Sagres Vacations is offering an exclusive fall tour that provides unprecedented insight into the Madeira and Douro Wine Regions, which are the toast of the town in Portuguese wine circles. The tour, called “Grape Expectations,” explores the sunny Madeira and breathtaking Douro Region, right in the heart of the fall harvest. The package includes airfare from Boston to Porto, from Porto to Funchal, and a return flight to Boston.
Travelers can enjoy ten nights of luxurious stays at five-star hotels and boutique wineries, including the 17th Century family-owned winery at Quinta do Vallado in the Douro Valley, Porto Bay Flores in Porto, and the wine-themed hotel, the Vine in Funchal.
The package also includes private tours that offer wine experiences at Quinta da Pacheca and Quinta do Vallado, along with tours of Porto, Vinho Verde, Funchal Tour, and Madeira Island. Additionally, the package includes 16 meals, including 10 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 2 dinners, all transfers in Portugal, and an English-speaking professional guide. This tour is the perfect opportunity to explore the wine regions of Portugal with an expert guide and experience some of the best wineries and hotels in the area.
Visitors to Madeira can partake in the annual Madeira Wine Festival, which celebrates the island’s renowned wine and offers a variety of activities and events such as wine tastings, vineyard tours, and parades. During the festival, attendees can try different types of Madeira wine, discover its history and production, and indulge in local food and music.
There are also traditional wine-making displays and competitions, along with street parties and live performances. Guests on the tour can participate in the Live Harvest event in Camara dos Lobos, where local farmers harvest grapes using traditional methods that have been passed down through generations. Moreover, visitors can join in the harvest themselves.
One of the highlights of the tour is the Winemaker for a Day experience at Quinta do Vallado, one of the oldest wineries in the Douro Wine Region. The Douro region, located in the north of Portugal, is renowned for producing port wine, a fortified wine made by adding brandy to halt fermentation and preserve the sweetness of the grapes. The Douro Wine Region was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001 due to its unique landscape and status as the world’s oldest demarcated wine region.
Besides the wine blending experience at Quinta do Vallado, the itinerary also includes exclusive visits to Quinta da Pacheca and Quinta do Barbusano in Madeira. The package includes wine lunches and viniculture experiences at local wineries, among the 16 meals provided throughout the tour. The small group tour provides a unique opportunity to explore Madeira’s wine culture and learn from experienced winemakers in some of the most historic wineries in the region.
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