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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.
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.
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.
The Yeatman, doubles from €215 (high
season). the-yeatman-hotel.com/en
WHERE TO EAT
Quinta do Portal, Douro Valley,
Vinum, Porto, grahams-port.com
FIND OUT MORE
Clockwise from top left: the city
of Porto; the Douro from Quinta
da S. José; Casa das Pipas;
terracing at Quinta do Seixo
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