Great food and good wine go hand in hand. It’s virtually impossible to think about a special meal without the enhancing powers that wine brings to the table.
If there’s one thing that can make wine stand out besides being properly paired with dishes that match its profile, it’s to learn more about its origin. We’re firm believers that, when you know more about where ingredients and foods come from, you take in how much work goes into making them possible and, thus, you end up appreciating the end product even more, far beyond a mere sensorial manner.
If you are into wine and you happen to travel to the Portuguese capital, we’d highly encourage you to reserve a day or half day to visit one of the several vineyards in Lisbon's surroundings.
Portugal is divided into 14 official wine regions and 32 DOCs or DOPs, that is, defined geographical areas with controlled denomination of origin, including those in the Atlantic archipelagos of Madeira and Azores. Each wine region has its distinctive characteristic and particular terroir and, nearby Lisbon, you can actually visit three of Portugal’s wine regions: Lisboa, Tejo and the peninsula of Setúbal.
Lisbon is the second largest producer of wine in Portugal after the Vinho Verde region in the north of the country. During a quick day trip from the city, you can explore Lisbon region’s best wines, including the rare to find Carcavelos which we explore further below in one of our recommended winery tours. Tejo’s wine region sprawls the area of Portugal known as Ribatejo, which is mostly flat and conducive to growing all kinds of grape varieties, which are normally turned into fairly inexpensive wines best enjoyed with food rather than on their own. In turn, the peninsula of Setúbal is famed because of its Moscatel de Setúbal, a dessert wine produced with muscat grapes that shows a lovely deep golden hue.
If you’d like to do some Portuguese wine tasting, and around September perhaps even participate in the wine harvest itself, these are some of the best vineyards offering enotourism experiences near Lisbon.
Villa Oeiras
We start our list of recommendations with the unique wine from Carcavelos, which is often overlooked in favor of Portugal’s more famous fortified wines like Port or Madeira. Carcavelos DOC wine’s history started back in the 18th century and reached its peak in the following century. In more recent decades, considering this is a suburban area where real estate has taken over lands previously used for vine growing, the production of Carcavelos wine has severely decreased but the quality and uniqueness of this dry fortified wine has not. Visit Villa Oeiras and see for yourself!
🍷 Two addresses in Oeiras (see details on the website below)
🚗 The fastest route would cover 20 km via de IC12, but if traveling out of peak hours, we recommend taking the scenic route via Av. Marginal, to soak in the stunning ocean views
AdegaMãe
Located between the mountains and the sea, AdegaMãe is one of the most welcoming places to go to explore the world of Atlantic wines near Lisbon. AdegaMãe’s enotourism program is pretty vast and it includes experiences that will teach you quite a lot about the winemaking process. Take a leisurely stroll through the vineyards, participate in a guided tour with an expert, and opt in a variety of wine tastings. Wine and food experiences such as themed lunch and dinner are also available for groups for special occasions. If you prefer to do something a little more casual, simply pop by and visit AdegaMãe’s onsite shop and explore their vast range of wines by the glass before you decide which one you’d like to take back home with you.
🍷 Estrada Municipal 554, 2565-841 Fernandinho, Torres Vedras
🚗 About 50 minutes or 45 km via the A8 highway. If you have time make a stop in Malveira to try the popular trouxas da Malveira, sugary rolls of sponge cake with creamy egg filling
Quinta da Bacalhôa
Bacalhôa offers one of the most complete range of ecotourism experiences you are bound to find near Lisbon. Situated near Azeitão, in the peninsula of Setúbal, the project encompasses several wine farms under the motto “Art, Wine and Passion”. You can learn about the entire winemaking process visiting the Bacalhôa Winery Museum, the palace and stunning surrounding gardens and, of course, indulging in wine tastings. If this sounds fancy, keep in mind that a visit to Bacalhôa Winery Museum starts at only 5 euros and includes 3 wine tastings!
