Representative photograph: Terraced vineyards in the Douro Valley, Portugal. Photo: mat's eye · CC BY 2.0
Day tripSignature
Douro Harvest Day
Pick grapes with the crew at a family quinta, then take a rabelo boat from Pinhão.
- Full day
- from Porto
- Harvest mid-September to early October; vineyard days April to November
- Up to 8 guests
Porto to the terraced heart of port country. At harvest you pick and carry grapes to the lagar; out of season the day becomes a vineyard walk and an olive-oil or almond tasting.
The hands-on moment
Pick grapes with the crew at a family quinta, then take a rabelo boat from Pinhão.
The day
08:00
Pick-up in Porto
Drive up the valley, with a stop at a miradouro over the UNESCO-listed terraces.
10:00
Harvest at a family quinta
Pick grapes alongside the vineyard crew and carry them to the lagar.
12:30
Lunch in the vines
Family recipes and the quinta's own wines, at a table on the terrace.
14:30
Rabelo boat from Pinhão
One hour on the river in a traditional port-wine boat.
16:00
A second estate
A contrast tasting: old tawny port against a modern Douro red.
19:00
Back in Porto
Signature upgrade
Join a short foot-treading of the grapes in the lagar, when the quinta still treads by foot.
When to go
Harvest mid-September to early October; vineyard days April to November
Good to know
Harvest dates move with the weather and are confirmed by the quinta a few weeks ahead. Children can join the picking.
Make it a weekend
Loved the day? Stay longer.
Walking weekSignature
Douro Valley Harvest Walk
Walk between quintas, join the harvest and stay among the terraces.
8 days, 7 nights · Porto and the Douro quintas · September to October (harvest), April to June
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