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wine

accommodation) and the tour is free, plus

you'll have more time to enjoy the pool and

gardens. If you go during the harvest, you can

even foot-tread grapes in the traditional tanks.

Not all wineries continue to practise this

method so it's worth doing some research

if you've got your heart set on purple legs.

Nearby Quinta do Seixo is Sandeman

heartland, with a visitor centre well equipped

to take coachloads from river cruises. After

the tour and tasting, stay in the bar and

experiment with modern, summery serves,

including Sandeman Fizz (lemon sorbet with

white Port) or Founders on the Rocks (ruby

Port with lots of ice and a slice of orange).

At the other end of the scale, small,

family-run producer Quinta de S. José is

about 40 minutes by boat from Pinhão, and

from the water you get a sense of the area's

history and how Port used to be transported.

Winemaker João Brito e Cunha usually shows

people around personally and you can stay in

traditional-style houses, arrange wine courses,

take jeep tours and enjoy picnics. The quinta

is making a name for itself when it comes to

Douro wines and the Reserva Red 2011 is a

tipple worth trying, as is the winery's — rst

Single Quinta Vintage 2009 Port.

Set back from the river, Quinta do Portal's

winery was designed by Portuguese architect

Alvaro Siza and the walls are covered in cork.

You can stay at the quinta's Casa das Pipas

and the restaurant has ¦ oor-to-ceiling views

of the vines, in case you forget where you are.

As you return to Porto, remember, Port

is for life and not just for Christmas.

GETTING THERE

TAP Portugal and Easyjet ¦ y

to Porto from London Gatwick. Easyjet

prices start from £21.49 one way. Flight

time is 2h20. � ytap.com, easyjet.com

GETTING AROUND

Companhia Turistica do

Douro o ers boat trips from Pinhão.

companhiaturisticadodouro.com

Europcar has several branches in

and around Porto. europcar.com

Trains to the Douro from Porto can

be booked via cp.pt

WHEN TO GO

If you want to tread the grapes, aim

to visit during harvest time in September.

WHERE TO STAY

Casa das Pipas, doubles from €120.

quintadoportal.com

Infante Sagres, standard doubles from

€160, via hotelinfantesagres.pt

Quinta de la Rosa, doubles from €85,

including breakfast. quintadelarosa.com

Quinta do Tedo, doubles from €95.

quintadotedo.com

The Yeatman, doubles from €215 (high

season). the-yeatman-hotel.com/en

WHERE TO EAT

Quinta do Portal, Douro Valley,

quintadoportal.com

Vinum, Porto, grahams-port.com

FIND OUT MORE

discovertheorigin.co.uk

Clockwise from top left: the city

of Porto; the Douro from Quinta

da S. José; Casa das Pipas;

terracing at Quinta do Seixo