Winery of the Week: Quinta de la Rosa

Portugal is the dream wine destination full of possibilities. Today we bring you the continuation of the 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 de la Rosa.

Quinta de la Rosa, located in the heart of the Douro Valley, is one of the finest places for wine production. Established on the right bank of the Douro River, near Pinhão, it invites you to enjoy an exceptional experience.

The story goes back to 1906 when Claire Feuerheerd received Quinta de la Rosa as a christening gift. The unusual name is due to a sherry business in Spain from the family. Until 1988, the production of Quinta de la Rosa was sold to other houses, Sandeman and Croft, and as we say, the rest is history… La Rosa's modern history as a Port and Table Wine producer begins in 1988 when Sophia and her father Tim Bergqvist decided to start making wines and Ports for the market under the name Quinta de la Rosa.

Sophia Bergqvist and Jorge Moreira

La Rosa has 55 hectares of vineyards in Cima Corgo, mainly with a range of different altitudes: 7 ha at 100 m, 10 ha at 150 m, and the rest between 250 and 450 m. The higher you go, the colder it gets. At Quinta de la Rosa, in Pinhão, there are suites facing the Douro River, and meals (on request) are served in the living room of one of the farmhouses, where breakfast is also served. Despite having accommodation, the estate is open to anyone who wants to visit the cellar, where you can see how the production of La Rosa wine is made. In the end, after visiting the vineyards, you can also hike to the top of the hill and to the famous terraces of Vale do Inferno. Finish with a tasting of the nectars in the glass-enclosed room, overlooking the Douro River.

During the harvest, you can participate in the pruning and do the typical treading (traditional foot treading in the granite presses is carried out in the Ports of La Rosa). It is also possible to take walks with picnics and enjoy the pool when the weather is warmer.

On the Quinta, sustainable agriculture is practiced, and certified by the entities ADVID and SATIVA. While most of the Port wine production houses carry out the aging and bottling of the wines in Vila Nova de Gaia, Quinta de La Rosa decided to maintain these processes in the Douro.

Experiences and Tours to enjoy at Quinta de La Rosa

Visit and Lunch Wine Maker’s Selection

A visit to the winery and port cellars followed by lunch with a fixed menu (amuse bouche, main course & dessert) with tasting pours of La Rosa white, La Rosa Rosé, La Rosa Red & LBV.

Private Tour & Premium Wine Tasting

Private guided tour of Vale do Inferno vineyards followed by a visit to the wine and port cellars. During the visit, you will learn about the vineyards, port, and wine production processes as well as some of the family history.

Guided Tour + DOC Wine Tasting

Enjoy a guided tour of Quinta de La Rosa, and taste incredible wines such as the elegant and complex La Rosa White; the intense Quinta de La Rosa estate Red, with young aromas and balanced flavor; the hidden crown jewel, Passagem Reserve Red and also, the statement of Quinta de La Rosa's quality: La Rosa Reserva Red. 

7-Day Premium Tour in the Douro aboard a Private Yacht Cruise

After lunch, on the second day, you will visit and have wine-tasting at Quinta de La Rosa Winery. The winery was built in an unusual location, on a hill with steep stairs that connect the different levels besides the Douro River. Here is produced the wine that is provided to some of the most essential Restaurants and Retailers all over the world. 

Dinner will be served at Quinta de La Rosa. With fabulous views over the river, Quinta de la Rosa's Restaurant was opened in the summer of 2017. The philosophy of Cozinha da Clara is to serve local Portuguese cuisine at its best – simplicity is the key, including a touch of the family’s heritage, by adding some of Claire’s favorite recipes. The executive chef, Pedro Cardoso, has worked in the Douro for over 10 years. Using locally sourced products and vegetables from the garden, Chef Pedro has developed many of his recipes from the Tras-os-Montes.

5-Days Premium Tour in the Douro

Lunch at Quinta de la Rosa Restaurant. With fabulous views over the river, Quinta de la Rosa's Restaurant was opened in the summer of 2017. Named after the owner’s grandmother whose love of food and entertainment was legendary, the restaurant is called "Cozinha da Clara", literally meaning Claire's kitchen. The philosophy of Cozinha da Clara is to serve local Portuguese cuisine at its best – simplicity is the key, including a touch of the family’s heritage, by adding some of Claire’s favorite recipes. The executive chef, Pedro Cardoso, has worked in the Douro for over 10 years. Using locally sourced products and vegetables from the garden (named “Paradise” by Claire), Pedro has developed many of his recipes from the Tras-os-Montes.

3-Day Tour in the Douro Valley

Check in at Quinta de La Rosa Wine Hotel. Quinta de La Rosa was built in an unusual location, on a hill with steep stairs that connect the different levels besides the Douro River. The Bergqvist family has been making Port wine since 1815. 

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