Getting to know the port wine cellars – Ferreira

Approximately a month ago it was the time for my next port wine cellar visit. And since I got a very special visitor over from Finland, and whilst getting to know Porto and it’s history a visit to one of its port wine cellars is a must, the time was just right to getting to know another port wine cellar.

The port wine business is ruled by the British

We decided to head to Ferreira since this port wine house is a pleasant exception among other port houses: it has always been and is also today in Portuguese ownership. Back in the first half of the 19th century, a young woman called Antónia Adelaide Ferreira, later referred to as Dona Antónia, took over the business. With her business intelligence and entrepreneurial mindset, she was able to expand and richen the company’s practices. She was also known to give her share in social welfare in the winegrowing area of Douro and was given the nickname “Ferreirinha” (as in little Ferreira) by the people surrounding her.

As many other port wine cellars in Porto, Ferreira is also open for visits every day of the year. We decided to pay a visit on Sunday, and since there had been slightly long night behind us (wine might have been included), we were happy to encounter that the cellar was open until 6pm. Ferreira has also conducted different tour packages for every taste and wallet. We picked the Classic Visit since we only had one hour before closing time and didn’t want to be in a hurry. This package includes a guided tour through the cellar with a museum visit and an ending of tasting two different port wines. We found this visit (at least for this time being) more than enough. Our Portuguese guide was very insightful without being boring, the tour was short enough but also consisted different venues (cellars, museum and an old street under the buildings connecting the cellars and the tasting rooms) and enough to explore. The tasting room was tasteful, large space with long wooden tables and we were asked to sit with the rest of the group to enjoy the tasting.

The wines we tasted were 18 years old Tawny and Ferreira’s Branco – white port. Both with excellent, but not superior quality (as was expected) and we enjoyed our port wines with pleasure before heading to town for some well-deserved burgers!

So why visit Ferreira port wine cellar?

• Reasonable price for the deal (Classic Visit was 12 €)
• Beautiful space
• Superb guides (at least ours!)
• The only Portuguese owned port wine house
• Excellent port wines – if you haven’t already tried, I suggest you try the Branco port next time!

Thinking about paying a visit to port wine cellars in the near future? 🙂

❤ : Maria