7 Best Wine Regions in Portugal

The Douro Valley is one of the oldest wine regions in the world and creates a majestic ambiance, with vineyards spreading across steep cliffs that plunge to the winding banks of the Douro River.

The wild and untamed region is a dramatic paradise for wine lovers and culinary enthusiasts, making it a sensational spot for Portugal food and wine tours. With authentic character and charm, you can uncover traditional wine-making methods, enjoy fine wines, or simply indulge in the ambiance when sampling famous regional offerings like port.

The Alentejo region is a haven for wine and a paradise that captures the Iberian Peninsula’s sunlight. The spotless sky helps shape the flavor of wines nearly as famous as those of the Douro Valley, with vintners creating rich, smooth, and well-rounded products across eight sub-regions.

As the largest region in Portugal, the delectable wines only add to the surrounding wonders you can uncover, with access to historic towns, wild coastline, fairytale castles, and exceptional regional flavors produced from Alfrocheiro, Castelao, and Trincadeira grapes.

Not only is Lisbon Portugal’s capital city and one of the country’s best places to visit, it is also a fantastic wine-growing destination with nine sub-regions that capture a particular essence of the country’s character.

Many of the wineries in the region have changed with the advancement of technology, coupled with the efforts of oenologists to create high-quality regional favorites. The historic passion for traditional wines persists, but with endless possibilities, distinctive vines growing from coastal sands provide unique tastes, from Arinto and Fernao Pires grapes to Aragonez and Tinta Miuda.

Learn more: Lisbon Vacations & Tours

The Minho province is home to the famous Vinho Verdes, the green wine known for its flirtatious fizz and light body. The Green Wine Trail weaves around the region to visit various towns and wineries known for producing wines with little patience for aging.

With blissful sunshine, visiting Minho can immerse you in gorgeous estates, ruin-filled gardens, and medieval walls, all accompanied by refreshing wines that are perfect to enjoy in the country’s hidden gem on a seniors’ tour of Portugal.

Bairrada is a blend of local and international varietals for a combination that feels completely unique to a landscape that has shaped the vines and the gastronomy. The cuisine pairs perfectly with the wine for a mouthwatering blend of flavors you can only find in a region sculpted by mountains, Atlantic beaches, and a maritime climate.

Whether sparkling or tannic, Bairrada gives rich, dense, and fruity elegance to complex assortments, with the likes of local Touriga Nacional or international syrah inviting romantics to embrace the varied flavors on couples’ tours of Portugal.

Dão is not the most famous wine region in Portugal, but it is one of the oldest. The vines grown in higher altitudes create dynamic flavors shaped by the temperate mountain climate.

With noble Portuguese varietals, including Touriga Nacional, the queen of grapes, you can bask in the panoramic views during the best time in Portugal for wine tasting, while enjoying the inky red and aromatic wines that result in velvety smoothness.

The Atlantic island of Madeira is closer to North Africa than Portugal, but exemplifies a tropical paradise, with sensational scenery, great weather, and iconic fortified wine. The unique process of making Madeira only adds to the majestic property of a wine that can range from sweet to dry.

From its layered flavors to the island's volcanic landscape, stunning beaches to exotic fruits, you can find an entirely new ambiance in which to enjoy Portuguese wine.

Portuguese wine connects you to the heart of history, culture, and tradition in a single sip. Local wines can feel like undiscovered masterpieces hidden beneath the charms of antique architecture and delightful coastline.

Our travel specialists can customize your Portugal tour with experiences tailored to how you wish to explore, from visiting exclusive wineries to enjoying a cooking class with an award-winning chef. You can also find helpful information for your trip in our Portugal travel guide.