Nestled in Lisbon's historic Cais do Sodré, the Corpo Santo Lisbon Historical Hotel offers an ideal base for exploring Portugal's rich wine culture. While the city itself boasts charming wine bars, venturing slightly further afield reveals two distinct wine regions – Setúbal and Colares – each offering unique tasting experiences. This guide provides practical insights for discerning travellers looking to discover Portuguese wines beyond the city limits.
The Setúbal Peninsula: A Close-Knit Wine Region
Just south of Lisbon, across the 25 de Abril Bridge, lies the Setúbal Peninsula, a renowned wine region celebrated for its sweet Moscatel de Setúbal and robust red wines, particularly those made from the Castelão grape. This area is conveniently close to Corpo Santo, making it a perfect half-day or full-day excursion. Driving from the hotel, you can expect to reach the heart of the region, around Azeitão or Palmela, in approximately 40 to 50 minutes. The landscape here is gently rolling, dotted with cork oak forests and vineyards that benefit from the proximity to the Atlantic and the Arrábida Natural Park. Prominent estates such as Bacalhôa Vinhos de Portugal and José Maria da Fonseca offer comprehensive tours and tastings, often including visits to their historic cellars and impressive art collections. These experiences typically delve into the region's viticultural heritage, explaining the unique terroir and winemaking processes. Expect to sample a range of wines, from crisp whites and full-bodied reds to the iconic fortified Moscatel. The most comfortable way to reach these wineries is with a private driver — we recommend our local partner Portugal Magik. Booking your tasting experience in advance is highly recommended to ensure availability, especially during peak season.The Historic Wines of Colares and Sintra's Charm
To the west of Lisbon, nestled near the magical town of Sintra, lies the diminutive yet historically significant Colares wine region. What makes Colares unique is its pre-phylloxera vineyards, where vines, predominantly the Ramisco grape for reds and Malvasia for whites, are planted directly into sandy soils. This protected them from the devastating phylloxera blight of the 19th century, making Colares one of the few places in the world where un-grafted European vines still thrive. The drive from Corpo Santo to Colares takes roughly 45 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic, and often involves passing through the picturesque Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. The Adega Regional de Colares is the primary cooperative winery in the region, offering an insightful look into this distinctive viticulture. Their tours explain the challenging, labour-intensive process of cultivating vines in sand dunes and offer tastings of their rare and often age-worthy wines. A visit here provides a fascinating contrast to the more conventional winemaking styles found elsewhere. Combining a wine tasting in Colares with an exploration of Sintra's palaces and gardens makes for a memorable full-day trip. Given the region's unique heritage, these tours are highly sought after, so securing your spot well in advance is advisable.Lisbon's Urban Wine Scene: Tastings in the City
For those who prefer to stay within the city's vibrant confines, Lisbon itself offers numerous opportunities to sample excellent Portuguese wines. From Corpo Santo Lisbon Historical Hotel, you are within walking distance or a short taxi/Uber/Bolt ride of several distinguished wine bars and shops that host regular tasting sessions. This allows for a more spontaneous approach to wine discovery, without the need for longer travel times. Areas like Chiado, Baixa, and Bairro Alto are home to establishments ranging from traditional 'garrafeiras' (wine shops) that offer guided tastings to contemporary wine bars with extensive by-the-glass menus. Garrafeira Nacional, for instance, is a historic wine shop near your hotel that frequently hosts informal tastings and boasts an impressive selection of Portuguese wines. Another excellent option is By The Wine, José Maria da Fonseca’s stylish wine bar in Chiado, offering their full range of wines alongside petiscos (Portuguese tapas). These urban experiences provide a convenient way to delve into Portugal's diverse wine landscape, perfect for an evening activity or a relaxed afternoon.For a truly memorable experience, consider combining a wine tour with a local culinary experience. Many wineries in Setúbal and Colares are near excellent traditional restaurants, offering the perfect opportunity to pair local wines with regional specialities.
Costs & Timing for Your Wine Adventure
Understanding the general outlay for your wine experience will help with planning. For winery tours and tastings in regions like Setúbal or Colares, pricing can vary widely from mid-range to premium, depending on the exclusivity of the tour, the number of wines sampled, and any included food pairings. Some smaller, boutique wineries might offer more intimate, bespoke experiences, while larger estates may have a range of options. Always check the official winery websites or contact them directly for current pricing and package details. For private transfers to and from the wine regions, pricing depends on factors such as group size, vehicle type, and the specific route and duration of your trip. We advise requesting a tailored quote from a reputable private driver service. In terms of timing, a visit to the Setúbal Peninsula or Colares typically requires a half-day to a full-day commitment, including travel time and a couple of winery visits. Urban wine tastings in Lisbon, on the other hand, can be as short as an hour or two, offering flexibility for a more spontaneous experience.Frequently Asked Questions
What's the closest wine region to Corpo Santo Lisbon Historical Hotel?
The Setúbal Peninsula, known for its Moscatel and red Castelão wines, is the closest major wine region, approximately 40-50 minutes drive south of Lisbon.
Can I visit a winery and Sintra in one day?
Yes, the Colares wine region is located near Sintra. It's feasible to combine a visit to Adega Regional de Colares with exploring Sintra's palaces and gardens on a full-day trip.
Do I need to book wine tastings in advance?
Yes, booking your winery tours and tastings in advance is highly recommended, especially for specific times, English-speaking guides, or during peak tourist seasons.
What type of wines can I expect in Setúbal?
The Setúbal Peninsula is famous for its sweet, fortified Moscatel de Setúbal, as well as robust red wines primarily made from the Castelão grape.
How do I get to the wineries from Corpo Santo?
The most comfortable and convenient way to reach the wineries outside of Lisbon is by booking a private driver. For urban tastings, walking, taxi, or Uber/Bolt are good options.
Are there wine experiences within Lisbon city centre?
Absolutely. Lisbon boasts numerous wine bars and shops, particularly in areas like Chiado and Baixa, offering tastings and a wide selection of Portuguese wines.
Is it possible to have lunch at a winery?
Some larger wineries offer dining facilities or picnic options. It's best to check with the specific winery when making your booking to see what culinary experiences are available.
What's unique about Colares wines?
Colares is unique because its vineyards are planted in sandy soils, which protected them from phylloxera. This allows for un-grafted, pre-phylloxera vines, mainly the Ramisco grape, producing rare and distinct wines.