Portugal’s Alentejo region is widely considered one of the finest anywhere in the world for wine production – and at its heart is its charming capital of Évora.
(Photo: Winalist.com)
There are a wide number of renowned vineyards and wineries dotted around the city’s rural parts, where visitors can join guided tours and learn about the history of wine-making, from the earliest methods to modern-day techniques. Many of them also house tasting rooms where you can sample some of the home produce and purchase bottles to take away with you. We’ve picked out 3 of the best Evora wine tastings and tours currently available.
Herdade Do Freixo Winery Tour
Located between Évora and Serra D’Ossa, the Herdade do Freixo winery invites visitors to venture underground, where the vineyard benefits from a total natural ecosystem without interference. Taking around an hour, tours of the site take place in the company of the resident team who will provide facts about the winery’s concept, architecture, production and wines. After a comprehensive look around, you’ll get to enjoy a tasting session comprising two premium wines that showcase the winery’s distinctive production techniques. From €20 per person.
Casa Relvas Winery Tour
(Photo: Winalist.com)
Situated in the small village of S. Miguel de Machede on the plains of Évora, and surrounded by the Pardiela River and a large forest of cork oak trees, the Casa Relvas winery produces 6 million bottles per year, spreading the best of Portuguese winemaking across some 30 countries. Tours last around 1.5 hours and are complemented by a tasting session featuring three different wines. During the tour, expert staff will tell you all about the fermentation process and the different Portuguese grape varieties. There’ll even be a chance to get hands – or feet – on by stomping grapes with your bare feet, as well as time to relax under a cork oak and enjoy the scenery. From €20 per person.
Full-Day Tour with Wine Tasting from Lisbon
(Photo: Celina Tours / Courtesy GetYourGuide)
A 1.5-hour drive east of Lisbon, Évora makes for a popular excursion for visitors to the Portuguese capital, offering a chance to escape the coast and see the distinctive landscapes of the country’s more rural areas. This full-day tour from Lisbon also includes a stop at several of Évora’s main attractions, plus a visit to a wine farm for a look around the facilities, with the option of a wine and olive oil tasting session for an extra charge at the end. As you explore the farm, you’ll discover fascinating facts about the wine-manufacturing process and the packaging of wine. The overall tour price includes a morning pick-up from your Lisbon hotel and a return transfer during late afternoon. From €124 per person.