Cantina de Ventozelo bets on seasonal dishes to celebrate spring products

From riverside herbs to Douro oranges, the first broad beans of the year and river fish, spring has already begun to be brought to the table at Cantina de Ventozelo. In this Douro restaurant, 2024 was marked by a monthly celebration of regional and seasonal products, boosted by the arrival of chef José Guedes. In 2025, the work of praising the flavors and knowledge of the region will continue, with the seasons setting the pace in a menu that increasingly promises to live by seasonality, with respect for the rhythms of nature and what the Quinta de Ventozelo vegetable garden and other small local producers have to offer.
“The flowering of the almond trees indicates that a new cycle will begin in the Douro, the arrival of a new season. In spring, the abundance of produce reaches its peak in Ventozelo, so it will be the vegetable garden that will guide the gastronomic proposals for the coming months,” explains chef José Guedes, who will be adding seasonal, temporary dishes to the menu at Cantina da Ventozelo. “Broad beans, peas, artichokes, the first zucchinis, fennel and chard will all gradually be included on the menu, as they are harvested daily at their best point of ripeness.”

Until the end of March, the focus will be on river fish and riparian plants, with the introduction of dishes such as River Fish Rice or Pickled Shad. In April, the protagonist will be the Douro orange which, although it has been grown at the Quinta since December, it is at this time of year that it achieves its unique characteristics. Lúcio Perca with fennel couscous and orange tart are some of the temporary options that should highlight this citrus fruit. May is possibly the time of year when Ventozelo’s gardens and organic vegetable garden reach their peak in terms of the diversity and quality of the flora: broad bean rice with chorizo and Boticas trout with herb floor will do the honors on the menu, as will soups, salads and traditional vegetable stews harvested directly from the garden. In June, the month of honey in Ventozelo, there will be no shortage of desserts, such as honey pudding.
“Cantina de Ventozelo continues to be a place that lives off emotions at the table, comfort food and honest food, with the utmost respect for the rhythms of the land and a focus on low ecological impact,” says chef José Guedes, who for the coming seasons is already praising seasonal products such as beef heart tomatoes, grapes, olives and game meat.

Vidigueira Vinho 2025 an event that celebrates wine and gastronomy

On 18, 19 and 20 April, Vidigueira Town Hall will hold the Vidigueira Vinho event, an initiative that aims to promote the local wine sector, as well as highlighting other excellent products from the municipality and the rich traditional gastronomy. Entry is free, allowing everyone to take part in this celebration.
The event’s programme includes a Gastronomic Week, showcookings, wine tastings and pairings, as well as musical performances and an exhibition/sale of agri-food products and handicrafts. Established as one of the main wine events in the south of Portugal, Vidigueira Vinho stands out as a meeting point for producers, connoisseurs and professionals in the sector, promoting the excellence of Portuguese and international wines, with a special focus on the oenological heritage of the Alentejo region and, in particular, the Vidigueira sub-region.
This year’s event will feature producers from some of the country’s most prestigious wine regions, including Costa Vicentina, Setúbal, Tejo, Dão, Bairrada, Douro, Vinhos Verdes and the Azores. The international dimension of the event will be further enriched by the presence of producers from Moldova and Georgia, countries with a strong wine tradition that will contribute to the diversity and cultural dialogue that Vidigueira Vinho aims to promote.

Casa Relvas expands its portfolio and launches three new single varietals

Casa Relvas continues to innovate and diversify its range of single varietal wines, now presenting three new references to the market: Casa Relvas – Vinha do Vale Chardonnay 2024, Casa Relvas – Vinha do Ribeiro Syrah Sem Cor 2024 and Casa Relvas – Vinha de São Miguel Trincadeira 2023. With these novelties, the Alentejo producer now has 11 single varietal wines in its portfolio.

Casa Relvas’ commitment to exploring the different terroirs of the Alentejo has led to the acquisition and planting of new vineyards, enabling the production of wines that express the uniqueness of the grape varieties and the regions from which they come. Each of these wines emphasises the origin of the grapes and the location of the vineyard, reinforcing the identity of the project.

Casa Relvas – Vinha do Vale Chardonnay 2024 comes from Aldeia da Serra, in the Serra d’Ossa, where clay-schist soils give the wine minerality and freshness. Aged for four months in French oak barrels, it has notes of green apple, melon and vanilla, combining structure and balanced acidity.

Casa Relvas – Vinha do Ribeiro Syrah Sem Cor 2024, a Blanc de Noirs produced exclusively with Syrah grapes, is the result of gentle pressing of the red grapes to extract only the colourless liquid. With a mineral profile and aromas of peach, apricot and white flowers, this wine reveals complexity and elegance after four months of ageing ‘sur lies’.

