Wine Experience in Bacalhoa (Half Day)

Much has been written about Palácio and Quinta da Bacalhôa, but the conclusion is always the same: it’s a Masterpiece.
Renowned Portuguese and foreign historians have spent countless hours piecing together a life that spans over 400 years.

It has been a tireless investigation of documents spread across the lives of different men. In addition to scientific research, many popular tales were told, which, over time, have provided us with legends that still hold true today… And thus the history was retold and rewritten, beginning with the founders of the Aviz Dynasty, discoverers of the world, who later crossed with descendents of Brás de Albuquerque, son of the great conqueror of the Indies.

The prosperity that the Portuguese enjoyed over the years of their fantastic adventures in uncharted waters, allowed these Men, who owned half the world, to safeguard, as never before, the arts in Portugal. There was a succession of them at Bacalhôa, inspired by their journeys across Europe, Africa and the Far East, or simply in the spirit of Maecenas, surrounding themselves with artists who influenced the architecture of the palace, its decoration and the gardens, helping it become the precious and inimitable place it is today.

Historical accounts have always made reference to vineyards at the Quinta. However, the real history of this great red wine begins in 1974 with the planting of a vineyard that possessed a similar vine selection to that of Bordeaux. The first harvest, launched on the market in 1979, produced one of the most sought after Portuguese wines and helped to reinforce the fame of the already exemplary Quinta da Bacalhôa.

This experience includes a visit to both the palace of bacalhoa and the cellar/museum of bacalhoa, ending with a wine tasting.

Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes

Situated in the Nature Reserve of the Serra da Arrábida, the Azeitão area includes various characteristic villages, in particular Vila Fresca and Vila Nogueira , which adopted the names of the quintas (country houses/estates) around which they developed.

Vila Fresca de Azeitão grew up around the Quinta Fresca, where King Dom João I founded a palace in the 15th century, later known as the Palácio da Quinta da Bacalhoa, from the nickname of one of its owners, a name that has survived up to the present day.

Vila Nogueira de Azeitão developed around the Quinta da Nogueira, the property of Dona Constança, wife of King Pedro (14th century). The village grew and was raised to the category of town and seat of the council in 1786, a category it lost in 1855.

Several aristocratic families made this delightful region, of great natural beauty, their summer residence. They built fine country houses and mansions, such as the Quinta das Torres (now converted into an inn or country house hotel), and the palace of the Dukes of Aveiro, which is built in pure Renaissance style.