Bucelas EN Article Count: 0
Lodging Article Count: 2
After (re) discovering all the wonders of the municipality of Loures, you could rest to reset your energy in one of the available local accommodation and continue the exploitation of this magnificent land.
Wineries and Producers Article Count: 8
The wine route of Bucelas, Carcavelos e Colares is already a classic in the county of Loures. Established in 2003 to publicize the winemaking tradition of a region that has a set of favourable factors to boosting wine tourism, this route is still a good excuse to taste the famous wine from the Demarcated Region of de Bucelas and to visit the producers associated with the project: the Municipality of Loures and eight producers (bottlers) of Bucelas’ wine: Enoport United Wines; Wine Ventures – Quinta da Romeira; Chão do Prado; Couteaux da Murta; Boas Quintas; Quinta Nova de Bucelas; Monte do Roseiral e Quinta das Carrafouchas.
By participating in this route, you can: visit the wine production farms existing in Bucelas parish; know a little more about the vineyards; visit some cellars and wineries; participate in wine tasting and even take with you, as a souvenir, the so called “nectar of the gods”.
On the way, the heritage and gastronomy are also highlighted, which allow participants to better understand the place, its people, developing and generating, this way, wealth in the regions.
Gastronomy Article Count: 5
Gastronomy is an important element which characterizes the ethnography of saloia region. People who took their livelihood from land, including fruit and vegetables, have created true gastronomic treasures by using the products they cultivated and supplied the markets of Lisbon. Apart from land cultivation, the saloios integrated yet hunting products, fishing and herding and they supplied the capital with meat and dairy. Thanks to this variety of local resources saloia’s cuisine is so rich and tasty.
Other Members Article Count: 7
Carcavelos EN Article Count: 0
Lodging Article Count: 1
When someone visit us he will notice that history is all around us, and he is wrapped in elegance and glamour. This heritage and legacy from the past, creates the identity of each secret place, and combines a service of excellence, where any detail is not forgotten, whether you are enjoying your holidays alone, as a family, or in business. The hotel offer in Oeiras is modern and growing. There is a high quality service to all who stay in the municipality, which has a youth hostel, a holiday Centre - INATEL, a 2 star hotel, two hotels with 3 stars, five hotels with 4 stars, one 5 stars hotel, and two guest houses. Soon there will be another hotel.
wine Cellars and Producers Article Count: 2
After years and years of inertia and apathy, it was in the 1980 that Ribeira de Caparide, Pesos and Samarra farms began to produce Carcavelos wine again and, because of that Cascais City Council decided to include those farms in the municipal heritage portfolio. In the other hand, the municipality of Oeiras has invested considerable funds in the preservation and maintenance of the existing vineyard on old Marquis de Pombal farm (Quinta de Cima) on new plantation area, and in the recovery of cellars. As a result of this investment, Carcavelos wine increased its production. Currently, in addition to the municipality of Oeiras, there is also another producer: “Quinta dos Pesos” which - as "Villa Oeiras" – is a wine internationally awarded.
Quinta do Barão is one of the most iconic brands of the historical legacy concerning the Carcavelos wine production in the region. Today, although this farm disappeared, is still possible to find a few bottles of “Quinta do Barão” through the Agricultural Company of Sanguinhal. On the other hand, concerning Quinta da Ribeira de Caparide, property of the Patriarchate of Lisbon, we do not have accurate information.
Gastronomy Article Count: 2
If your are fond of gastronomy we give you the opportunity to experience unforgettable moments.
The proximity to the sea and mild weather, combined with the gastronomical tradition, makes a statement in the region, based on a wide variety of fish and seafood, toped with delicious and unique desserts.
It is really easy to select a restaurant, among the large offer available. From the most refined to the most popular, you won’t be disappointed on how diverse our cousin presents itself. It will certainly surprise you.
Wines Article Count: 1
Wine has a long history dating back at least to approximately 6000 BC. We do think that wine has been originated in the present territories of Georgia, Turkey or Iran. It is believed that its appearance in Europe was approximately 6500 years ago, where nowadays Bulgaria or Greece are located. Wine was very common in ancient Greece and Rome and in the history of mankind has played an important role. Also, since ancient times, wine is linked with the various religions. The Greek god Dionysus and the Roman god Bacchus represented wine, and the wine has a central role in Christian and Jewish religious ceremonies such as the Eucharist and the Kiddush.
