What better getaway than a wine hotel & spa in Portugal
Torre de Gomariz Wine & Spa Hotel
Many people visit Portugal and travel to the Algarve, Lisbon and Porto. While I will never judge anyone for where they like to vacation, I will chime in that if you only go to those three spots, you essentially have missed most of the beauty that Portugal has to offer. Rent a car and travel to smaller cities and towns.
Torre de Gomariz
Torre de Gomariz Wine & Spa Hotel is nestled in the stunning little country parish of Cervães in Vila Verde, Portugal. Located just north of Braga, the hotel makes for a perfect place to stay if you want to do day trips into Braga but don’t want to stay in the city. In light of the upcoming romantic holiday, I couldn’t think of a better place to tell you about.
Now, I may not have visited on Valentine’s day, but I did have what I deem a romantic getaway. Walking amongst dormant vines, exploring moss filled woods and indulging in delicious food and wine. That is all pretty romantic to me.
A very brief history
The Tower of Gomariz, was built in the late 15th century. Its gothic splendor fits right in with the nature that surrounds the estate as if it has been there forever. The chapel across from the tower was built in the 18th century as well as the main building attached to the tower. Towers like this one were built as defensive structures for people to hide in if they were under attack. They also were used to send smoke signals to other towers as a warning system. Today, you can stay in the the tower and imagine what that must have been like.
The estate has been owned by the same family since the early 20th century. They had it refurbished in 2015 by the design and architect team of Paulo Braga + Cristina Amaral. I believe they did a remarkable job maintaining the feel of the past while welcoming the future through modern lines and building materials.
There is beauty in every square inch of the estate. Even in the winter, when the grapes are dormant and the tourists aren’t as prevalent, the allure is everywhere. The beauty also resides indoors here. With a stunning spa and heated indoor pool to rest and reset the body, it makes indulging in their wine and food even better.
Gomariz Restaurant
The restaurant here is a truly special place. Probably one of the best meals I have ever had, so I had it two nights in a row. From the welcome wine straight through to dessert, absolutely every bit was perfection. You get Michelin quality food and presentation with a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, no pretension here. My one tip to everyone is don’t skip their couvert and of course always have dessert.
What I love most about the restaurant is that the entire menu pairs with their wines perfectly. But they also have other lovely wines to pair with their dishes if you want to explore them as well. My favorite wines from Torre de Gomariz are their rosé blend and the Loureiro. Each are really lovely wines for any occasion, with or without food. They really encapsulate the flavors of the Vinho Verde region for me.
Depending on what time of year you visit, there are various experiences offered. From athletic options for those that want to move their bodies to wine tasting and even picnics for those that want to take it slow. Don’t forget their Camellia Spa, the treatments are fantastic. If you aren’t up for a treatment, you can just relax in their heated indoor pool and sauna.
Although there are endless things to do at the hotel and around the property, the distance to Braga is only a short 20 minute drive. If you want to do a little more sightseeing during the day, the city has some incredible sites to see. If you do venture to Braga for the day, do not miss out on dinner at Torre de Gomariz, it is magical.
A note about wine tourism
Wine tourism, also called enotourism, is tourism that revolves around the wine industry. This can include everything from wine tastings, vineyard tours, walks and picnics in the vineyard, cellar tours, wine hotels and spas, or you can even take part in harvest. This industry is part of the future of the Portuguese economy and hopefully how most vineyards will offset the costs that hit them combating climate change.
Tourism in Portugal, according to the Secretary of State for Tourism, Trade and Services Nuno Fazenda, was up to €25 billion in 2023 from just over €21 billion in 2022. This is a figure that steadily has been rising for Portugal and I hope continues to rise. There were over 30 million travelers that entered Portugal in 2023. As Lisbon and Porto keep ranking as top places in the world to travel, the Portuguese are finding that enotourism has a real place in their economy.
Okay, sorry to bore you a little at the end. To make up for it, enjoy this gorgeous video about Torre de Gomariz!
We're always looking for interesting and less touristy places to explore in Portugal. Thank you for the post! This is a place we'll definitely check out!