The Colares wine region near Sintra stands as one of the world's oldest and most unique wine-producing areas. It ranks as Portugal's second-oldest demarcated wine region, tracing its roots back to Roman occupation. The vineyards, nestled in the sandy coastal dunes, endure the challenging Atlantic winds, a feature that spared them from the phylloxera louse devastation that ravaged European vines in the 19th century.
Despite its small size, Colares wine gained popularity due to its scarcity and exceptional quality. However, the labour-intensive process of cultivating and training vines in this rugged terrain led to a decline in production, with vineyard acreage dwindling from 2,500 in the 1940s to just 50 today.
Yet, the wines produced in Colares remain highly esteemed for their distinctive character and superb quality. Reds, known for their acidity and tannins, undergo years of ageing before hitting the market. Efforts are underway to revive the industry, with new vineyards emerging in land in competition with the development of tourism.
Combine cultural delights with delicious bites on a Sintra tour with a difference. Rather than just visiting the traditional Sintra sights, you’ll visit a winery and sample local wines without worrying about driving afterwards. You will also discover local delicacies that you might otherwise miss during lunch at a Portuguese restaurant. Indulge in Sintra's food and wine scene on this private tour from Lisbon. Relish the flexibility to tailor and tweak your itinerary to suit your requirements. Stress-free hotel pickup and drop-off are also included. Let someone else drive whilst you soak up the scenery.
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After the Hotel pick-up from Lisbon, you'll enjoy a tour of Sintra town, Cascais and the coast along with monuments, places of interest with an explanation of regional history. Included in the price is the entrance to Pena Park and Palace along with wine tasting at the Adega Regional de Colares. The tour lasts for about eight hours.
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Visit Sintra by private car in the best company, with free time to get to know a more romantic Portuguese village with, the wine tasting is at the Adega Cooperativa De Colares, the oldest in the country, just 20 minutes from Sintra. You will taste regional wines and also visit the winery and bottling area for Sintra wines, as well as the beach and clay soil vineyards. After the wine tasting, we will visit Cabo da Roca, the most westerly point in Europe.
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Retaining some of the oldest private wine cellars in the Colares denominated region in the village of Azenhas do Mar António, Bernardino da Silva Chitas set up the Beira Mar in around 1900AD. The company continues age-old traditions of producing Colares wines and today they are the only Colares producer who is exporting internationally. Visits should be pre-booked in advance, there are guided tours available and an on-site shop.
Weekdays: 08h00 - 12h00/14h00 - 18h00, Closes at 17h00 on Fridays. Weekends: CLOSED
António Bernardino Paulo da Silva, 70 - 74 Av. Luís Augusto Colares, Azenhas do Mar, 2705-106, Colares, Sintra, Portugal.
38º 50" 06.3' N | 09º 27" 57.9' W | +351 219 292 036 | adegasbeiramar@gmail.com
The Colares Regional Wine Cellars is a cooperative founded in 1931 which currently produces over 50% of the region's wines and are supplied by 90% of the area's producers. This cooperative has played a massive important social role in the regions agricultural sector for over 75 years. It produces wines from the Colares Protected Designation of Origin, regional Lisboa wines and non-classified table wines. The original building is still in use and it looks impressive both from the outside and inside due to its sheer size. The main building houses a vast number of huge vats where the cellar's wines are aged. Visits and guided tours are available by pre-booking using the following contact details. The Adega Regional de Colares winery is within easy reach of Sintra, the bus numbers #439 and #441 stop right outside, as does Sintra's old tram.
Weekdays: 09h00 - 13h00/14h00 - 18h00, Saturday: 09h00 - 13h00, Sundays: CLOSED
Adega Regional de Colares, 32 Av. Coronel Linhares de Lima, Colares, 2705-351, Sintra, Portugal.
38º 48" 21.2' N | 09º 26" 59.2' W | +351 219 291 210 | geral@arcolares.com | Website
Located in the village of Almoçageme Viúva Gomes is one of the oldest cellars producing Colares wine. Viúva Gomes & Filhos became famous in 1915 when it won first prize at the Panama-Pacific International Exhibition and was the main supplier of wine for the troops serving on the Western Front during World War One. In 1989 the company was bought by Jacinto Lopes Baeta & Filhos who implemented a new marketing strategy for the wine. There's a shop on-site and prior booking is required for visits at designated Open Days.
Wednesdays: 11h00 or 15h00, First Saturday of Each Month: 16h00
2 -3 Largo Comendador Gomes da Silva, Almoçageme, 2705-041, Colares, Sintra, Portugal.
38º 47" 44.3' N | 09º 28" 13.4' W | +351 219 290 903 | info@adegaviuvagomes.com | Website
Inspired by the global success of Colares wine the Viscount of Salreu built a huge cellar of his own in 1921 in the village of Banzão. The remarkable building was designed by Norte Junior who drew inspiration from regional styles and the façade can be seen from the road that links Colares to Praia da Maçãs. It consists of two parallel blocks which form a pair of structures. The winery is currently owned by the Chitas family. Call them for details about booking a visit and wine tasting.
Weekdays: 08h00 - 12h00/14h00 - 18h00, Closes at 17h00 on Fridays
5 - 17 Av. do Atlântico, Banzão, 2705-137 Colares, Sintra, Portugal.
38º 48" 23.1' N | 09º 27" 03.3' W | +351 219 292 036
This winery dates back to the beginning of the 18th century, the main house was built in 1720 and is a survivor of the 1755 earthquake due to the granite bedrock. The vines have recently been replanted after a 100-year break in production. Casal Santa Maria prides itself as being mainland Europes most westerly vineyard. The wine produced here varies from being of regional varieties to more international and a break from tradition. The quality of the wine produced is mainly accounted for by the rich soil, sea breezes and temperate climate leading to wines being very aromatic, fresh, mineral, elegant and balanced, with a singular, strong salty touch. Some of these wine are complex and show great potential for ageing. Tours are welcomed by appointment and come with sea views as standard.
Monday - Friday: Classic tour, Every Day: Premium Tour
18 -20 Rua Principal Casas Novas, 2705 - 177, Colares, Portugal
38º 47" 37.1' N | 09º 27" 44.3' W | +351 219 292 117 | geral@casalstamaria.pt | Website
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