Grape Treading in the Douro Valley

Unforgettable Grape Treading Experience

Grape Treading- Credits Douro Wine Tourism

At a glance

Region:Porto and the Douro Valley
Type of Tour:
Duration:3 Days
Guide Price:From £553 to £553 per person
Number of Meals:2 breakfasts + 1 lunch + 1 dinner
Number of Winery Visits:1 winery for a full day harvest and grape treading experience
Number of Wines Tasted:Approximately 10
Tour Transport:Transfers to and from Régua station + all activities will then take place on-site
Dates / Availability:Available every September

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Trip Summary

For many wine lovers, seeing the process first-hand and tasting the end product just isn’t enough. And we completely agree with that sentiment! This exciting package gives you the unique opportunity to experience the real life of a wine-maker and take part in the fascinating and enchanting harvest. As one of the only wine regions in the world to continue to practice the grade trading tradition, you will also have the unique opportunity to get both your hands and your feet dirty, and make your own mark on this year’s vintage!

For those arriving in the Douro Valley by train, we will arrange for a driver to pick you up from Régua station and after checking in to your preferred room at the 4* Quinta da Pacheca wine hotel, the afternoon will be free to relax and enjoy your pleasant surroundings. In the evening, a four course welcome dinner with wines from the estate will be served in the on-site restaurant.

Grape treading- credits Douro Wine Tourism

On the morning of day two, please pack your bags and leave them in your room, as an incredible experience will await you at the end of the day (more about this later!) Your guide will then introduce themselves and provide you with the traditional harvester’s attire; a straw hat, tobacconist’s scarf, secateurs and a bucket. The harvest should never be undertaken on an empty stomach, and so the first part of the morning will be spent delighting in the traditional Mata-bicho, a meal of onion soup and baked sardines with corn bread and olive oil. This will also provide the opportunity to get to know your fellow harvesters over a first glass of wine.

You will then head off to the vineyards, where you will pick the grapes alongside the rest of the harvesting team. Here, you will gain a deep understanding of the work which goes on in the vineyards throughout the year, and the various wine-growing techniques employed by the estate. A fun and convivial harvest lunch with more wine will then be served. The afternoon will be spent enjoying a tour of the winery (with further tastings!), concluding with the magical opportunity to tread the harvested grapes in the traditional Lagares. Grapes are traditionally trodden to music, with linked arms, tuneful comradeship and glasses of Port.

Grape Treading
Grape Treading

And if you thought that the day couldn’t possibly get any more memorable, think again! Whilst you were labouring in the vines and Lagares, the reception team at the hotel will have transferred your luggage to your new home for your final night- a wine barrel! The Quinta’s five wine barrel suites provide an unusual and utterly idyllic setting for an unforgettable night amongst the vines.

After a leisurely breakfast (delivered to your barrel by golf buggy if preferred) and check out, you will be taken back to Régua station.

Grape Treading
Grape Treading

Region Map

Grape treading
Grape treading credits Fernando Peneiras

Outline Itinerary

Day One of your Grape Treading Experience

  • Upon arrival at Régua train station, a transfer will be arranged to the 4* Quinta da Pacheca wine hotel.
  • Here, check into your preferred room and spend the remainder of the day at leisure.
  • In the evening, a four course welcome dinner with wines will be served in the hotel’s on-site restaurant.

Day Two of your Grape Treading Experience

  • Your harvest tour day will comprise of:
  • A traditional Mata-bicho breakfast and glass of wine with your fellow harvesters.
  • Time spent in the vineyards with your bucket and secateurs, picking the grapes with the harvest team.
  • A convivial harvesters’ lunch with wines from the estate.
  • A tour and tasting at the winery.
  • Time spent in the traditional Lagares treading the grapes.
  • The evening will be spent overnight in a wine barrel suite!
Grape Treading
Grape Treading

Final Day of your Grape Treading Experience

  • After a leisurely breakfast and check out, you will be taken back to Régua train station.

Important information: Please note that the definitive dates of the Douro  harvest is entirely dependent on the weather. Harvest in the Douro Valley usually takes place in September, and the provisional dates are determined in June. However, in the case of extreme weather, the harvest dates can change (sometimes with just a few days’ notice). If this is the case, the winery will propose some alternative hands-on activities which will be equally enjoyable.

Port Wine Tasting Credits The Vintage House
Grape Treading

Accommodation

Wow what an experience! All perfect from start to finish!

Michael- Devon, UK

Package Prices

  • These prices are per person and based on two people travelling together and sharing a twin or double room.
  • These are realistic guide prices, based on travel in standard season (usually April to the end of October). Discounts often apply for travel out of season (usually November to the end of March) or if there are more than two of you travelling together. Please let us know your preferred travel dates for a definitive price.
  • Although we propose specific hotels as part of our standard packages, we enjoy excellent relationships and preferential rates at the majority of the hotels in each of our featured destinations. Therefore if you would prefer to stay in a different hotel, this can be arranged. Please contact us for the relevant supplements/discounts.
  • Other room grades are available at most of the hotels that we work with. Just let us know which hotel you prefer and we will send you the relevant supplements for the various room grades.
  • Single supplements and extra night prices are available upon request.
Hotel NameRoom GradeStar RatingDurationPrice Per Person
Quinta da PachecaStandard and Wine Barrel4*3 Days£553Book Now
douro wine tour- Credits Douro Wine Tourism

Enhance your Experience/Tour Upgrades

If you would like to make your Grape Escapes holiday even more special, there are a number of additional activities that we can arrange for you. To complement the experience, these could be arranged to fit in/around your current itinerary or we can arrange additional nights and room upgrades at your hotel, as well as your travel arrangements, a stop-over en route and even a visit to another part of the country! See below for some of the most popular upgrades.

  • Stay longer! Just let us know your preferred hotel and room grade, and we will provide you with the relevant supplement for extra nights with breakfast.
  • Additional tours and activities! We would be delighted to provide inspiration for more wine tours and cultural activities. The possibilities are endless!
  • Experience the region’s gastronomy. The wine regions are brimming with unique gastronomic dining opportunities and what better way to enjoy a glass than with a mouth-watering meal? We offer a variety of menus to suit every budget. Contact us for prices.
  • Tailor-made tour extensions. The team at Grape Escapes have travelled extensively in Europe, not just in the wine regions and can therefore recommend and arrange tailor-made tour extensions to other regions and cities, for example Paris in France or Bilbao in Spain.
Port Wine Tasting
Grape treading

Further Information

Travel to your Grape Treading Experience

Given the wide range of travel options, the package prices do not include travel to the Douro Valley. Please see our travel page for further information.

About Essential Breaks

For more information on our Essential tours please see our Essential Tours page.

Further Information / To Book

To secure your booking, a £100 per person deposit  is required. Your remaining balance will then be due 60 days before you travel. Please call us on +44 (0) 1920 46 86 66 or e-mail info@grapeescapes.net to request a booking form.

Grape treading- credits Villa Quaranta

"Really great trip with good vineyard choices and interesting wines."

Sarah- Cumbria, UK

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