Wine Route Article Count: 2
In the 14th century, sealed documents with the royal stamp, referred already “those well-kept vineyards of Oeyras". Then, in the 18th century, with Sebastian José de Carvalho e Melo, 1st count of Oeiras and Marquis of Pombal later, Carcavelos wine had a refined production. At the end of this century, “Carcavelos” was a prestigious wine and a very well-known wine for european elites. It was exported, especially through England, for markets such as North America, India and Australia. Law's letter of September 18 1908 defines the region demarcated of Carcavelos, formed by the parishes of S. Domingos de Rana and Carcavelos, in the municipality of Cascais, and part of the parish of Oeiras. Along it’s history, the Carcavelos wine had some setbacks because of vineyard pests. Associated with these, emerged in the second half of the 20th century the need to develop and with it the plague of property speculation that almost extinguished this excellent wine.
In early 1980, the Ribeira de Caparide, Pesos e Samarra farms, restart productive practice, and the municipality of Cascais recognized that effort and included these farms in Municipal Heritage Inventory. In the other hand, the municipality of Oeiras has invested considerable funds in the preservation and maintenance of the existing vineyard on old Quinta do Marquês de Pombal (Quinta de Cima) on new plantation area and in the recovery of the cellar.
The "Carcavelos" is fortified in large part with the famous Eau-de-vie da Lourinhã and integrates with the "Port", "Madeira" and the "Moscatel from Setúbal", the restricted group of 4 liqueur wines/generous Portuguese. In this moment there are 2 (two) producers, with the total area of vineyards 25 ha (Quinta do Marquês de Pombal of 12.5 ha.)
The production volume reached in 2015, as the white wine 60,450 liters. 2016 production was about 33,200 liters.
Outlets and Wine Tasting Article Count: 1
It´s really amazing to visit one of the places where Carcavelos wine is produced. It´s on the grounds of the former National Agronomic Station. Everyone can visit the 18th century cellar, either, which will be a great experience. An experience around flavors and sensations. In fact, it is a pleasant walk that will cover two wineries and a vineyard in an urban area. Visitors could proof three types of this "generous" - a combination of Arinto, Galego Dourado and “Ratinho” varieties. It should be noted that this wine has received numerous national and international awards.
Monuments Article Count: 1
Established in 1908, the Demarcated Region of Carcavelos is one of the oldest in the country.
It was created during the post phylloxera period. The main goal, from the producers at that time, was to bring Carcavelos Wine to its former glory, when the Marquis of Pombal stablished his production, which has had an international expression.
Carcavelos receives the designation of “Generoso', as a symbol of its antiqueness and as a sign of quality. It describes a fortified white wine, with a full body, an unique characteristics, due to lucky mixture of elements: unique varieties, weather, soil, aging, and of course, the influence of Men.
Being one of the smallest DOC in the world, the Carcavelos Region sets in the municipalities of Oeiras and Cascais. There are 25 hectares of vineyards planted, located only 20 minutes away from Lisbon.
“Cascais and Oeiras Municipalities are the extension of the coast line, starting in Lisbon till its very end, in Cabo da Roca”.
These are lands of countrymen and fishermen. But for many centuries there was a stablished sociability between nobility and the Lisbon bourgeoisie as well, which owned properties and Leisure Estates in this region. In fact, Summer trips to the countryside where very common back in those days. And this is the homeland of Carcavelos Wine. A territory linked to a rich and eclectic heritage, that is waiting for you visit.
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Other Members Article Count: 11
To operationalize and manage the Wine Route of Bucelas, Carcavelos and Colares, requires, first and foremost, a good information and promotion on their territories, on their wines, producers, oenologists, and on all those who are interested in what nowadays is known as "enoturístic product". Actually, the question it's not just about selling wine. It's much more than that, because the wine tourism is at the moment a tourist sector in which the wine is the motto. The wine is the excuse to generate new dynamics that may have impact on local economies.
Colares EN Article Count: 0
Lodging Article Count: 29
True to the Portuguese tradition of hospitality, Sintra can offer a wide range of accommodation.
For an enjoyable visit, one has the choice of staying at a sophisticated hotel, a small boutique hotel or rural tourism accommodation, all of which can be found in exquisite natural and cultural settings.
