage. The experience can be complemented with personalised activities that make the holiday even more memorable: from craft workshops and flower arranging to oenological activities such as wine blending and tastings of regional products. For those looking to relax, there is also the option of yoga and pilates classes, as well as a personalised meal service that can be booked in advance, ensuring that comfort and gastronomy go hand in hand.

Casa Vilae’s large windows offer a privileged view over the vineyards, harmoniously integrating the interior with the exterior and creating a unique atmosphere, perfect for those who wish to escape routine and experience a Christmas surrounded by tranquillity, tradition and good memories. Casa Vilae invites you to celebrate this season with the essence of Serra da Estrela and the best of Portuguese wine tourism.

CR&F celebrates Christmas with limited editions

CR&F, the centenary brand of spirits, is presenting two special editions designed for the Christmas season, combining history and excellence. The Aguardente Velha CR&F Reserva pack pays homage to Dona Beatriz and Mr Henrique, workers from the 1950s who created two of the brand’s icons: the red seal and the rope that seals each bottle. This pack includes a bottle of Aguardente Velha CR&F Reserva and a balloon glass, ideal for tasting the balanced aromas and flavours of this brandy, which combines notes of citrus fruit, nuts and chocolate.

The CR&F Reserva Extra Pack highlights a brandy aged for six years in French oak, accompanied by a Schott Zwiesel tulip glass, designed to enhance the complex aromas of this premium brandy. Both editions are perfect for gifting or sharing, bringing to the table the best of a Portuguese brand with more than 125 years of tradition, present in more than 20 countries.

Priced at €19.89 and €49.95, these brandies celebrate not only Christmas, but also Portugal and the legacy of quality that CR&F has maintained since 1895.

Vinha Mãe returns at Christmas time

The iconic Chocapalha Vinha Mãe 2019 is back, reaffirming its position as one of the great references of Quinta de Chocapalha, in Alenquer. Named ‘Vinha Mãe’ for being the origin of everything that came after, this wine pays homage to the first plot of vines planted by the parents of Andrea and Sandra Tavares da Silva, the second generation to lead the estate. The debut of this reference dates back to the year 2000, and now, with the 2019 vintage, the legacy continues.

This unique wine is the result of a carefully crafted blend of three grape varieties: Syrah, Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz. The grapes come from 35-year-old vines cultivated in a bilateral cordon system. After harvesting and destemming, the grapes undergo pre-fermentation maceration at low temperatures for eight hours. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in lagares over eight days, followed by malolactic fermentation and ageing for 22 months in French oak barrels.

Chocapalha Vinha Mãe 2019 has an intense, opaque colour and rich aromas of forest fruits, black cherry and spices. In the mouth, it reveals a remarkable concentration, combined with an elegance that culminates in a long and persistent finish. With the oenological signature of Sandra Tavares da Silva and Miguel Cavaco, this wine is the ultimate expression of the connection between the land and human dedication.

Available in selected wine shops and on restaurant menus, Vinha Mãe 2019 keeps alive the tradition and excellence that define Quinta de Chocapalha and is a celebration of the history and future of this emblematic estate.

JMF launches Wine Tourism Experience Vouchers for Christmas Gifts

With the Christmas season fast approaching, José Maria da Fonseca presents a selection of experience vouchers, perfect for surprising wine and food lovers. The suggestions include guided tours of the Casa Museu in Azeitão, premium and super premium wine tastings and even meals at the Wine Corner restaurant. The experiences are designed for different audiences, including options for couples and families.

The vouchers available include proposals such as a guided tour of the Casa Museu with a tasting of four premium wines for two people (€30.00), the family programme for two adults and two children, which combines wine and juice tasting with children’s activities and a tasting of regional products (€42.00), or the tasting of six premium wines accompanied by a selection of cheeses, sausages, olive oil and regional bread (€73.00). For the most demanding connoisseurs, the experience of tasting two exclusive moscatels for two people stands out as the most premium offer (€200).

In addition to the wine tastings, some options include meals at the Wine Corner, combining gastronomy and oenology in a sophisticated setting. The vouchers are available in José Maria da Fonseca’s online shop, accessible at https://jmf.pt/loja/, offering a practical and distinctive way to give a gift this Christmas.

