At the Quinta da Pachecha vineyard in Portugal you can now spend the night in a giant wine barrel, complete with private bathroom, soft beds and air conditioning.
On the rolling hills of the Douro Valley, east of Porto, grows the grape of one of the best wines of Portugal. In the picturesque region you will find the Quinta da Pacheca estate, producer of the famous Douro wine, which guarantees a weekend of wine tasting, romance and dreamy landscapes.
History
The winery, with olive groves and grape vines dating back to the 16th century, is run by Paulo Pereira and Maria do Céu Gonçalves. The two heritage owners recently had ten habitable wine barrels built as a unique overnight stay. All barrels on the almost 600 square meter estate each have their own patio from which you can enjoy the vast landscape between the centuries-old vines. Inside, each vessel is equipped with a luxurious double bed, a walk-in shower, a skylight, Wi-Fi and air conditioning.
For those who prefer a more traditional retreat, the 18th-century country house has been transformed into a 15-room hotel with four-poster beds and a combination of classic and modern features.
In addition to wine, the Douro region is also known for its cuisine, with specialties such as sardines in citrus and slow-cooked pork. The hotel’s restaurant, overlooking the Douro and the neighboring vineyards, serves these specialties. There’s also loads of activities to do, both on the estate and in the nearby region. In addition to a wine tasting, you can also take cooking lessons, wine bottling and traditional wine stamping courses. The estate also offers bicycles to discover the area and organizes boat trips on the Douro.
Opening image: SimonDannhauer/iStock