Porto is well known as an ideal destination for wine lovers thanks to its eponymous Port wine and its proximity to the Douro Valley, but beyond Portugal’s most famous wine region, there are other wonderful wines within easy reach. Just below the Douro lies the Dão region, a relatively undiscovered wine-producing area where a unique microclimate and centuries of winemaking tradition yield distinctive and robust wines that are frequently compared to Burgundy. Our private full-day excursion from Porto allows you to uncover the Dão wine region’s landscape, history and viticulture and taste some of its finest wines.
On your full-day excursion, you will:
- Spend a full day exploring the Dão Wine Region;
- Enjoy the undivided attention of your experienced local driver-guide;
- Start your adventure directly from your hotel in Porto with convenient pick-up and drop-off;
- Embark on a scenic route around the Dão region’s most spectacular landscapes;
- Learn more about the Dão’s distinctive geography and how it impacts the flavours and complexities of the wines it produces;
- Visit 2 different wineries to tour the gain insights into the Dão’s incredible viticulture;
- Experience both a traditional wine estate and an innovative modern winemaker;
- Taste some of the finest wines each estate has to offer;
- Explore the historic town of Viseu;
- Wander the charming medieval streets on a guided tour;
- Try the region’s renowned gastronomy with a traditional lunch at a local restaurant;
- Take in incredible mountain views on your way back to Porto.
Set out from Porto on a private full-day excursion into the heart of one of Portugal’s best-kept secrets: the Dão wine region. With your knowledgeable local driver-guide at the helm, you’ll travel through breathtaking countryside shaped by granite mountains, pine forests, and vine-covered slopes, discovering a land where tradition and innovation in winemaking flourish side by side. Your first stop will be a visit to a modern wine estate where cutting-edge technology and forward-thinking viticulture meet the ancient soul of the region. Here, you’ll gain fascinating insight into the current evolution of Dão wine, and sample elegant, mineral-driven whites and complex, structured reds that showcase the area's signature grape varieties like Touriga Nacional and Encruzado.
You will then make your way to the historic town of Viseu, once a Roman outpost and today a lively cultural centre nestled in the hills. On a guided walking tour, you’ll explore the charming old quarter, where cobbled lanes lead past Gothic churches, leafy squares, and noble townhouses that tell stories of centuries past. You’ll also enjoy lunch at a traditional local restaurant, where the region’s outstanding gastronomy, such as hearty mountain dishes, artisanal cheeses, and slow-cooked meats, takes centre stage.
After lunch, you’ll have the chance to visit a more traditional winery, where older vines and time-honoured methods continue to shape wines of extraordinary character. Walking through the cellars and vast vineyards, you’ll feel the weight of heritage in every step, culminating in a tasting of distinctive vintages that reflect the soul of the Dão.
As the day draws to a close, you’ll enjoy the serene views of the rugged mountainous landscape as upon a relaxed return to Porto. This is a carefully curated experience for travellers eager to go beyond the obvious, an immersive introduction to one of Portugal’s most authentic, refined, and quietly prestigious wine regions.
