Local Wine Estates (Quintas)

Quinta do Seixo is the Sandeman estate in the Douro, in the countryside around Valença do Douro on the south bank of the river. It is a working vineyard of around 100 hectares that has been opened for visits, and it has been named in the World's 50 Best Vineyards list. The setting is the classic Douro: steep slopes cut into terraces, schist walls, olive trees and a view down to the river far below.

Sandeman is one of the oldest Port houses, founded in London in 1790 by George Sandeman, a Scot, and known for its caped figure of the Don in a black cloak and broad-brimmed hat. The brand is now owned by Sogrape, which acquired it in 2002. The quinta is the company's main estate in the valley, and it is where the grapes for many of its wines are grown. Some of the vines are more than a century old, and the estate puts emphasis on sustainable viticulture and biodiversity.

The visits are organised in several formats. The shortest is a winery tour with a tasting of White, Ruby and Tawny Ports. A longer visit goes into aged Tawnies, with older wines of different ages poured side by side, which is the best way to understand how time in the barrel changes a Port. Vineyard tours take you among the vines, with a tasting in a historic plot, and in the warmer months a picnic among the vines is also offered, with food that draws on Douro cooking. A wine and cheese tasting is another option. Prices vary from modest to premium, depending on the length of the visit and what is poured, so check the current menu of experiences before you go.

The restaurant works with sustainable ingredients and the chef Vasco Coelho Santos has been associated with the estate's food. The visitor centre is open daily in season, with the last visit starting in late afternoon, and it is worth booking ahead, particularly in the autumn harvest period, when the estate is busiest.

Getting to the quinta takes planning. It is reached by car, around three to four hours from Lisbon depending on your route, and there is no public transport, so most visitors come on a day trip from Porto or as part of a longer Douro itinerary. The road along the river is slow and winding. Plan your day so that you have time for the drive, and if you intend to taste several wines, appoint a driver. Spring and autumn are the best seasons, when the vines are green or turning gold and the heat of midsummer is not an issue. The estate suits wine lovers and anyone curious about how Port is made, not only experts.