Lisbon is gearing up for the wine harvest season with recommendations for a series of treats for wine-loving visitors to the city. Located in the heart of a country where wine-making is a tradition, there is no better way to discover the capital city of Lisbon than through its wine and here Visit Lisboa (www.visitlisboa.com/) gives recommendations on how to do just that by following wine routes that takes visitors on a mesmerising journey of knowledge and taste, cultural wisdom and innovation among some of the Portugal's most beautiful landscapes.

The Lisbon wine region consists of the controlled designations of origin of Alenquer, Arruda, Bucelas, Carcavelos, Colares, Encostas d'Aire, Lourinhã, Óbidos and Torres Vedras with each bottle of wine produced telling a story of its own culture. Lisbon's vineyards have been sympathetically planted on terrain which meanders through plains, mountains and rivers, where traditional Portuguese and famous international grape varieties thrive in a myriad of soils, microclimates and topographies that lend themselves to the production of some of the best wines in the world.

On the Lisbon wine route, visitors set off to discover wine estates, palaces, museums, wineries, vineyards, grape harvests, walking trails, tasting rooms and specialised cellars, and can deepen their knowledge of the wine-making process by meeting wine producers whose experiences shape the landscape of Lisbon's wine region. From Lisbon to Oeiras, Colares to Mafra and Bucelas, passing through Azeitão, Palmela, Setúbal and Montijo, guests get to know the culture of the destination through enjoying the wines and getting to immerse themselves in the local culture.

Visitors to Lisbon between 29th August and 3rd September 2024 are also recommended to pay a visit to the annual grape harvest festival in Palmela “Festa das Vindimas” which is a celebration of the wine harvest, its history and the production process in the region. Other treats to try are a grape stomping session; the harvest is one of the most anticipated moments in the Lisbon wine region and visitors can join a range of programmes to enjoy a day of harvesting grapes in the capital's vineyards.

Other wine events taking place in and around the city are Essência do Vinho (Essence of Wine) held from November 9th to 11th, 2024 and Vinhos e Sabores (Wines and Flavour) held from October 19th to 21st, 2024. The Essence of Wine is part of a wider Portugal wine event and takes place at The Lisbon Congress Centre with commented tastings from national and international producers and a separate wine area where guests can decide which are the best wines.  The Vinhos e Sabor event is the biggest wine fair in Portugal and takes place at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa, in Parque das Nações, Lisbon. There are more than 7,500 m2 that accommodate almost 400 wine producers from all wine regions in Portugal. Over the 3 days of the fair, around 16,000 visitors are expected.

Visit Lisboa also recommends a visit to some of the city's points of interest for wine loves. The Vinha do Aeroporto/Parque de Lisboa is an area dedicated to raising environmental awareness and educating visitors about vineyards and wine and their importance in Portugal's traditions, culture and economy. Set in an area of 2 hectares with a view of the Humberto Delgado airport, this vineyard produces wine of the grape varieties of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Arinto.

Viniportugal's Wines of Portugal Tasting Room in Lisbon gives visitors a chance to taste wines from the country's various wine regions and is open between 12pm and 8pm every day of the week. Alternatively visitors can pop into Garrafeira Nacional which was founded in 1927 and has since become one of the most renowned experts in wine and spirits and displays some high quality wine products to delight enthusiasts. Outlets can be found at Santa Justa, Rua da Conceição and Mercado da Ribeira.

Also well worth a visit is the Museu do Vinho e da Vinha (the Wine and Vine Museum) in Bucelas, which is located within a building whose history is closely related to the wine tradition. The focus is on local history and the promotion of this territory, which has been a demarcated region since 1911, with its staple wine and the Arinto grape variety taking centre stage. As well as a diverse collection of artefacts and exhibits, there are also guided tours that explore the vineyards where guests can earn about the wine-making process. Bucelas is a small town 20 miles north east of the city that has a long tradition of producing renowned white wines. 

Other regions well-known for their quality wines include The Setubal Peninsula in Lisbon which has been used for wine growing since 2000 BC and is still known as the source for some of Portugal's very best wines. The region's mix of plains and mountains, and location close to the Tagus River and Atlantic Ocean give the wines their distinctive flavours, with the fortified Moscatel de Setubal a favourite to accompany Lisbon's delicious desserts.

Colares wine is produced from grapes grown in sandy soil on coastal vineyards that are protected from the sea winds by striking cane palisades. Colares wine takes at least 18 months, and often several years before it is ready, limiting production and adding to the wine's prestige. 

Carcavelos is a honey-coloured wine produced in the small area between Cascais and Oeiras in Lisbon, in the smallest wine region in Portugal. The wine traces its history back to the 18th century and is fortified with the famous brandy from Lourinha, making it another dessert favourite with Lisboetas.

For more information, ideas, and inspiration on visiting Lisbon, please go to www.visitlisboa.com. 

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Notes to editors

About Turismo de Lisboa

Turismo de Lisboa is a non-profit organisation established through an alliance of public and private bodies operating in the tourist sector. It has around 900 associated members. Since its inception in 1998, the main objective of this association is to improve and increase the promotion of Lisboa as a tourist destination and therefore enhance the quality and competitiveness of the city.

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