WINE LOVERS IN PORTUGAL AND SPAIN

DAY 1 / OPORTO
DOURO RIVER AT SUNSET, APPETIZERS AND PORT WINE

After arrival and checking in at your luxury hotel, join your guide and lecturer for a welcome appetizers and Port Wine this evening on a Rabelo (replica of the small boats used in the past to transport the wine from the Douro Valley to Porto and the Lodges for aging) while sailing on the Douro River at sunset.

DAY 2 / OPORTO
CULTURAL OVERVIEW, GOURMET DELIGHT, CELLARS AND FADO

Morning sightseeing.

Lunch of Portuguese specialties at a gourmet restaurant located on the Ribeira in the historical center of Porto and special winery visits to taste wonderful wines such as: Porto Branco, Tawny 10 years, Tawny 20 years, and a Late Bottled Vintage (LBV). A licensed enologist assists the tasting.

In the evening visit one of the most important cellars and Museum with the Director and his enologist, followed by a private gala dinner and a Fado performance.

DAY 3 / OPORTO & DOURO VALLEY
WINE PRODUCERS, HISTORY AND SCENIC WINE COUNTRY

Depart to the Douro Valley with a stop over at a historic “Quinta”, Producer of Vinho Verde). Their enologist will describe the difference between the Port Wine and the Vinho Verde.

Lunch at the charming 16th-century palace (now a hotel) on a ancient town.

After lunch you will make your way through the very picturesque Douro Valley and enjoy a special tutored wine tasting at a port wine producer since 1734. It was the first to bottle wines under its own label and by introducing new grape varieties in 1978, they are now producing new varieties of white and red table wines.

Gourmet dinner with a sampling of local wines and port from the area

DAY 4 / DOURO VALLEY
VINTAGE WINES & RIVER CRUISE

Visit a Quinta that dates back to the 17th century. Famous for its vintage wines, of the 72 acres, 44 are dedicated to grade “A” vineyards, the highest classification bestowed on a vineyard. Enjoy a tutored wine tasting and lunch.

Embark at the Pinhao Dock for a spectacular but relaxed river cruise down to Regúa and to a small charming winery hosted by owner. See her farm, which has been in the family since 1885. They have a small production of high quality grapes such as Touriga Nacional and Touriga Francesa, planted in the centuries-old traditional manner on very steep terraces along the Douro River.

Dinner at a lovely private manor house with its impressive coat of arms, antiques and fine art.

DAY 5 / CONTINUE TO SPAIN!
HACIENDAS & SCIENCE

Departure for Spain (one hour ahead of Portugal). Drive via Vila Nova de Foz and Mogadouro to Fermoselle, Spain, near the border to visit an hacienda (Wine Estates of Spain). Wine tasting of their special Spanish wines collection. The Head Wine Master of the Group will tell us about the scientific research that has been conducted and some of the innovative and modern techniques

A light buffet lunch of local specialties will be served in the atrium of the magnificent building, which was built in 1366 by Dominican monks, who also made their own wine and had extensive cereal fields.

Continue on to another hacienda and deluxe hotel built on an old water mill

Wine tasting in the magnificent wine cellar with a selection of the Durius Wine Collection. Gourmet dinner to follow at the restaurant in the Hotel Hacienda.

DAY 6 / RIVERA DEL DUERO & SALAMANCA
MORE WINERIES AND MICHELIN STAR

Visit a new vineyard with grapes planted in 1999 and modern growing techniques. Continue to another winery where wines are made exclusively from the difficult, quick maturing Tempranillo variety

Lunch in the small town of Peñafiel to enjoy Castile’s wonderful roast baby lamb.

Drive into the beautiful old university town of Salamanca that rises like a dream from a flat golden landscape and enjoy a guided tour.

Enjoy a delightful gourmet dinner at a Michelin star restaurant.

DAY 7 / RIOJA
THE HEART OF THE WINE REGION

Depart for your cross- country trip through Northern Spain to Haro with a brief stop in Burgos.

Visit a prestigious family-owned Winery in Haro, hosted by one of the owners.

In the evening drive to the medieval village of Abalo for another winery visit, one of the oldest wineries in Europe, dating back hundreds of years and has been owned by the same family since its inception. Tour the vineyards, winery and palace, the most important building in town.

DAY 8 / RIOJA ALAVESA
BOUTIQUE AND MODERN WINERIES

Today you will visit a small but excellent boutique winery and an incredible modern, vanguard-style one, designed by the famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. This visits include a tour of the wineries, explanation of the wine producing process and a wine tasting.

Enjoy lunch in the small medieval walled town of Laguardia hosted by the owner of a 17th-century mansion. She will show you her interesting wine cellar.

In the afternoon visit Spain’s oldest wine producer, noteworthy for their fine wines, but is especially intriguing as the location for a planned expansion by Frank Gehry, the Canadian-born architect whose dramatic Guggenheim Museum dominates the cityscape of Bilbao.

Evening free for tapa-hopping at the many small bars in the old quarter

DAY 9 / DEPART FOR NAVARRA
WINE AND CASTLES

Today you will eat, drink wine and sleep like a king at a gorgeous and recently renovated winery near Pamplona.

DAY 10 / END OF YOUR WINE TOUR
MADRID OR SAN SEBASTIAN