October 8, 2023

Quinta Do Crasto

On Sunday our first day in the Douro Valley we visited a large, old winery ranked as one of the top 20 wineries in the world. Quinta Do Crasto is located on the right bank of the river between the village of Regua and Pinhao about a harrowing 1 hour drive from our hotel. The vineyards are on the steep hillsides overlooking the Douro river, covering 185 acres and was established in 1615. The winery uses modern processes but due to the side hill vineyards all grapes are hand picked. They also press the grapes with bare human feet. Quinto Do Crasto produces 1.5 million bottles of wine and port plus 65,000 bottles of extra virgin olive oil each year. Our guide who is from Brazil led us on a tour of the facilities, then to the dining terrace overlooking the river and served a beautiful lunch accompanied by a selection of excellent wine.

The setting for dining was spectacular as was the lunch. Our favorite was a Douro, 2017, Reserva, Vinhas Velas, Old Vine. The Douro White was also excellent. Crasto wines are available in the United States.

We returned to the hotel after lunch taking a little less twisty turny route with one and a half lanes verses the one on the way to the Vineyard. We relax at the hotel and have dinner on the Terrace of the Six Senses in perfect weather. Another great day, tomorrow its time for the gym before breakfast.