🍷 Estrada Nacional 10, 2925-901 Azeitão
🚗 40 km from Lisbon - take highway A2 for the fastest route, but don’t forget to make a quick detour to the town of Azeitão to try the famous eggy sweet pies tortas de Azeitão
Casa Ermelinda Freitas
If you’re interested in exploring Setúbal’s wine region, a visit to Casa Ermelinda Freitas is a must! This wine estate was founded in 1920 by Deonilde Freitas, it was later taken on by Germana Freitas, and eventually by Ermelinda Freitas which is now part of the official name. There are 27 different types of grape varieties planted on the sandy lands of Casa Ermelinda Freitas, where the terroir is also marked by the nearby rivers Tagus and Sado and the constant breeze that contributes to the specific way the grapes mature. Casa Ermelinda Freitas produces an astounding 9 million liters of wine per year. Schedule a visit and discover the property as well as some of the secrets behind the winemaking process, particularly the traditional ones that have been used since the old days. Visit the old family cellar now affectionately called “Museum of Memories” and try their impressive range of wines, with particular emphasis on the muscatel and the awarded Casa Ermelinda Freitas Alicante Bouschet Reserva 2019.
🍷 Rua Manuel João Freitas, Fernando Pó, 2965-595 Palmela
🚗 About 65 km via the A2 highway. Make the most of this day trip and head to the city of Setúbal for a meal of typical choco frito, that is, battered and deep fried cuttlefish strips served with fries and salad
Museum House by José Maria da Fonseca
José Maria da Fonseca is one of the oldest and largest wine companies in Portugal. The brand has vineyards and wineries all across Portugal, but we recommend visiting the Casa Museo in Azeitão. A visit to the museum is followed by stops in two wine estates, Adega da Mata and Adega dos Teares Novos, where the popular Periquita wine matures, as well as Adega dos Teares Velhos, where some of the oldest muscatel sweet wines are stored to age. If you’re doing an impromptu trip, you can buy some of their wines at their wine store, but if you book in advance they can organize a wine tasting to give you a more in depth overview of their offerings.
🍷 Rua José Augusto Coelho 12a, 2925-538 Azeitão
🚗 Just a little over 30 minutes drive, mostly on the A2 highway
Adega Regional de Colares
This is the oldest cooperative dedicated to wine in Portugal. Located in the historical area of Colares, the terroir is absolutely distinctive and characterized by sandy soils, saline breeze sponsored by the nearby Atlantic ocean, frequent fog and high humidity. This translates into a unique wine still crafted with ancestral techniques, featuring autochthonous grape varieties from this region such as Ramisco, Malvasia de Colares and Castelão (also known as João de Santarém). Call in advance for a guided wine experience, or pop by Adega Regional de Colares’s wine shop for a more informal wine tasting, which requires a minimum of 2 participants per session.
🍷 Alameda Cel. Linhares de Lima 32, 2705-351 Colares
🚗 To reach there, drive for about 37 minutes via the A37 highway. We strongly recommend making time to explore the surroundings of Sintra-Cascais Natural Park
Quinta do Sanguinhal
This winery and distillery’s history started in the 19th century and now-a-days encompasses the estates of Quinta do Sanguinhal, Quinta das Cerejeiras and Quinta de S. Francisco in the Demarcated Region of Óbidos (DOC). They have developed several touristic programs to share their knowledge about wines and, above all, the wines themselves. A visit to their museum starts at as little as 5 euros, but if you can afford it, we’d strongly recommend going to a wine tasting and meal combo with a commented tasting of 6 wines, including white, rosé, red and a dessert wine.
🍷 Quinta do Sanguinhal, 2540-216 Bombarral
🚗 It’s about 70 km from Lisbon which on the A8 highway it will take you about 50 minutes. If you’d like to make the most of the day wine tasting wise, pop over to nearby Lourinhã, where you can try the famous brandy popularly known as lourinhac
Quinta da Boa Esperança
Located in Zimbeira, in the western region of Portugal, between the Atlantic ocean and the mountainous Serra de Montejunto, Quinta da Boa Esperança is an old boutique winery, which also produces organic fruits and vegetables. Visiting this wine estate will give you the chance to try delectable wines, but also the freshest produce, regional cheeses and cured meats. Come to Quinta da Boa Esperança for a charming wine and food experience by their gardens, where you’ll get to sip very interesting whites, red and rosés.