From Serra da Estrela to the Christmas table: Casa da Passarella’s Christmas suggestions

Casa da Passarella, a wine producer in the heart of the Dão, presents five special suggestions to celebrate the Christmas season, either at the Christmas table or as an ideal gift for this time of sharing. Combining tradition and innovation, each reference reflects the unique identity of the house, which is committed to the recovery of classic methods and the valorisation of the region’s indigenous grape varieties.

Descoberta Rosado 2023 sets the festive tone with its elegant salmon colour and aromas of exotic fruit combined with hints of cherry. Produced from the Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz grape varieties, this rosé stands out for its lightness and freshness, making it a versatile option to harmonise with Christmas starters. For white wine lovers, Abanico Reserva Branco 2022 is a blend of traditional grape varieties such as Bical, Cerceal, Barcelo and Terrantez. With citrus aromas and notes of white fruit, it has a marked freshness and a rich texture, ideal for fish or poultry dishes.

Oenólogo Encruzado 2022, a wine made 100% from the Encruzado grape variety, is a tribute to one of the noblest varieties in the Dão. Partly fermented in new barrels and cement vats, it surprises with notes of citrus, mandarin and lemon. With a vibrant body and balanced acidity, it provides a persistent and sophisticated finish.

Another highlight is O Fugitivo Barcelo 2022, an exclusive reference that reflects the uniqueness of the O Fugitivo range. With expressive aromas of white fruit and lychee, it has a full-bodied and elegant profile, with a long and memorable finish.

Finally, the red Villa Oliveira Vinha das Pedras Altas 2017, from vines over 90 years old, combines grape varieties such as Baga, Alfrocheiro, Touriga Nacional and Alvarelhão. Aged for 36 months in a wooden vat, it stands out for its intense red fruit aromas, balanced freshness and a long, elegant finish, promising great longevity.

These proposals from Casa da Passarella are an invitation to celebrate, bringing wines of great character to the table, capable of elevating any festive occasion and creating unforgettable memories.

Cockburn’s brings adults-only Father Christmas back to Bolhão Market

The Christmas season is officially open and, for the second year running, Cockburn’s, the historic port house of the Symington family, is returning to Bolhão Market in Porto with a special initiative dedicated to adults. In the festive spirit and with a good dose of humour, the brand is presenting ‘Cockburn’s Santa’, a unique Father Christmas, exclusively for the over-18s, who promises a relaxed and vinous experience.

Straight from the cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia, this different Father Christmas invites visitors to an unforgettable selfie and, of course, a special toast. In 2023, the action served three thousand tastings in just three days, and this year it aims to go even further. Andrew May, Cockburn’s brand manager, explains: ‘The aim is to create a relaxed activity with a sense of humour for adults. Why not have a Father Christmas to take photos, make wishes and, at the end, toast with Port wine?’.

Visitors will have the opportunity to taste two emblematic Cockburn’s references: the Special Reserve, a classic that peaks in demand during Christmas, and the Tawny 10 years, a more complex wine that reinforces the versatility of the house. In addition to the tastings, the brand is offering discount vouchers for the purchase of these references, encouraging visitors to take a bit of the Christmas spirit home with them.

The experience, which includes photography and free tasting, is available at the emblematic Bolhão Market and promises to attract all those looking to celebrate the Christmas season in an original and memorable way. The action thus reinforces the link between Porto tradition and Port wine, in a perfect combination of culture, humour and gifts.

Christmas suggestions from Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo and Taboadella delight wine lovers

Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo, located in the heart of the Douro, and Taboadella, in Silvã de Cima, in the Dão, have launched an exclusive set of offers for this Christmas season, reflecting tradition and care for the land and heritage. These special options promise to surprise lovers of the world of wine, enriching moments with family and friends.

At Quinta Nova, there are elegant boxes that include emblematic wines such as Quinta Nova Reserva Touriga Nacional 2022, with aromas of violet and wild berries, and Quinta Nova Reserva Blanc de Noir 2023, a vibrant and unforgettable white made from red grapes. Another suggestion is the classic Grainha Reserva 2022, a red that reveals the strength of the Douro terroir with fine tannins and spicy aromas. Taboadella, with a Roman soul and roots in the Dão, suggests Villae 2022, a fresh and elegant wine that reflects the richness of the local grape varieties, as well as the distinctive Grande Villae 2021 white, a complex and firm specimen that highlights the vibrant acidity of the region. These exclusive selections are available in wine cellars and are the perfect gift for providing unique experiences and toasting the essence of Christmas.