3rd May (Sunday)

Meet in Madrid to stay one night at delightful and well located Palacio de Tepa hotel (provisional).

Evening tapas tour in the Las Letras district. D

4th May (Monday)

Set off for the remote and excellent Bernabeleva winery in the Gredos mountains where we enjoy a tasting of several different styles of wine, some direct form the cask, including red and white Garnacha, sweet Moscatel and a rancio style wine. On to Avila for short walk around the old town, followed by a tapas lunch in La Bodeguita, incorporating a tasting of the Sierra de Gredos/ Cebreros wines of the region, including delicate high altitude garnacha reds. We then drive on to Salamanca where we check in to the stylish and historic Palacio San Esteban for 2 nights, followed by a walk up to the Plaza Mayor, Spain’s most graceful square where enjoy a couple of tapas and a welcome drink B/L

5th May (Tuesday)

We head south to the ham capital of Spain and, the small town of Guijuelo, where we have a family tour of the finest jamon producers, Simon Martin, concluding of course with a Jamon tasting in the cellar. We then head further south to Spain’s newest DO in the Sierra de Francia mountains where we visit the excellent La Zorra winery. The Rufete varietal is star here and we will also taste their local vermouth. Lunch is next door at their beautifully located Mirasierra restaurant. After lunch we enjoy a walk through La Alberca, one of the beautiful mountain villages of the area before we head back to Salamanca, where the evening is free. B/L

6th May(Wednesday)

We set off for the Portuguese border and on the way meet the magnificently eccentric Charlotte Allen (Almaroja) for a visit to her winery and vineyards in Arribes, followed by a tasting of her excellent wines with some tapas. 

After a scenic drive across the border, we take the train from Pocinho and after a stunning ride hugging the river through the Douro superior we alight at Quinta dos Malvedos, the flagship single quinta property that makes its own vintage port and is the premium wine going into Grahams vintage port. We enjoy a harvest truck ride up to the property for a casual lunch at the quinta overlooking the Douro. Port on the terrace overlooking the river is one of life’s great pleasures, this was where John Major took his summer holidays when Prime Minister. After lunch the harvest trucks take us down to the jetty for a rabelo cruise along the Douro to Pinhão through the dramatic landscapes of the Cima Corgo. The Douro is the oldest demarcated wine region in the world and home to over half of the world’s mountain vineyards. Check in for two nights to the Vintage House where the evening is free B/L

7th May(Thursday)

Morning visit to Quinta do Noval followed by a tasting. Stunning property, great history, ports and magical views. We see the legendary pre phyloxerra Nacional vineyard, home to the number 2 wine of the 20th century. We then travel by winding roads along to the marvellously situated Quinta do Crasto where we enjoy a visit, tasting and private lunch. Crasto makes fine wines and ports, enjoys a field vineyard with almost 50 distinct varietals and the most remarkable infinity swimming pool high on the hills overlooking the Douro. Eventually we make our way back to the Vintage House where there is time to tidy up before dinner. A very short drive takes to dinner at Quinta de la Rosa, nestled by the river and a fine producer of reds and whites as well as being home to one of the top restaurants in the Douro B/L/D

8th May (Friday)

We enjoy a morning visit and tasting at Quinta do Bomfim (Dow’s main Douro property), followed by lunch at DOC the best restaurant in the Douro, overlooking the river at Folgosa where we enjoy a tasting menu with a selection of Douro wines

After lunch we leave the Douro and head on to Porto for a two night stay in the 5 star Yeatman Hotel. Free evening. B/L

9th May (Saturday) 

After breakfast we take a walk down the hill for a visit and tasting to the oldest shipper of all for a tasting. Kopke are renowned leaders in the aged colheitas which makes for a wonderful experience. Lunch and afternoon is free. Late afternoon visit to Taylor’s Port Lodge, before last night dinner in the Orangerie at the Yeatman at 1930. B/D

10th May (Sunday) 

After breakfast, end of tour.