Casa Relvas – Vinha de São Miguel Trincadeira 2023, from Herdade de São Miguel in Redondo, stands out for its structure and freshness. Trincadeira, an indigenous Portuguese grape variety, finds in these clay-schist soils the ideal terroir for expressing silky tannins and sophisticated notes of white flowers, wet forest and tobacco. The wine aged for 12 months in vats, gaining greater depth and persistence.

With a sustainable approach, all Casa Relvas single varietals are now presented without a capsule, in a move aimed at reducing environmental impact and simplifying recycling. This initiative reflects Casa Relvas’ philosophy, based on the pillars of environmental, social and economic sustainability.

Easter with the wines of excellence from Quinta da Alorna

Easter is a time for celebrating and sharing at the table, and Quinta da Alorna, a benchmark in the Tejo region, suggests two wines to make the occasion even more special.
To accompany traditional dishes such as roast kid, Marquesa de Alorna Grande Reserva Tinto 2019 is a noble choice. The result of an exceptional harvest, this wine aged for 14 months in new French oak barrels, developing a distinctive bouquet with floral notes, ripe black fruit and cedar. On the palate, it surprises with its elegance and imposing structure, ending in a persistent finish with a touch of menthol.
For sweet moments, Abafado 5 Years, a liqueur made exclusively from Fernão Pires, stands out for its complexity and balance. Aged for five years in old oak barrels, it has seductive aromas of honey, ripe figs and toasted almonds, accompanied by a smooth texture that harmonizes sweetness and freshness.
Quinta da Alorna wines are available in the estate’s store in Almeirim, as well as in various stores and online platforms.

Symington Family Estates strengthens its presence at the Millennium Estoril Open with renewed sponsorship for the 5th consecutive year

Symington Family Estates is once again present at the Millennium Estoril Open, renewing its official sponsorship for the fifth consecutive year of the only Portuguese tournament on the ATP circuit, which takes place between 26 April and 4 May at the Estoril Tennis Club. The Graham’s Port wine and Altano DOC Douro wine brands will be the house ambassadors for this prestigious sporting competition.
Graham’s stands out with its already iconic Graham’s Cocktail Bar, where a selection of creative cocktails based on Blend Nº5 (White Port) and Blend Nº12 (Ruby Port) will be served, in an experience designed to surprise Port wine lovers. The brand will also be present in the tournament’s VIP area, through a sophisticated Wine Bar that will showcase a wide range of wines from the Symington universe – from Port to DOC Douro and Alentejo.
Altano, meanwhile, will be present in the area open to the public with two different spaces. The first offers a fun component with quizzes and games for all ages, inviting visitors to demonstrate their sporting skills with prizes and merchandise from the brand on offer. The ‘Altano Cup’ lounge area offers a more relaxed experience, ideal for tasting the different wines in the Altano range, in an environment that combines wine and sport with elegance.

“Symington is proud to once again be a partner of such a prestigious sporting event as the Millennium Estoril Open, now for the 5th consecutive year. This is undoubtedly an excellent stage for our brands and a great way to strengthen our presence in the Greater Lisbon area,” emphasises Rita Veiga Bulhosa, head of events and activations at Symington Family Estates.
The Millennium Estoril Open is an unavoidable reference on the national sporting and media scene, annually bringing together some of the best tennis players on the ATP circuit in an environment that combines top-level sport with the sophistication of the best experiences. Symington’s partnership thus consolidates the presence of Portuguese wine on one of the biggest international tennis stages.

Quinta da Lagoalva strengthens its commitment to premium wine tourism

Quinta da Lagoalva, located in Alpiarça, on the Tagus Wine Route, just an hour from Lisbon, continues to invest in premium wine tourism, offering exclusive and intimate experiences involving the participation of the owner family and the house winemakers.

With 660 contiguous hectares, the property, belonging to the Holstein Campilho family, stands out for its centuries-old history and the production of quality wines, consolidating itself as a reference destination in the region. Recently, the estate launched the experience ‘No Palácio da Lagoalva com a Família’, which includes a guided tour of the estate’s heritage, a visit to the chapel of São Pedro, the horse carriage museum and the stables. Visitors also have the opportunity to visit the winery and attend a Grande Reserva wine tasting, accompanied by olive oil from the estate. The experience culminates with lunch at the Palácio da Lagoalva, where one of the owners shares the history of the estate, which dates back to the 12th century. This programme costs 190 euros per person.

Lagoalva’s wine tourism offer is diverse and includes various options for different visitor profiles. The ‘Living Lagoalva’ programme, available from 30 euros per person, includes a visit, wine and olive oil tasting, with the possibility of including lunch. The ‘Exploring Lagoalva in a Horse-drawn Carriage’ experience offers a tour of the estate in one of the house’s traditional horse-drawn carriages, allowing you to get to know the vineyards, olive groves and cork production, and is available from 75 euros.

