No visit to Porto is truly complete without experiencing the city's most famous export: Port wine. A tour of a historic Port lodge, followed by a guided tasting, is one of the most memorable activities the city has to offer, providing a deep insight into a tradition that has shaped Porto for centuries.

The heart of the Port trade is not in Porto itself, but across the river in the city of Vila Nova de Gaia. Due to historic trade laws dating back to the 17th century, all wine barrels from the Douro Valley had to be aged in the cellars (known as lodges) on the southern bank of the river to be officially classified as Port. This decree has resulted in a unique concentration of the world's most famous Port producers within a small, walkable area of Gaia.

Visiting a Port lodge is to step into a world of tradition. These are not modern visitor centres, but historic, working cellars where the air is cool and carries the sweet, woody aroma of ageing wine. Each lodge has its own distinct character, from grand, centuries-old family estates to iconic global brands, all sharing a common dedication to their craft.

 

 

With so many famous lodges to choose from, each offering a slightly different tour, selecting the right one can be a challenge. This guide will detail the best Port cellar tours and tastings in Vila Nova de Gaia, helping you choose the perfect experience for your visit.
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The historic Port lodges are steeped in tradition. Pictured is Caves Burmester, which has been operating on the banks of the Douro since 1750.

Tawny Port develops its rich amber colour and complex nutty flavours from its long ageing process in small oak casks, which can last anywhere from 10 to 40 years.

All of the Port house are situated on the southern side of the Douro River in the city of Vila Nova de Gaia. While each provides a slightly different tour, they generally follow a similar structure and include:
• An overview of the Port production process, from the Douro Valley vineyards to the bottle.
• The history of the specific company and its role in the Port trade.
• A guided tour of the atmospheric cellars where the wines are aged.
• A tasting of two or three different styles of Port.

The tasting session at the end of the tour typically involves a comparison of different styles, such as a White, Ruby, and Tawny Port, or a selection of Ports of different ages.

Costs and Booking Information
A standard cellar tour with a basic tasting typically costs between €14 and €17. More expensive, premium tours are also available, which usually include a tasting of older, higher-quality Ports, often hosted in an exclusive tasting room.

With the exception of Taylor's (which offers a self-guided audio tour), all tours are led by a guide and have set times for different languages and limited spaces. It is essential to book your tour in advance, especially during the peak season, as popular time slots often sell out. Turning up on the day without a reservation may lead to disappointment.

Planning Your Visit
A Port cellar tour is an excellent activity for the late afternoon, as it can lead into a relaxed evening in Vila Nova de Gaia.

The lodges can be grouped into two main areas. Those located directly on the riverfront, such as Sandeman and Cálem, are the most accessible and therefore the most popular. For a calmer atmosphere, the lodges set further back from the river and up the steep hill, such as Graham's and Cockburn's, are a fantastic alternative and may have more availability.

The interactive map below shows the location of the Port lodges. The main tourist area along the waterfront is shaded in yellow. (Note: zoom out to see all of the points)

Key: 1) Augusto's 2) Burmester 3) Cálem 4) Churchill's 5) Cockburn’s 6) Ferreira 7) Fonseca 8) Graham’s 9) Poças 10) Ramos Pinto 11) Real Companhia Velha 12) Sandeman 13) Taylor's 14) Vasconcellos

Sandeman is one of the most popular Port cellars

The colour scale and storage time of the different varieties of Port, as seen in the Cálem museum

With more than ten different Port houses providing tours and tasting sessions, there is a wide choice available to you. As these are all very similar, you will have a fantastic time whichever one you choose to visit.

The best Port cellars to visit are: 1) Ferreira 2) Cálem 3) Real Companhia Velha 4) Graham's 5) Sandeman 6) Taylor's 7) Ramos Pinto 8) Cockburns 9) Burmester

Insight: If you are new to Porto, we would recommend starting with one of the more tourism-focused Port cellars, such as Cálem or Sandeman, then have a second (or third) tour to one of the more atmospheric cellars, such as Real Companhia Velha, Ferreira, Graham's or Cockburns.

Ferreira is regarded by the residents of Porto as the best Port cellar to visit. It offers an informative tour of some of the oldest port cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia and concludes with a great selection of Ports. The Ferreira company is highly regarded by the Portuguese, as it is a wholly owned Portuguese company (most Port houses were British owned) started by an inspirational woman named Dona Antónia Ferreira.

If you have no prior knowledge of Port, Cálem makes a great starting point. It provides knowledgeable guides and fascinating interactive displays. The downside is that it can get very busy, with large tour sizes and slightly rushed tasting sessions. (Cálem cellar tour tickets)

Real Companhia Velha provides a more authentic experience and features magnificent port cellars, however it is a long way from the main tourism area of Vila Nova de Gaia. Real Companhia Velha is one of the oldest wine companies of Portugal, having been started by King Jose I in 1757. (www.realcompanhiavelha.pt)

Graham's is a highly recommended experience, with a relaxed atmosphere and a larger set of cellars (www.grahams -port.com). The Sandeman cellar, at the heart of the tourism area, has enthusiastic guides and is always a popular choice with visitors: www.sandeman.com

Taylor's should also be mentioned, as it provides a self-guided tour with a multi-language handset. This tour is not limited by visitor numbers, which is great for the busy summer season or if your desired language tour is sold out at other cellars. Taylor’s also has a pretty outside tasting area in a charming courtyard garden. (www.taylor.pt)

Ramos Pinto makes an interesting choice for your second or third Port tour, as it includes the original 19th-century office and details the 'unique' marketing techniques of the company. www.ramospinto.pt/

Cockburn's is the largest Port cellar in Vila Nova de Gaia. Their tour provides something extra, as here you are able to watch the coopers at work as they preserve and repair the wooden barrels. (www.cockburns.com)

Burmester is a smaller Port cellar at the base of the Ponte Luís I, which is also well worth a visit.

Porto tasting

Tourist insight: The port tours are excellent value, but the bottles of Port sold in the shops attached to the Port houses are often not good value. For standard bottles of Port, it is much better value to visit the wine shops in Porto or even the supermarkets.
Unique gift: Each bottle of Port states the year it was produced, which can make a unique gift for a birthday or to commemorate a special year such as an anniversary.

All of the Port cellars are located in Vila Nova de Gaia, and the reason for this dates back to the 13th century.

Medieval Porto was effectively ruled by the bishop of Porto, and he taxed all boats that moored in the city. King Alfonso, seeking to avoid these taxes, established a second port in Vila Nova de Gaia (New Town of Gaia) opposite Porto on the southern banks of the Douro.

This port became the main centre for the transportation of grapes from the Upper Douro, and it became law in the 18th century that all Port must be matured within Vila Nova de Gaia.