The 2023 Duero/Douro Wine Trip: Source to Ocean

Update May 2023: two spots have opened up!

Fill out the form below and we’ll reach out to you wish more details. No obligations, but it is first come, first served on the two open spots.

Dates: September 1-9, 2023, with options coming for pre-trip and post-trip mini-tours. Suggested flights are to arrive in Madrid or Bilbao, and depart Porto.

8 nights of top-notch accommodations

9 winery visits (including lunch at 4)

Private coach transport

Harvest experience

Wine experts with you every step of the way

Group size: capped at 12 people.

Type of experience: curated luxury. This is a no messing around top-of-the-line trip.

Full pricing details at the end of the post.

Tour organizers and leaders

Our journey is being organized and led by two of the best in the business: on the Spain side you’re with Alder and Marrow, and on the Portugal side you’re with Ryan Opaz of Catavino Tours.

The unique nature of this trip, following the Duero/Douro River from source to ocean (during harvest time if the weather cooperates) makes for a once-in-a-lifetime experience for anyone interested in the wines and foods of Portugal and Northern Spain.

You’ll be with wine experts every step of the way, experiencing locations, vineyards, wineries, and stories that no other tours cover.

All photos and trip descriptions below curtsey of Ryan Opaz of Catavino Tours.

Friday
1st September 2023
Burgos | Ribera Del Duero ………………………………………………………………………

Get checked into your room and then head down to the thermal water pools and dinner at their restaurant at leisure.

Hotel: Castilla Termal Burgo de Osma (double standard rooms with breakfast included).

Saturday
2nd September 2023
Ribera Del Duero ………………………………………………………………………

Check out, pick up from your hotel, and spend the day with a local wine expert in the DO Ribera del Duero. We’ll start with a short drive in the morning towards Aranda and start the day with a visit and tasting at a top local producer.

We will then head to one of our favorite local restaurants and enjoy the famous local specialty, slow roast suckling lamb. This incredible meal will be paired with local wines.

After lunch, we will continue our tour at a second winery to get more immersed in this region’s production. After this second visit and tasting, we will head to our hotel.

Get checked into your room and then head down to the thermal water pools and dinner at their gourmet restaurant at leisure.

Hotel: Castilla Termal Monasterio de Valbuena (double standard rooms with breakfast included)

Sunday
3rd September 2023
Ribera Del Duero ………………………………………………………………………

Pick-up from your hotel, spend the day as a winemaker would…and it’s harvest time! We’ll meet our local host at his vineyard and get to work in a fully immersive hands-on harvest experience!

Learn all about the effort that goes into making a great bottle of wine, and have a blast doing it!

Your hard work will be rewarded with a great lunch prepared right at the winery. After lunch, we will head back to your hotel for a relaxing evening at leisure.

Monday
4th September 2023
Ribera del Duero | Toro | Salamanca ………………………………………………………………………

Wake up and check out of your hotel. Your local wine expert will pick you up and we will begin our drive west to the region of DO Toro.

This region is one of the sunniest regions in Spain and produces some wonderful and powerful grenache wines that will be an interesting contrast to Ribera del Duero.

We will visit two local wineries and have a wonderful lunch in the area. We will finish our day just outside Salamanca, at a wine spa and resort checking into a centrally located 5-star hotel.

Hotel: Hacienda Zorita (double standard rooms with breakfast included)

Dinner at leisure.

Tuesday
5th September 2023
Salamanca | Douro Valley ………………………………………………………………………

Check out your hotel and meet your private driver at the lobby.

Leave towards the Douro Valley (Portuguese part), the land of Port Wine.

Arrive at Quinta da Ervamoira, owned by Ramos Pinto for a visit, wine tasting, and lunch.

After lunch, leave towards Pinhão.

Arrive and check in – 2 nights.

Hotel: Vila Gale Vineyards (double standard rooms with breakfast included).

Evening off / leisure.

Wednesday
6th September 2023
Douro Valley ………………………………………………………………………

Relax on a leisurely private cruise along the winding Douro River in a barco rabelo, a majestic wooden sailboat historically used to transport the Port wine barrels from the Douro Valley to the Port Lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia.

The picturesque vineyards of Wine & Soul are located in the heart of the Pinhão Valley in the Douro. This innovative, yet rustic winery was founded by Jorge Serôdio Borges and his wife Sandra Tavares da Silva, two of the most celebrated winemakers in Portugal. Initially, the winery included a lone vineyard, Pintas, but throughout the years, it has gradually expanded to include additional properties, such as the magnificent Quinta da Manoella, located in the sparkling Pinhão Valley. Lunch will be served at the winery.

After lunch, your tour will continue at Quevedo, located in the picturesque town of S. João da Pesqueira in the Douro Superior wine region. Upon arrival, one of the family members will lead you on a walking tour of their undulating vineyards over the Douro River, followed by an intimate wine tasting. This winery is part of a new generation of small family wineries based in the Douro, with over a century of Port Wine experience.

Today we will have an early BBQ served at Toca da Raposa’s special venue.

Transfer back to the hotel at the end of dinner.