🍷 Rua da Moita S/N, Zibreira, 2565-134 Carvoeira
🚗 Getting to this quinta will take about 50 minutes by car. If you need a sweet bite to help soak up the alcohol after doing some wine tasting, head to the city of Torres Vedras close by, where you can taste sweet bean tarts, known in portuguese as pastéis de feijão, right where they were first invented
Casa Santos Lima
Headquartered at Quinta da Boavista wine estate, Casa Santos Lima organizes quick guided tours which take short of 1 hour and cover their museum, winery, barrel room and shop, where you can buy the brand’s wines at reduced prices. If you opt for a tour with wine tasting, you’ll be asked to choose one of their tasting packages, which vary according to preferences and budget. Casa Santos Lima range of wines is incredibly vast and includes typical blends from the Lisbon wine region, single varietals, Alenquer DOC wines, and more. Other fun activities you can do in Casa Santos Lima vineyards include golf buggy tours around the plantations and horse carriage rides to discover the area.
🍷 Quinta da Boavista, 2580-081 Aldeia Galega da Merceana
🚗 Drive for about 50 km / 50 minutes on the A1 highway. A detour to Mafra on the way back may be worth it, to visit Mafra National Palace but also to buy some of Portugal’s most famous bread, pão de Mafra, right at the source
Casal Santa Maria
Sintra’s countryside, and specifically the area around Colares situated between the mountains and the Atlantic ocean, are famed for their fertile lands where farms and vineyards abound. Casal Santa Maria was founded a little over a century ago by Baron Bodo Von Bruemmer and the estate’s enotourism initiatives are a way of keeping his legacy alive. During one of their organized visits, which last about 1h30, you get to explore the vineyards as well as the winery, and try at least six wines. The highlight goes towards wines made with Colares’ most framed grape varieties, such as Ramisco and Malvasia.
🍷 Rua Principal 18, 2705-177 Colares
🚗 About 40 minutes drive from Lisbon, an ideal place to visit if you’d like to do some wine tourism on the day you visit bucolic Sintra. You could also combine a visit to Casal Sta Maria with a stop by Adega Cooperativa de Colares
Quinta de Sant’Ana
This winery produces a total of 10 different wines, including whites and red, which you can try booking a wine tasting which the company advertises will be representative of “Portugal in a nutshell”. The experience begins with a quick stroll around the scenic vineyards, followed by an invitation to make yourself comfortable in the majestic century old cellars, where the tastings take place. They offer four tasting options, which combine different varieties of wines and finger foods, lasting between 1h30 and 2h30. Their most premium experience, Vintage Wine Adventurer, costs around 150 euros per person (with a minimum of 2 participants) and will have you spend time with Quinta de Sant’Ana’s owner James Frost, who’s also the winemaker in charge. Besides touring the estate, you’ll also get to try a special selection of 6 wines, including old vintages and special releases harmonized with a tasting menu of 4 plates.
🍷 Rua Direita 3, 2665-113 Gradil
🚗 Pair a visit to this winery with a beautiful Portuguese seafood meal in the coastal town of Ericeira. The state is about a 40 minute drive from Lisbon, and the detour won’t add all that much to it and we promise it will be worth it
Quinta da Folgorosa
If there are many picturesque vineyards near Lisbon, Quinta da Folgorosa still manages to stand out because of the vintage white windmill which dominates the landscape, and which you also get to access when you come to the property for a guided visit. During a winery tour at Quinta da Folgorosa you get to see how they grow grapes for wine in a sustainable method, which will be explained to you before you get to literally taste the fruit of the estate team’s labor. Once in the tasting room, you get to try 6 of their best wines along with some petiscos, such as cheese and charcuterie boards with rustic bread.
🍷 Rua Principal 16, 2565-171 Dois Portos
🚗 45 minutes drive taking the A8 highway from Lisbon
Quinta da Lagoalva
The south bank of the Tagus river is bursting with natural beauty, and a quick visit to Quinta da Lagoalva will allow you to immerse yourself in it. The history of this wine estate can be traced as far back as the 12th century, when vineyards first started being planted around here. If your interest sprawls beyond the world of wines, coming to Quinta da Lagoalva will also allow you to learn from upclose about the production of olive oil and one of Portugal’s biggest exports, cork. This estate offers pre-organized activities as well as tailor made experiences, which can include visits to their plantations, wine tastings, themed meals featuring some of the Ribatejo’s most iconic dishes, and even horse rides, which are very much a part of the local culture in this area of the country. We recommend contacting them in advance to craft an experience you won’t easily forget!
