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 food and wine tours.
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.
Below, we've listed some of the best wineries in the various wine regions around Lisbon. The area is the ideal grape-growing environment and many of the wineries in the area - ranging from ultra-modern to traditional - have won awards for their excellent and diverse wines.
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.
About 40 minutes from Lisbon, it is an easy drive along the freeway into the 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.
About one 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.
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.
Travel an hour south of 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.
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 the famous Periquita table wine. The tasting includes a visit to the manor house-museum and aging cellars, and at the end, you are brought to the wine shop, where select products can be tasted and bought.
Why book now your tour? Because by booking all your tours with us you will have flexibility in the future, plus all the COVID-19 Health & Safety Guidelines. Through these unique times, we are available to plan, reschedule, and move your trip around your needs, as always. If your new dates may no longer work with your initial travel plan, a dedicated consultant will be available to tailor and reschedule your time in Portugal according to your needs and preferences, and to assure you that you will have the best and most memorable experiences.
This article was originally published in 2018, and published and updated in 2022 so that all of its content meets our quality standards.