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Quinta da Pacheca is one of the most prestigious and recognised properties in the Douro Demarcated Region. It became popular for its wine house hotel**** where you can sleep at a wine barrel. But that’s not the only reason why it’s so recognised! The quality of its wines combined with a complete and authentic wine tourism experience, has given them several national and international awards including the “Best Wine Tourism” award. According to our tour guide, Quinta da Pacheca received 80,000 visits in 2022. Try to stay sober ? as I tell you about our Winery Tour Experience at this fantastic place.
Winegrowers since 1738
One of the things that impressed me the most was the story of Quinta da Pacheca. The history of the vineyard dates back to the XVI century when it was a collection of vines that belonged to the Monasteries of Salzedas and St. João de Tarouca. The name “Pacheca” comes from an imposing woman who owned the property – Da Maria Pacheco Pereira.
Quinta da Pacheca was one of the first properties to bottle wines under its own brand!
Pacheca Winery Tour Experience
I have always wanted to visited “Quinta da Pacheca” and I new little from its wines and history, except that It has great reputation and marketing. As a Portuguese woman coming from a family that also produces wine, I was curious to see what it had to offer. That lead me to book a winery tour (1-2 hours) with one of the most empathetic tour guides I ever met.
The visit started in the winemaking cave where they store the wine barrels and upstairs where the wine is produced. We were lead to know more about the richest story of Quinta da Pacheca and how the project has evolved to become a wine tourism business. In addition to the winemaking operations and selling, the project also includes a 4* hotel, guided tours and a wine store where they make 80% of their wine sales.
This investment strategy has been conducted by two dynamic families of Paulo Pereira and Maria do Céu Gonçalves, partners with a long and successful record in international food and wine distribution. The focus was clear, enhancing the quality of wines and invigorate the wine tourism in an increasingly sought region and recognised as a destination of excellence.
Wine Tasting – World Class Wines
After the caves, and because it was raining, we went on straight to the wine store to do the wine tasting with cheese pairing. We were presented with five types of wine: PACHECA VALE DE ABRAÃO (red), PACHECA LAGAR Nº 1 (red), PACHECA BRANCO (white), and PORTO’s PACHECA VALE DE ABRAÃO VINTAGE and PACHECA PORTO TAWNY 10 ANOS.
All of them were amazing and you can find these exclusive wines in their store or specific stores only. My favourite was LAGAR Nº 1 Douro D.O.C (touriga nacional and touriga franca) as it has salient notes of ripe black fruit, chocolate and a long persistent finish.
What are the different Port Wine types?
Port Wine, produced in the Douro demarcated region, is well none globally, but do you know its different designations? There is Ruby, Tawny, Vintage and LBV. The differences rely on the type of ageing.
A Ruby Port is a wine with exactly the hue of a precious ruby, reddish. This wine only ages between 2 to 3 years in oak barrels. Since there is not much contact with the wood and oxidation is low, Ruby Port preserves precisely the original taste. A fruity and young wine. As its evolutionary capacity is not very great, it should be opened between 3 and 5 years after bottling.
Tawny Port wine, after aging in oak barrels (between 2 and 3 years), is transferred to French oak barrels. Consequently, and because it has greater contact with wood, it ages more quickly. And, contrary to what happens with Ruby, it undergoes high oxidation, which means that it has a more complex flavor of dried fruits, such as figs or walnuts. This is a less intense and sweeter wine, where the presence of wood is noted. Also opposite to Ruby, Tawny’s evolutionary capacity is high, being able to age in the bottle for decades.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of each wine is your favourite, the truth is that there is nothing like getting to know Douro to understand all the beauty of Port Wine, other wines and the people who make it. Thus, Quinta da Pacheca is the perfect excuse to visit Douro, specially if you are a fan of wine tourism. In the heart of the Douro region and surrounded by grounds with vineyards, this luxurious Wine House in Lamego will make the delights of the enthusiasts of wine.
Also read: Quinta da Pacheca Wine Hotel: The ultimate wine lover’s escape