For the more demanding connoisseurs, the estate offers two special programmes with winemakers Pedro Pinhão and Luís Paulino: ‘Learn with Lagoalva’, a five-hour wine course with lunch, for 150 euros, and ‘Create with Lagoalva’, an interactive workshop that challenges participants to create their own wine, for 195 euros.

Lagoalva also stands out for its ability to host corporate and social events, such as team buildings, product launches and weddings, offering an exclusive environment and infrastructures adapted to different needs. Interested parties can find out more at www.lagoalva.pt or by contacting turismo@lagoalva.pt, 243 559 070 and 912 021 033.

Casa Ermelinda Freitas launches “Destemido” wine in honour of father

On the day that Manuel João de Freitas Júnior would have turned 97, his daughter Leonor Freitas paid him a heartfelt tribute with the launch of Destemido, the new top-of-the-range wine from Casa Ermelinda Freitas. The ceremony took place this Saturday in Fernando Pó, Palmela, and was attended by the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and dozens of personalities from culture, politics, economics and sport.
In an intimate reception, the busts of Manuel João and Mrs Ermelinda Freitas were unveiled and blessed. An emotional Leonor Freitas remembered her father as ‘a man with great vision’, whose memory deserved this symbolic justice. The event culminated with the presentation of Destemido, a rare wine, with only 2025 bottles, the price of which is expected to be around 700 euros.
The bottle, designed by artist Olga Noronha, is a true piece of art, presented in a wooden box with references to the Setúbal Peninsula and the bicycle on which the honoured man travelled the country at the age of 20. The wine, created by oenologist Jaime Quendera, is the result of a special selection: 70% Castelão from old vines, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Alicante Bouschet and 10% Syrah, aged in French and American oak.

Vidigueira Wine 2025: Tradition, Wine and Gastronomy in the Spotlight

On 18, 19 and 20 April 2025, Vidigueira Town Hall is preparing to host another edition of the Vidigueira Vinho event, a gathering that celebrates the wines of the Vidigueira wine sub-region and promotes the municipality’s products of excellence, combining tradition, gastronomy and culture.

The event will feature a heavyweight musical line-up, with performances by António Zambujo, Calema and Lucky Duckies, providing moments of entertainment and socialising for all visitors. In addition to the shows, the programme includes a Gastronomic Week, showcookings, wine tastings and pairings, as well as exhibitions and sales of agri-food products and handicrafts.

The municipality wants to consolidate Vidigueira as a leading wine tourism destination, promoting the county’s wine as a driving force for regional economic development. The event will also highlight the richness of the local gastronomy, with a special focus on carved wine, one of the region’s ex-libris, and other products such as bread, sweets, oranges and olive oils, essential elements of the Alentejo identity. In addition, cante alentejano will be valorised as a cultural symbol of great importance.

Graham launches Late Bottled Vintage 2018 from Quinta dos Malvedos

For the first time in its history, Graham’s is bottling a Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) Port exclusively from a single estate: Quinta dos Malvedos. This launch reinforces the brand’s reputation as one of the most prestigious in Port wine production and emphasises the exceptional quality of the estate’s vineyards.

Graham’s Late Bottled Vintage Quinta dos Malvedos 2018 is the result of a vintage of excellence on an estate located in the transition zone between the Cima Corgo and Douro Superior sub-regions. The consistency of the quality of the grapes from this estate has been a key element in Graham’s classic Vintage Ports over the years, and is now emphasised in a wine of singular character.

With an impressive aromatic richness, LBV 2018 has intense floral notes, with fragrances of eucalyptus and mint, typical of Malvedos, as well as nuances of violets, indicative of the presence of Touriga Nacional. On the palate, flavours of wild berries, quirche, mocha and dark chocolate stand out. The texture is enveloping, with a remarkable harmony between concentration and intensity, making it a wine of great seduction.

Versatile and sophisticated, this Port can be enjoyed on a variety of occasions and goes particularly well with dark chocolate desserts and aged or semi-aged cheeses such as Cheddar and Manchego. Its balanced and expressive profile reflects the unique characteristics of the 2018 harvest, which was marked by a wet and cold spring that ensured the soil’s water reserves were replenished. Although production was low in quantity, the quality of the grapes proved to be exceptional, resulting in a remarkable wine.

Graham’s Late Bottled Vintage Quinta dos Malvedos 2018 is now available in the main wine shops for the recommended price of €25. The wine was bottled in 2024 by winemakers Charles Symington and Bernardo Nápoles, using a blend of 45% Touriga Franca, 35% Touriga Nacional, 5% Sousão and 15% Alicante Bouschet, with an alcohol content of 20%.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

DÃO IN CELEBRATION: QUINTA DO CASTELO WELCOMES THE BEST IN WINE TOURISM

There are many surprises in store on the night of the APENO – Ageas Seguros 2025 National Wine Tourism Awards, which this year will be held in the Dão region. But there are secrets that can already be revealed. Quinta do Castelo is the venue for the gala and the dinner has been designed by chef Henrique Ferreira, one of the region’s most renowned and talented chefs.