The accommodation offer in the Sintra region is complemented by facilities such as Golf, Spa, venues for conferences and meetings as well as, obviously, restaurants.
Always a good option is Local Accommodation, comfortable and friendly, of high quality and at reasonable prices. Scattered throughout the region, this category also includes hostels, which have brought new life to some of the buildings of traditional architecture in Sintra’s historical centre.
wine Cellars and Producers Article Count: 14
The Demarcated Region of Colares, created in 1908, small in area when compared to other wine-making regions in the country, achieved relevance at the turn of 20th century due to the high percentage of ramisco vines that were cultivated and occupied a large part of the surface area.
The Adega Regional de Colares (Colares Regional Cellar) was established in 1931, with the objective of ensuring the quality and origin of the region’s wine products.
Initially founded by 81 members, in the following years it registered a considerable increase in the number of associates and is the oldest cooperative winery in the country.
In 1934, by decree-law n. º 24 500, of September 19th – considered by many as the true Charter of Colares wine – the Adega Regional de Colares was granted the exclusive right to manufacture Colares wine, at the same time as an aging period of a minimum of two years was set so as to guarantee the quality of this wine product.
In the following decades, the high cost of labour, the difficult planting in the sandy soil, the crisis in wine production, the increase of pine forests in detriment of vineyards and the advance of urban areas have, among others factors, contributed towards the decrease in the production of ramisco.
Today, besides the Adega Regional de Colares, there are other wineries and individual producers of the Colares wine.
Gastronomy Article Count: 46
Extensive and rich, the gastronomy of Sintra makes the mouth of any gourmand water.
Meat-dishes feature the «leitão de Negrais» (suckling pig), the Mercês pork , «cabrito» (goatling ) and roast veal . The Sintra region coast provides an abundance of fine fish, shellfish and molluscs. So it is possible to have an appetizing sea-bass or bream, enjoy an octopus or savour clams and barnacles.
With regards to confectionery, the highlight inevitably goes to the «queijadas de Sintra», ancestral sweet pastry dating back, at least, to the Middle Ages. But there are others worth trying: the «travesseiros», the «pastéis da Pena», the «nozes de Galamares », the «fofos de Belas», along with a series of traditional jams made according to traditional methods.
Wines Article Count: 52
In the Sintra municipality there is a small viticultural area that produces a ruby colour wine that with aging acquires an exceptional velvety character and bouquet. It takes several years for the Colares wine to reach maximum quality, although the minimum aging period is 18 months. Due to the long aging period imposed, sales are very limited, making the Colares region a sort of «sanctuary» for connoisseurs of this wine.
The vines of this region have very particular characteristics, due to the proximity of the sea and the strong ocean winds they’re subject to.
Given its geological nature, Colares can be divided into two sub-areas: “sandy soil (the dune area) and the “ hard soil”(calcareous soil). The Colares wine owes its unique qualities to the grape varieties, the soil and the mild, humid climate during summertime, as well as to the fact that 80% of the vines are placed in “sandy soil”, true to the traditional practice of “unhar” - a process necessary for the ungrafted grapevine cuttings to reach the clay soil underlying the layer of sand.
The geographical area corresponding to the Colares Denomination of Origin is situated in the Sintra Municipality between the Mountains and the Ocean next to the sea, encompassing the parishes of Colares, São Martinho and São João das Lampas.
Wine Route Article Count: 4
As well as guided visits to the wine cellars and vineyards, the Colares Wine routes are an opportunity to enjoy the natural landscape of Sintra. This includes a rich historical, architectural and ethnological heritage, set in the geomorphologic diversity of mountain, countryside and coast. It also offers the quality of traditional Sintra gastronomy, ever present in the restaurants found along these routes.
Outlets and Wine Tasting Article Count: 2
The tasting of Colares wines is possible in one of the wine-cellars of the region, by previous appointment with one of the producers.
The municipal space Vila Alda – Casa do Elétrico (the Tram House) provides the visitor with a unique experience, linking the Sintra Tram, the Sintra Atlântico line, with the historical tradition of the Colares region.
It is also the setting for wine-tasting, within the context of events promoted by the Town Hall. On a visit to Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of the European continent, at the local Tourist Office, you can also buy a bottle of Wine from Colares and taste it while watching a wonderful sunset.