Churchill’s offers hands-on Douro harvest experience

For three days this September, Churchill’s is offering tourists the opportunity to get to grips with grape picking and immerse themselves knee-deep in the tradition of treading the fruit under foot.

Quinta da Gricha, the company’s flagship vineyard, will welcome visitors for its annual ‘vindima’ on 10, 11 and 25 September. The day begins with a grape picking challenge with Churchill’s viticultural team, where they will harvest the very berries that go into its wines.

Fortunately, the guests will not have to wait the many years it normally takes to enjoy the fruits of grape picking for Port. Their labours will be followed up with a tasting of four wines, including two vintage Ports from the same vineyard they just picked (though guests are not expected to harvest the full 40 hectares under vine).

However, you can’t make wine without crushing a load of grapes, and Churchill’s is one of the few Port houses to still do it all by foot. The attendees will have the chance to tread on the fruit in the traditional granite lagares which date back to 1852. Clothing will be provided, for those concerned about irreparably staining their white shorts.

Afterwards, guests will be treated to a three-course lunch in the orange grove, with Churchill’s Douro wines and a vintage Port to pair. Those who become attached to their kit for the day will be in luck, as they will then be given a Churchill’s t-shirt and harvest shorts to take home.

The price is £185 per person, with additional options for transfers from/to Porto. Click here to find out more.