Written by: Sofia Amorim
The countryside around Lisbon is peppered with wineries and wine-tasting opportunities. For some visitors, however, trying to make sense of the vast range of wineries can be overwhelming. To get you started, we’ve highlighted the best wineries near Lisbon that combine beautiful design, excellent customer service, and great wine.
Venturing beyond the city limits
Regardless of your reason for traveling, no trip to Portugal is complete without a stop in Lisbon. The Portuguese capital has become unexpectedly fashionable as travelers from all around the world set foot upon this historical yet cosmopolitan city.
For those looking for a more laid-back vacation setting, there is plenty to see and do beyond the city limits of Lisbon, just a short drive away.
Although you can reach some of these places by public transport, for the most part, you’ll need a car. For that reason, a guided tour is the best practical option when visiting the Lisbon wineries. A private driver will leave you free to fully appreciate the wines and views, while helping you get more out of your cultural experiences.
Around the city, you’ll find some of the most traditional yet cutting-edge wine producing estates in the country. Our full-day tour through Lisbon’s wine producing estates will take you through a number of wineries, offering you the chance to sample some of the best wines produced in the region, paired with locally-grown traditional products. You will also have the opportunity to have lunch at one of the wineries – with a breath-taking view over the vineyards – as well as visit the largest Oriental Garden in Europe and the picturesque village of Óbidos.
Though not exactly in Lisbon, our wine tour in the Setubal Peninsula is so close by that it’s worth mentioning. The Setubal Peninsula lays on the opposite bank of the River Tejo, a short 30-minute drive away from the city. It’s also a very popular destination due to the natural landscapes, particularly its long and beautiful coastline and lofty mountains. This half-day tour will take you to two wine producing estates – one of them located side-by-side to a fairy tale like Palace – where you will have the opportunity to taste some worldly awarded Muscat Wines.
Buddha Eden, Bombarral
The brainchild of the millionaire art collector José Berardo, the Buddha Eden was created as a response to the destruction of the Buddhas of Banyan in Afghanistan in 2001. This large sculpture park lies on the grounds of a winery and is the largest Asian-style garden in Europe. Stroll the garden’s 35 hectares of land, filled with monumental Buddhist statues, terracotta sculptures, and pagodas, among many other works of art. It’s a great place to relax, and there’s a wine shop where you can sample some wine.
Quinta da Bacalhôa, Vila Nogueira de Azeitão
Travel an hour south from Lisbon and you’ll discover Quinta da Bacalhôa. An innovative winery, palace and museum, with an astounding collection of contemporary sculptures and African art, Bacalhôa developed over the years a wide range of wines. The property stands on a former royal estate dating back to the 15th century, complete with a formal miniature maze, a large pond, and vines all within its walls. The tour ends with a wine tasting session.
José Maria da Fonseca Winery, Vila Nogueira de Azeitão
Also not far from the charming village of Azeitão, seek out the original headquarters of the José Maria da Fonseca Company. This family-owned company, run by the 6th generation, is the oldest producer of Muscat, the sweet dessert wine, as well as famous Periquita table wine. The tasting includes the visit to the manor house-museum, aging cellars, and at the end you are brought to the wine shop, where select products can be tasted and bought.
Quinta do Gradil, Cadaval
About 1 hour north of Lisbon is Quinta do Gradil. Dubbed one of the oldest wineries in the area, it once belonged to the family of Marquis of Pombal, the man responsible for rebuilding Lisbon after the devastating 18th-century earthquake. The setting is fabulous, with amazing views of the vineyards. During the tour, you’ll learn about the history of the location with a visit to the ruins of the palace and the chapel and sample wines from Quinta Gradil. The in-house restaurant serves a good range of upmarket local cuisine paired with their own wine, served by the bottle or by the glass. There is also a shop on site to stock up on after your visit.
Quinta do Sanguinhal, Bombarral
This traditional wine estate has been in the same family for 4 generations. Located just outside the small town of Bombarral, Quinta do Sanguinhal has a rustic, almost idyllic charm to it. Part of the tour takes place outside in the beautiful gardens leading to the vines. You’ll be shown through the barrel room where fortified wines are still made, and the antique distillery before a tasting session in the old pressing room. The tasting features seven wines as well as a selection of regional products – including some heavenly custard tarts -, and you may also combine it with lunch.
Adega Regional de Colares, Sintra
With its rolling hills and awe-inspiring palaces, the historic resort town of Sintra – 30 minutes outside Lisbon – seems to come straight out of a fairy tale. The wine industry is also thriving as a result of the region’s unusual wine, born of vineyards that grow in sandy soil on the coast, trained low to avoid the incessant wind that blows off the ocean. Local Adega Regional de Colares offers the opportunity to chat directly with the winemaker about one of the world’s singular wine regions and its wines, while enjoying them.
Adega Mãe Winery, Torres Vedras
About 40 minutes from Lisbon, it is an easy drive along the freeway into gorgeous wine country. Adega Mãe is a young winery, housed in a beautifully designed modern building, impressive in its simplicity and style, that fits in with the scenery and provides stunning views of the vineyards and surrounding hills. This family-run winery provides knowledgeable and enthusiastic tours about the history of the Adega and the process they use for wine-making, as well as a handful of wine tasting experiences.
Article Source: https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/best-wineries-near-lisbon