🍷 Quinta da Lagoalva de Cima, 2090-222 Alpiarça
🚗 At almost 100 km from Lisbon, this is not the closest wine experience you’ll enjoy during your stay in the capital, but you could use this trip to also visit the city of Torres Novas and the many restaurants dedicated to bifanas, the typical juicy pork sandwiches from Portugal
Quinta Do Monte D'Oiro
Quinta de Chocapalha, Quinta de Sant’Ana e Quinta do Monte d’Oiro have come together under the brand Lisbon Family Vineyards, in order to join efforts towards the promotion of their family owned and run companies. All of their gastronomic wines can be tried independently, visiting each wine estate. Coming to Quinta Do Monte D'Oiro you’ll get to learn about their history which started in the 17th century, when wines began being produced from this specific terroir which is characterized by clay and limestone soils and a climate with Atlantic influence. When you book a wine tasting experience at Quinta Do Monte D'Oiro they will serve you 5 wines, which would always depend on the availability, but which would generally include at least one limited edition label, as well as a platter or regional cheeses and charcuterie to go along with it.
🍷 Quinta do Monte d'Oiro, 2580-404 Alenquer
🚗 The A1 highway will take you there in about 55 minutes
Quinta da Chocapalla
Yet another member of the Lisbon Family Vineyards, Quinta da Chocapalla welcomes wine lovers for visits which include a short walk through the vineyards, where they share the history of the Tavares da Silva family who runs this estate, and where they explain the whole process of viticulture that is practiced here. Once indoors, in the cellar and barrel room, you get to try at least 4 wines, including 2 of their most premium labels. Just like the other wines produced in this area around Alenquer, the flavor profiles are influenced by the relatively nearby Atlantic, which gives the wine fresh and mineral notes. Combine the wines with a beautiful cheese and charcuterie board during a guided tour to Quinta da Chocapalla and have a great time learning and tasting away!
🍷 Rua Carles Duff, 2580-081 Aldeia Galega da Merceana
🚗 As they are located on the same town, you could combine a visit to Quinta da Chocapalla with a stop to Casa Santos Lima
Vale De Cortém
Last but not least here’s a recommendation for those particularly into bio wines. Vale De Cortém is a small certified organic winery which was established in 2004 near Caldas da Rainha. The boutique winery is run by Christopher Price and Helga Wagner who hadn’t worked in the world of wines before Vale De Cortém and, even though they don’t have any formal training in this area either, have managed to do everything by themselves and now-a-days produce about 15.000 bottles a year. They offer two different tasting experiences which take place outdoors in an arbor overlooking the vines. Spend a couple of hours and visit the vineyards, the winery, their store and, of course, indulge in a wine tasting paired with Portuguese cheeses and cold cuts.
🍷 Rua João Alves 37-39, 2500-741 Vidais
🚗 95 km from Lisbon - take the A8 highway from downtown Lisbon for the fastest route
If you’d like to take your knowledge about Portuguese wine beyond the Greater Lisbon area, we recommend joining the experience “Winemaker for a Day”, organized right here at Cooking Lisbon. This group activity is perfect for friends and corporate team-building, allowing you to learn more about Portugal’s wine regions with a glass in hand. Cooking Lisbon’s wine-tasting activities can be held right at our kitchen and dining facilities in central Lisbon or outdoors in an actual vineyard of your choice. After a couple of hours you would have learn more about Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Arinto, Antão Vaz, Alvarinho, Malvasia Fina, Fernão Pires and the main varieties of Portuguese grapes, but also make your own wine to take home!
We hope you enjoy great meals and a delectable variety of wines during your travels in and around Lisbon. We look forward to seeing your photos via Facebook or Instagram and hopefully get to welcome you at Cooking Lisbon too! #cookinglisbon