This year, the APENO – Ageas Seguros National Wine Tourism Award travels to the heart of the Dão region and once again meets the community and local traditions of the Portuguese regions it has visited, following good sustainability practices as usual. This time, Nelas, in Viseu, is the city chosen for the great national wine tourism festival. On May 30, starting at 6pm, Quinta do Castelo will be transformed into the stage for the National Wine Tourism Award, with a gala dinner prepared to perfection by renowned chef Henrique Ferreira, owner of the Tertúlia restaurant at the Hotel Puro Dão in Nelas, and with a long career in some of the best national kitchens.

“As well as rewarding the best wine tourism companies and professionals, the idea is once again to highlight the region that hosts the National Wine Tourism Awards, and to surprise with its elegance, details, creativity and professionalism, wines and, of course, gastronomy. All in one evening that promises to be magical! After a search of the region, Quinta do Castelo turned out to have the ideal conditions to host the event, and Henrique is a chef who works very well with the products and flavors indigenous to the Dão, with a modern and creative eye. I’m sure the guests will also be won over by their stomachs,” says Maria João de Almeida, President of the Portuguese Wine Tourism Association.

Located on the Beira plateau, between Serra da Estrela and Caramulo, Nelas stretches across the Dão and Mondego valleys and is recognized as the heart of the Dão Demarcated Region. It is in this vineyard-covered setting that we find Quinta do Castelo, an ideal venue for organizing events. As well as having a restaurant renowned for its tasty regional cuisine, Quinta do Castelo stands out for producing its own wines – Casa do Castelo – from its 8 hectares of vineyards and a well-equipped wine cellar. “It’s an honor and a privilege to host the National Wine Tourism Award, which is a benchmark event, the big party that highlights the best in wine tourism in Portugal! Hosting this ceremony gives us a huge responsibility, but it also goes hand in hand with what we try to do best, which is to welcome our visitors with great quality. Wine tourism is a key part of our house and of the sustainable development of wine-growing regions, as well as a very important factor in enhancing our cultural and gastronomic heritage,” says Pedro Morais, manager and head of Quinta do Castelo.

As for the menu, it is already being marinated in the head of chef Henrique Ferreira, who has proudly embraced the challenge of preparing the ceremony’s meal inspired by the traditional flavors of the region. “I’m very flattered to have been the chef chosen by both the municipality of Nelas and APENO to prepare the dinner for the National Wine Tourism Award. As they say, I’m a son of the land, I know the aromas and flavors of the region very well and I’m going to give them my interpretation. That’s why it’s with great pleasure and enthusiasm that I’m going to cook the best I can to highlight the gastronomy of our region,” says Henrique Ferreira, who wants every detail of this meal to convey a sensory journey through the past and the present, through the Dão and its people. “I’m not going to reveal the menu just yet, but I can guarantee that each dish served on this special evening will tell its own story, just as it does in wine tourism,” says the chef.

Chef Henrique Ferreira, a native of Santar, began his career in gastronomy at a young age, helping out in his great-uncle’s restaurant. After studying catering, he worked in top kitchens such as Quinta das Lágrimas, Tasca da Esquina and Paço dos Cunhas de Santar, where he consolidated his career. He also worked at the Estoril Open and with renowned chefs such as Henrique Sá Pessoa and Vítor Matos.

In 2009, he joined the GlobalWines group, where he headed several restaurants and, in 2016, became the group’s Executive Chef, coordinating the kitchens at Quinta de Cabriz, Paço dos Cunhas and Quinta do Encontro. Between 2020 and 2023, he was F&B Consultant at the Quinta do Medronheiro restaurant and, in 2022, he worked as a consultant at the Wine Bistro, Mind The Glass in Porto. He is currently responsible for the Tertúlia Project, which opened in 2023 at Tertúlia Gastronomia in Nelas, a space that celebrates the gastronomy of Dão and Portugal, with a wine list focused on the region.

Quinta do Castelo, on the other hand, is a family estate with around 12 hectares, 8 of which are dedicated to vineyards. The estate grows grape varieties such as Tinta Roriz, Jean, Alfrocheiro, Tinta Pinheira and Touriga Nacional.
Inspired by previous generations and their passion for wine, the owners have modernized and innovated the viticulture and winemaking processes, resulting in Casa do Castelo wines. In addition to wine production, Quinta do Castelo offers a restaurant serving typical Beira cuisine, using local ingredients and pairing dishes with the wines produced on the estate. The space also offers areas for events, including large gardens and a hall with capacity for up to 300 people, making it an ideal venue for large parties and special gatherings.