Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo is a magnificent heritage estate that runs for 1.5 kilometers along the banks of the Douro River. It was named after a small Carmelite chapel built in 1765, which protected cargo boats and sailors in the tricky stretch of water. One of the many thrilling activities you can try at the Winery House hotel is the traditional rabelo boats, which provide an excellent opportunity to see the terraced vineyards that slope down to the water’s edge, forming a classified UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Besides the rabelo boats, there are other thrilling activities such as sailing boats, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, flyboards, mountain biking, Jeep tours, classic car tours, private winemaking sessions, and picnics in the 120 hectares of vineyards. Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo offers an array of wines, including white, rosé, and red wines that champion single indigenous grapes and ports.
This heritage estate has some of the oldest and most treasured vines in the region, and it was previously owned by the Portuguese royal family until 1725. It also boasts its own Wine Museum Centre, where tours take visitors through the vineyards and winery, with tastings at the Patamar Wine Shop & Bar, which serves small plates alongside the wines and offers incredible views. The locally-inspired Terraçu restaurant provides a fine dining experience where multi-course tasting menus can be paired with the quinta’s wines.
Guests at the hotel stay in one of the 11 rooms in the main manor house, with breakfast served family-style around a large table. The estate has a pool nestled among old cypress trees and gardens, with a wine and tapas bar, while a raised terrace bar has a cigar menu exclusively for residents.
The estate uses traditional farming techniques such as using a horse and plough alongside modern technology in the winery. As a pioneer of planting single native grape varietals in the Douro, Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo offers an array of wines featuring star national grapes like Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, and Touriga Franca. Exemplary old vines are regenerated to keep the plants fresh, healthy, and productive for years to come.
