The Best Wine Cellars in Porto
On the opposite side of the city of Porto, specifically in Vila Nova da Gaia, you will find some of the most important and traditional wine cellars in the world. Visiting them is an unforgettable and essential experience where you can taste exquisite wines in a postcard-worthy setting.
Best of Porto Half Day Tour
Visiting at least one wine cellar is one of the things to do in Porto that should not be postponed. It is one of the most recommended activities to connect with and learn about the local culture of this city in northern Portugal. Here are the best wine cellars in Porto.
The Origin of Porto Wine
The banks of the Douro River in Porto are famous for their landscapes, pleasant climate, friendly people, but above all, for being the region where the inimitable Porto wine is produced.
In Porto, red and white wines were already being produced before the 17th century, but they were little known outside of Portugal. However, in 1678, due to the war between England and France—specifically because of the former’s ban on the importation of French wine—Porto wine began to gain popularity among the English.
According to historical data, merchants from Liverpool copied a technique used at the time in the Lamego monastery to alter the wine. Thus, they began to add brandy to the wines to interrupt the fermentation process. This method yields wine with a higher alcohol content (up to 25 degrees) and quite sweet, two of the characteristics that distinguish the various varieties and types of Porto wine.
Visiting the Douro River, where Porto wine is produced, is one of the most recommended activities if you’re looking for things to see near Porto.
There, you can visit some of the best wineries in the region, navigate a traditional rabelo boat on the Douro River, and enjoy a meal with views of vineyards on the Douro Valley tour from Porto.
What Are the Best Wine Cellars in Porto?
Vila Nova da Gaia and Duero
The Douro Valley is the cradle of Porto wines; however, you won’t have to go far to taste it. Most of the Porto wine cellars are located in Vila Nova da Gaia, a municipality situated across from the iconic Ribeira de Porto, easily reachable by crossing one of its famous bridges.
Taking a walking tour along the Douro River is the best way to learn its most fascinating stories.
Here are some recommendations based on tradition, innovation, sales levels, or simply because we are sure you will have a great time visiting them.
Poças Wine Cellars
It is one of the best wine cellars in Porto and one of the few owned by a Portuguese family. With over a hundred years of history, Poças Wine Cellars are now in the hands of the fourth generation of a family committed to maintaining and defending the uniqueness of Douro wines.
During your visit, you can choose from a premium wine tasting in Porto, where you can sample the most exclusive wines from the cellar, such as a Poças Reserva Ruby and a Poças 20 Years Tawny Porto, among others.
You can also enjoy a tasting of three wines (white Porto, Late Bottled Vintage, and 10-year Tawny Porto) in the traditional Porto wine tasting at Poças Cellars.
Cálem Wine Cellars
Cálem wine cellars have been around since 1859 when António Alves Cálem decided to produce wine for export to Brazil instead of the British Isles.
It features an interactive museum where you can learn a bit about the history of the Douro Valley and the types of grapes. You can also put your sense of smell to the test in an interesting challenge suitable for the whole family.
If you are in Porto, you can visit Cálem Wine Cellars with the tour that includes the Porto sightseeing bus, a cruise, and wine tasting.
Sandeman Wine Cellars
With over 200 years of history, visiting Sandeman wine cellars feels like embarking on a journey through time. As you explore their incredible facilities, you will find artifacts, tools, and photographs of incalculable historical value.
You will also see one of the most impressive bottle collections in all of Europe, in addition to tasting one of the most recognized wines of Porto.
Graham’s Wine Cellars
While the visit to Cálem wine cellars has a family-friendly vibe, Graham’s wine cellars offer a more elegant and exclusive environment. Since 1820, these cellars have been owned by the Graham family, who have been pioneers in implementing new wine production techniques in the Douro Valley. Their wines are among the best-rated in the region.
Cockburn’s Wine Cellars
These are the largest cellars in all of Portugal. During the visit, you can see the staff working hard. Like all the other cellars, you will learn about their wine-making process and enjoy a tasting of their best wines.
Ferreira Wine Cellars
Perhaps the only cellar centered around a character, in this case, Doña Antónia Ferreira. “Ferreirinha” was one of the most important figures in the winemaking development of the entire Douro region. Ferreira wine cellars have several tasting rooms where you can sample various types of wines.
Porto is an incredible city where tradition converges with modernity, with hundreds of experiences and activities waiting for you. If you decide to discover the secrets of this fantastic city in northern Portugal, be sure to check out all the tours and experiences Porto has to offer.
Best of Porto Half Day Tour