TRAVEL & WINE EXPERIENCES AROUND THE WORLD
Porto. Douro.
ITS ALL ABOUT THE WINES, FOOD, COCKTAILS. VINES.
Portugal is probably the most unexplored country with medieval castles, cobblestone villages, captivating cities. Join us as we explore Portugal from local food and great wines. Porto is about 3-4 hours of train from Lisbon. Photo from Alejandro Piñero Amerio
Updated 14 Feb 2025
CHAPTER 01 PORTHOUSES 02 VINES 03 WINEBARS 04 DINING 05 LOCAL CUISINE 06 COCKTAILS 07 RESOURCES
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Port Wine Tastings.
01 OUR TOP 5 PORT HOUSES
Port has a few styles; White, Rosé, Ruby, Vintage, Late Bottled Vintage, Tawny.
Port wines explained - Port wine can only be from Portugal. It is produced from grapes grown and processed in the Douro Valley which is officially recognized as an appellation in 1756. Its then shipped and sold in the city of Porto where you will find many warehouses storing Port wines for its historical journey of being traded around the world.
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Niepoort.
Niepoort | Explore the world of Niepoort from this wine cellar located in Vila Nova de Gaia. Wine experiences are recently available for reservations as you enjoy an intimate experience of Port Wines, Tea, Douro Wines with the team at Niepoort.
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PORTO Vila Nova de Gaia 2R. de Serpa Pinto 278
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https://www.niepoort.pt/en/experiences
Photo from Facebook/Niepoort
Quinta do Noval.
Quinta Do Noval | Well known throughout the world for its Port wines, the Quinta do Noval Vintage Ports continues to be made from a strict selection of the best wines from our vineyard in Douro Valley. Voted #16 World Best Vineyards.
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PORTO 256 av. Diogo Leite, Vila Nova de Gaia
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DOURO 15 Rua da Praia, 5085 Pinhão
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https://www.quintadonoval.com/
Photo from Facebook/WeAreNovalLovers
Sandeman & Casa Ferreira
Sandeman & Casa Ferreira | Started in 1790, George Sandeman, a 25 year old Scottish founded Sandeman, who ended up establishing one of the world’s leading Port and Sherry wine businesses. Get to know Dona Ferreira as the lady of Port as well. She was famously known as "Ferreirinha”, one of the most remarkable personalities in the history of Douro winemaking. Sogrape owns both labels.
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PORTO Largo Miguel Bombarda Nr. 474400-222 Vila Nova de Gaia
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DOURO Quinta do Seixo, Valença do Douro, Portugal
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Photo from Facebook//TheSandemanDon
W&J Graham's Port Lodge
W&J Graham's Port Lodge | Founded in 1820 by brothers William and John Graham, Graham’s Port quickly became known as a producer of exceptional ports. This success culminated in the building of the Graham’s Lodge in Gaia
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PORTO Rua do Agro 141, 4400-003 Vila Nova de Gaia
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Photo from Facebook/grahams.port.wine
Back to the Vines.
02 MEET THE WINE MAKER
Just over 150km from the city of Porto, lies Douro, one of the most wild and rugged regions of Portugal with attitudes soaring more than 2000m above sea level. It's divided in 3 regions ; Baixo Corgo, Alto Corgo, Douro Superior
Macanita Vinhos
DOURO VALLEY
Macanita Vinhos | Joana Macanita was recognized as one of the “100 Most Influential Women in Portugal” by Sábado magazine in 2021. She is considered a legend in the next generation of wine making in Portugal. Her wines are minimum intervention that speaks of the specific terroir and regionality.
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A unique experience for those who want to experience being at the table of the winemaking team and taste the famous food of Douro, visit the winery with our winemakers, have lunch at the table in the company of a selection of 3 wines. (65€/pax)
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CM1268, 5085-207, Portugal
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Photos from Website
Wine Bars.
Here's some of our favorite wine bars to check out while in town.
03 SOMMELIERS HOT FAVOURITE
Prova Wine Bar
Prova Wine Bar | The best way to try different Portuguese Wines is in a wine bar. Enjoy some light jazz complete with the knowledgeable Sommelier Diogo and his amazing team.
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R. de Ferreira Borges 86, 4050-252 Porto, Portugal
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Photo from Website
Mercado do Bolhão
Mercado do Bolhão | This is the market of Bolhão with lots of stalls selling cheeses, oysters, wines, fruits, sardines and so much more. Have a glass of wine while browsing is just the way to experience this market.
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R. Formosa 322
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Photo from Website
Dining with Wines.
04 WINE IS BEST WITH FOOD AND FRIENDS.
Special guest recommendations by Jorge Nunes, Symington, Asia Pacific Regional Manager. Here's some of our favorites places in Porto.
