Harvest experiences not to be missed in Portugal

Harvest is happening right now, you do not want to miss your chance at taking part in one of these Wine XP unique experiences.

This article was written in collaboration with Wine XP and is published there in Portuguese and English. If you would like to learn more about them, please visit their website here.

Exciting times in the vines right now

The vines are alive with exciting energy right now.  Harvest season is fully underway throughout the country and you can almost taste the excitement.  This is a time to celebrate the hard work of the year and while harvest is a lot of work, it comes and goes very quickly and then the winemaking begins. We don't want you to miss out on this time of year in the vines, so we have put together a few unique experiences where you can take part in an actual harvest.  Some are better geared towards families and some are better as a corporate or big group outing, I let you know all about that below. Trust me when I say, there is a harvest experience for you to book but make sure to do it as soon as possible as we don't want to see you wait until this time next year to be a part of such an unforgettable experience. 

While each of these wine experiences in Portugal can be enjoyed by anyone, there are things to keep in mind when you book. Most experiences have a minimum of 2 people required to book. So, grab a friend, bring your family or even your coworkers and book your Wine XP unique experiences today.

Family friendly harvest days at FitaPreta

What sets FitaPreta apart from the other wineries is their unique kids' harvest experience. The kids' harvest day requires only a minimum of one participant to book and is a fun-filled 3 hour day at the winery to play while the adults put in some work.  This experience will make you want to be a kid again.  They get to explore the world of wine at FitaPreta through an interactive book where they even partake in a blind tasting of special "nectars" during a kid-friendly lunch. The fun doesn't stop there, they then go on a treasure hunt through the vines where they can pick grapes as part of their hunt.  Think that is all the fun to be had, think again, next up is painting with grape juice, sign me up, oh wait, this is only for kids up to 12 years old.  Do you have a little one that would love to do this, sign up here. 

Now onto the adult harvest experience. Your day consists of grape picking, sorting through grapes or taking on other winery tasks, like pumping-over or remontage. During harvest there is much to be done so the experience can change a little based on the day you book.  But trust me when I say, these experiences will make you appreciate the wine you drink in a way you never thought possible. After sampling some fermenting must (unfermented juice from crushed grapes), you'll enjoy a tasting of five FitaPreta wines. Lunch is served in the breathtaking courtyard of the Palace of the Paço do Morgado with the entire team.  You get a real hands on experience here, and if you are a little more adventurous, you can book their 8 hour day instead of the 4.5 hour day.  Book this curated wine experience with Wine XP here.  

Solo Harvest Experience at Quinto do Tedo

Here you will experience a harvest in the breathtaking Douro Valley with the owners and staff at Quinto do Tedo.  You'll get to handpick grapes and stomp them by foot in the traditional way. As you work, you'll learn about the different grape varieties used in their wines and the blending process for Tawny Ports. This interactive day also includes a traditional harvest snack, a group orientation session, and a tour of the winemaking facility.  This is a perfect experience for the solo traveler, there is no minimum of guests to book and children are welcome.  Don't delay in booking this experience as their harvest this year as it will be only be taking place September 4th, book here. 

Harvest experiences for two at Quinta Madre de Agúa and Quinta do Gradil

Quinta Madre de Agúa

Nestled in the stunning Estrela mountains of the Dão region, this beautiful winery offers another memorable harvest experience. Lasting 4.5 hours, it's perfect for those with kids in tow, as it’s a shorter day than some. Arrive at the winery at 10 in the morning to receive your harvest gear, then head out into the vines to hand-pick grapes. Afterward, step into the winery to help sort the grapes, or try your hand at the traditional method of foot treading. Of course no harvest experience is complete without a delicious lunch featuring local foods paired with their fantastic wines. This unique experience is for 2 or more people, perfect for couples or good friends, children are also welcome.  This is available only in September and must be booked in advance, so don’t wait and book here now. 

Quinta do Gradil 

During this experience you get to enjoy breathtaking vineyard and mountain views of the Montejunto hills in the Lisboa region. Your day will include grape picking, traditional foot treading, and a relaxing picnic among the vines after your hard work. The picnic features a variety of local specialty foods as well as their exceptional wines.  This is an unforgettable experience for couples, a little hard work, a private picnic in the vines and delicious wines.  There is a minimum of 2 to book this experience and children are welcome, so this experience can be turned into a family fun-filled day.  Book now as this is only available on 14, 21 and 28 of September, book here with Wine XP.  

Corporate and Group Harvest Experiences at Quinta do Boição, João Portugal Ramos and Ode Winery

Quinta do Boição

Grab your coworkers or friends and experience grape harvesting in the picturesque Bucelas area of the Lisboa wine region. Your group will get to be vineyard workers and winemakers for the day.  You will hand pick grapes in the vineyard and then take part in traditional foot treading together, a super messy but extremely rewarding thing to experience as a group. It's not all work, you get to go on an in depth winery tour and explore their barrel room. Followed by a workshop demonstrating the stages of winemaking for white, red, and rosé wines. This is a truly immersive day that ends with a buffet or picnic featuring DOP cheeses and Iberian ham, paired with four of their premier wines and since it is harvest, you will get to taste fermenting must at Caves Velhas. There is a minimum of 10 people, which makes it the perfect hands-on adventure for friends or coworkers to enjoy an unforgettable harvest experience.  Don't miss out, make sure to book this experience now with Wine XP here. Quinta do Boição also have a harvest experience on the 21 of September which is available for 1-2 people or smaller groups.

João Portugal Ramos

Start your experience with João Portugal Ramos on a panoramic city tour of Estremoz in the Alentejo wine region where you will then go to Vila Santa Winery.  Your real fun begins when you get to their vineyard and start hand picking grapes and the fun doesn't stop because you then get to partake in traditional foot treading in marble lagares getting a tiny bit messy and burning calories right before your amazing lunch. You'll get to also take an exclusive tour of the winery and cellars and learn about their winemaking processes. Now that you have worked up an appetite you will conclude your day with a harvest lunch, selecting from two truly delicious menu options and pair with some of their wines from Marquês de Borba, Vila Santa Reserva and Duorum LBV Porto.  The minimum for this group tour is only 4, so this is a perfect outing for a small group of friends or coworkers if getting more is too hard to commit to.  Book this experience with Wine XP here. 

Ode Winery

 Right outside of Cartaxo in the Tejo wine region you will start your harvest day at Ode Winery.  You are welcomed to the winery with a drink and then you dive into your day.  You'll learn how their entire process works so that it will help you understand how and why they hand-pick grapes and all of their winemaking processes.  You will then hand pick grapes in the vineyard followed by traditional foot treading and a visit to the winery.  After your hard day of work you will enjoy a lunch and wine tasting with local dishes and some of their fantastic wines.  This experience is for people 12 and up, children under 12 are not able to be a part of harvest days.  This is for groups of 10 or more and truly the perfect setting for a corporate outing or family excursion.  Make sure to book this exclusive tour as soon as possible with Wine XP here. 

All of these Wine XP unique experiences are only happening over the next 1-3 weeks. You will want to ensure you book as soon as possible, you don't want to have to wait until next year to partake in a harvest season.  These are just some of the harvest experiences you can book exclusively with us, make sure to check out our website for more here.