Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
▲▲
QuintadoPanascal
—This wonderful
quinta
produces Fonseca—a name familiar to
port-lovers for its high quality. The affordable, tasty Bin No. 27 is their best-known ruby.
It's the only
quinta
that allows you to roam on your own through the terraced vineyards.
From the riverside road you'll side-trip up the valley of the Távora River. Venturing up the
rough gravel road, you'll feel like you are discovering a special, hidden gem. Yet upon ar-
rival, you'll enjoy the slick efficiency of a corporate producer (Fonseca also owns Taylor,
and is a port-wine giant). Because of its delightfully remote location, and because it gets
you out among the grapes, it's the best
quinta
tour on the Douro.
The tour is self-guided, so there's no wait once you arrive. You'll be given a 30-minute
audioguide and set free to wander through the vineyards and take in the sweeping views
(while listening to dry, humorless commentary about the history of port and of the com-
pany). Then you'll return to the lodge to watch a 10-minute video (which brings the oth-
erwise still fields to life) while tasting two ports.
Cost and Hours:
€3, April-Oct daily 10:00-18:00; Nov-March Mon-Fri 10:00-18:00,
Sat-Sun
by
reservation
only;
tel.
254-732-321,