Cantina 32 Industrial chic meets Casual Portuguese dining.
Photo from Facebook/Cantina32
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Taberna dos Mercadores A small cosy traditional tapas place with 6 tables, the food is great with people watching. Booking is preferred.
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Traça Portuguese traditional food in a nice location. Specialty meats providore.
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Cantinho do Avillez Casual Portuguese traditional food. Chef is a 2* Michelin stars. (Not this restaurant as this location is casual).
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DOP More “formal” modern Portuguese dining. Chef has 2* Michelin stars.
Local Cuisine.
05 TRADITIONAL PORTUGUESE
Here are some of the must try while you are in Porto. Be sure to try some of the Douro wines.
Francesinha.
Translated as the little french lady, Francesinha, known as the classic Porto Sandwich; Sandwich bread with sliced of cut meats, sausage, wrapped with cheese and served with a spicy tomato beer sauce. Portuguese version of the Croque Madame. Photo from Cafe Santiago
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Lado B Café (Coliseu) Son of Cafe Santiago who opened another restaurant next door.
Porto Coliseu, R. de Passos Manuel 190
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Cafe Santiago Be prepared to wait for this famous sandwich.
​Porto Rua Passos Manuel, 226
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Brasão Bristro One of the few restaurants to offer quality in snacks, offering hardcore “francesinha” sandwiches
​R. de Ramalho Ortigão 28
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Bacalhau Salted Cod Fish
Traditional Portuguese Salted Codfish.
There are more than 365 ways to cook Bacalhau, one for every day of the year. Here's some of classic dishes that you will see on menu, all over Portugal.
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Pasteis/ Pataniscas de Bacalhau
Shredded Codfish Cakes mixed with Potato and fried
Bacalhau a Bras
Shreds of bacalhau with onions and chopped fried pototes with scrambled eggs
Casserole of bacalhau, potatoes, eggs, olives, olive oil and onions​
Bacalhau à Lagareiro
Classic Grilled Codfish
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Bacalhau com Natas
Baked Casserole of codfish layered with onions, diced fried potatoes and cream
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Bacalhau à Narcisa
Fried codfish with onions and peppers, cooked with spices and olive oil
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Steaks.
Bota&Bira Small, intimate eatery offering Portuguese & Mediterranean tapas and dry aged steaks alongside with a good selection of wines.
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R. do Comércio do Porto
Grilled Octopus.
O Buraco
Run by two friends serving up classic dishes for many years now. Serving classic dishes; salt cod cakes, duck rice, octopus, or rojões à Buraco. Friendly staff with with the humble Portuguese flair.
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R. do Bolhão 95, 4000-112, Porto
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Pastéis de Nata.
Traditional Portuguese Egg tarts
Manteigaria
One of the best Pasteis de Nata recipe. It's now expanded to a couple more locations. Photo from Website
R. de Alexandre Braga 24
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Confeitaria São Domingos
Another traditional bakery serving up one of the best Pasteis de Nata.
Largo São Domingos 37
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Oporto Bars.
06 LETS HAVE A KIKI
Looking for a night out in Porto, we got you some Jazz including some of the 50 world best discovery bars.
The Royal Cocktail Club
The Royal Cocktail Club | Inside an old bankers’ union building, set with an elegant interior decked out in wood, marble, and bronze. Speak to Nelson, Carlos and their team for their signature cocktails.
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Rua da Fábrica 105, 4050-247 Porto
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Photo from facebook.com/theroyalcocktailclub
Resources.
07 LETS PLAN A TRIP
Here's some of the resources to help you plan for your next trip to Porto. This article is dedicated to the awesome Wines of Portugal.
Map of Wine Regions in Portugal
Wine Folly's Guide to the Wine Regions of Portugal.
https://winefolly.com/deep-dive/what-wines-to-drink-from-portugal-by-region/
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Wines of Portugal
A great guide to the Wine Regions of Portugal.
WINES
STAY
Old City Oporto Apartments
Great location in the Old city of Porto.
THINGS TO DO
Timeout - Top things to do in Porto
https://www.timeout.com/porto/things-to-do/the-best-things-to-do-in-porto
WATCH
Curated.
IT'S OUR PLEASURE. OBRIGADO.
Jorge is from Lisbon. He is a former international Cabin Crew.
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Pete is based in London. He works as an international Cabin Crew and is a Professional Sommelier.
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JJ is based in Sydney. He works as a Business First Cabin Crew and is a Professional Sommelier and teaches hospitality.
Special Thanks to
Wines of Portugal.
Joey Mayton. Fatso Somm. Singapore.
Jorge Nunes. Symington Asia.
Embassy of Portugal, Australia