Winery of the Week: Quinta da Pacheca

Portugal is the dream wine destination full of possibilities. Today we bring you a new series of articles that will help you to get to know all the details on some of the best wineries in the country and some offers of the most publicized and unmissable local experiences. Behold today's location: Quinta da Pacheca.

It is in a document of the 17th of 1738 that for the first time the Quinta is called "da Pacheca" because it is referred to as April D. Mariana Pacheco Pereira. But, in 1903, D. José Freire de Serpa Pimentel decided to develop his growing interest in enology, buying a property with the objective of dedicating himself to wine production. In June 2022, most of the capital was acquired by Maria do Céu Gonçalves and Paulo Pereira, a Portuguese businessperson based in France. The Quinta became part of an innovative, consistent, and developing business group, promoting a new cycle.

With the river half a dozen meters away, Quinta da Pacheca has become an authentic, award-winning hotel with all the features you would expect from a 50-hectare farm with a rich history of intimacy with the region. The typical 18th-century house maintains its elegant appearance, but the restoration is comfortable and sober. The decoration oscillates between the classic, with unique period pieces, and modernity, which manifests itself, above all, in comfort. The highlight of the Wine Barrels is suites shaped like wine barrels. The surroundings deserve special attention, serenity, and a unique stillness.

Of course, we had to dedicate a whole paragraph to the wine barrels, the pipas: huge wine barrels transformed into rooms. With a modern design and all the comforts in the world, staying in a barrel is a unique experience. The design really makes all the difference: every corner of the room was thought to be functional. The room has wardrobes, a shower, a separate bathroom, and a comfortable round bed. The place has two light entrances: a skylight that can be closed to sleep and a huge, giant round door that opens onto a small balcony. In this you can relax in Porto vineyard chairs while sipping a beautiful wine from the balcony, you can admire the view, and what a view it is!

When to visit Quinta da Pacheca?

There is no specific time to visit the Quinta, however, if you choose a month, in September – called the harvest season. This is where the grapes are harvested and there are several activities that you can participate in the region, from helping with the treading of the grapes.

Experiences and Tours to enjoy at Quinta da Pacheca

Picnic + Prova de Vinhos

Immerse yourself in the magnificent landscape and excellent cuisine, with your family or friends. Set off on an adventure between vineyards and vineyards and when you find your hotspot, spread out your blanket and taste the estate's delicacies. 

Guided tour + Wine Tasting + Cooking Workshop + Lunch/Dinner

Take a Cooking Workshop, given by the Chef of the Pacheca Wine House Hotel, is an excellent way to relax, learn and taste the richness of starters and snacks of Portuguese cuisine.

With this activity, it is intended for all the visitors to interact with the Chef, participate in the preparation of the chosen option, and learn or develop their knowledge of gastronomy. Afterward, customers will be able to taste the dishes prepared and will have the description for each option as an accompaniment.

Guided Tour + Premium Wine Tasting

You will be guided by the Quinta and you will get to know its history, as well as the wine-making processes of the wines of Pacheca. The guided tour at Quinta da Pacheca combines a visit to the Vineyards, "Lagares", the Old winery, a Wine cellar, and Premium range wine tasting with snacks.

Includes: tasting of premium wines: 2 Douro DOC Wines, 1 White and 1 Red & 2 Port Wines, 1 Vintage Port, and 1 Old Tawny Port. Accompanies with some snacks: crackers, dry fruits, and chocolate.

Harvest

Feel like a part of the Quinta da Pacheca work team in the grape harvesting; discover the secret of the wines from its first moment. Participate in this unforgettable event. Or feel as a part of the Douro, discover the gastronomy and the life experience of this region in detail.

7-Day Premium Tour in Porto and Douro

You will discover Quinta da Pacheca Cellar on the second day. The Quinta stands out for having been the first to bottle wine under its own brand. The first reference to the Quinta is in a document dated 17th April 1738, where it is called "the Pacheca". Enjoy the guided visit to the Vineyards and cellar with a wine tasting of Douro and Port wines. After the visit, delight yourself with the delicacies that the Wine House Hotel has for your Lunch, led by the Chef of the Quinta da Pacheca Wine House. You will have a Traditional Cuisine Workshop. With this activity, you are expected to interact with the Chef participating in the preparation of the chosen option, learning or develop your knowledge of the Portuguese culture through gastronomy. Enjoy the tasty labor of love you just performed.

5-Day Tour in the Douro with a Sailing Cruise in the Douro River

Visit Quinta da Pacheca, one of the most emblematic and historical properties located in the Douro. This Quinta has references to it since the 1700s. Quinta da Pacheca stands out for being the first to bottle wine under its own brand. Here you will get to know its history better as well as the olive oil production processes directly at the Lagares, and the winemaking processes of Quinta da Pacheca’s wines. Stroll the vineyards, breathe Douro Valley’s green nature and join the wine tasting of 2 table wines and 2 Port wines to end this tour in perfection. 

3-Day Tour in the Douro with a Cruise in the Douro River

After the check-in, you will be guided to the Quinta da Pacheca Winery. Quinta da Pacheca, one of the most known properties of the Douro, stands out for having been the first to bottle wine under its own brand. The first reference to the Quinta is in a document dated 17th April 1738, where it is called "the Pacheca" because its owner was then D. Mariana Pacheco Pereira. But it was only in 1903 that D. José Freire de Serpa Pimentel decided to develop his growing interest in enology, acquiring the property in order to devote himself to wine production. You will learn about the history, the vinification processes, the vines, the old winery, and the wine cellar, ending with a wine tasting.

One Day in the Douro with a Douro River Cruise

A guided visit where you will have the opportunity to know the history, as well as the wine-making processes of the wines of Pacheca and a wine tasting. After the wine experience, you will enjoy lunch at Quinta da Pacheca Restaurant which offers a touch of luxury and gourmet and a search for constant quality, while keeping the true essence of the traditional Portuguese cuisine. Always prepared with fresh products of the land, the restaurant dishes are a real temptation. The quality of this cuisine, famous throughout the Douro region, makes the restaurant of Quinta da Pacheca the Ex-libris of the estate, a warm and relaxing place with a view over the Douro and the vine terraces, completed by the comfort of a typical fireplace.