Thursday
7th September 2023
Douro Valley | Porto ………………………………………………………………………

Check out a hotel in the Douro. Meet your expert wine guide and driver at the lobby and leave towards Porto.

On the way, stop at Quinta dos Tourais for a visit and premium wine tasting. Built in the 17th century, the house was part of an old farm of the Cistercian monks. It has undergone architectural transformations over the years, while maintaining the essentials of the original design. Recently it has been remodeled and adapted for the development of wine tourism. Lunch will be served at the estate.

Arrive at Quinta da Covela, a boutique winery located on a beautiful estate in the Vinho Verde region, between Douro and Minho. It is situated in the geological transition between granite and schist, in a south-facing amphitheater on the river’s right-bank. The estate covers 34 hectares, where 14 are vineyards. The wines produced include not only some of the greatest whites in Portugal but also rosés and award-winning reds.

Enjoy a relaxed drive towards Porto. Arrive and check into the hotel – 2 nights.

Hotel: Eurostars Porto Douro (Double Standard River View with breakfast).

Evening off.

Friday
8th September 2023
Porto ………………………………………………………………………

Morning walking Porto Food tour: You’ll be taken to several tasting locations to enjoy ten traditional and iconic Portuguese foods. You will also learn about the families and history behind each of the restaurants, cafes, and specialty food shops that you’ll visit. In between tastings, you will hear about the history, architecture and culture while you walk the streets of Porto. The Food Tour itself will be enough for lunch, but if you’re keen for something more substantial, see below Porto’s restaurant suggestions.

Enjoy a private visit of an independent family-owned business, managed by the Poças family since its foundation in 1918. Before your premium tasting of Tawny Port in their newly built tasting room, experience the unforgettable smell of a Port Wine Cellar where you’ll learn everything about Port wine’s history and culture.

Time at leisure to explore the city on your own.

Farewell dinner will be served at a O Gaveto. This newly remodeled family owned restaurant is an icon in the city, not only for its wine list, but for its divinely fresh fish. From the minute you walk in the door, you’re encountered with trays upon trays of fresh cod, sole and sea bass, in addition to various combinations of tangerine-sized crabs (given a spicy kick after being cooked in water infused with piri piri); tiny orange shrimp; and goose barnacles. Combined with outstanding service, it’s a food lover’s dream!

After dinner, your driver will take you back to your hotel.

Saturday
9th September 2023
Porto ………………………………………………………………………

Private transfer from Hotel to Porto International Airport -1 per couple.

Arrival and drop off.

Flight to Madrid (not included) – Flight back home (not included).

Price per person in double occupancy

based on 10-12 people total in trip

6.900,00€

cost in euros
(single supplement on request)

Included

• ╴  1 Night at Castilla Termal Burgo Osma in Double Standard Room with breakfast included with spa access
• ╴  2 Nights at Castilla Termal Monasterio de Valbuena in Double Standard Room with breakfast included with spa access
• ╴  1 Night at Hacienda Zorita Double Standard Room with breakfast included
• ╴  2 Nights at Vila Galé Vineyards in Double Standard Room with breakfast included
• ╴  2 Nights at Eurostars Porto Douro Double Standard River View Room with breakfast included
• ╴  Deluxe Mini Bus with private driver at disposal as per itinerary
• ╴  Expert Wine Guide at disposal as per itinerary
• ╴  9 Winery visits with premium wine tastings, 4 with lunch
• ╴  3 lunches at fantastic restaurants
• ╴  Harvest experience
• ╴  2 dinners, 1 with special wines
• ╴  Port Wine Lodges visit with premium wine tasting
• ╴  Private walking Food Tour in Porto – tastings included
• ╴  Private rabelo boat cruise – 1 hour
• ╴  Private departure transfers in OPO – 1 per couple
• ╴  Gratuities for BUS driver
• ╴  Catavino’s expert coordination and support
• ╴  Welcome information packet, restaurant recommendations, our 24 hour contact number.

Not included

• ╴  Gratuities
• ╴  Personal Expenses
• ╴  Flights
• ╴  Travel Insurance

Terms & Conditions

Payment Conditions

• ╴  UPON CONFIRMATION: 500€ per person will be paid within 3 working days of the issuing invoice date;
• ╴  6 Months prior to arrival: 1500€ per person will be paid within 3 working days of the issuing invoice date;
• ╴  2 Months prior clients arrival: remaining value + any extras will be paid within 3 working days of the issuing invoice date;
• ╴  Any additional services will be paid within 3 working days of the issuing invoice date;
• ╴  Client will assume any and all bank fees associated by a bank transfer;
• ╴  CATAVINO may cancel the booking if payment is not received accordingto the present terms.

Cancelation Fee

• ╴  Installments are non refundable
• ╴  Any additional service(s) or/and space(s) confirmed after the signature of this agreement will be used for calculation of the fee for full or partial cancellation. Please note that no reservations were made at this point. Prices and availability may change at the time of confirmation and reservations of tour services will only be done after receiving the tour deposit. For information on Travel Insurance options we recommend the service Square Mouth. If you use the following link http://bit.ly/CatavinoInsurance you can do a simulation based on your specific needs and receive multiple results relevant to your situation.