Quinta de la Rosa
HDOU6, Pinhao, Portugal
Family run working winery quinta, set by the river Douro with spectacular views
Not really a hotel in the traditional sense, Quinta de la Rosa takes concept of rural tourism to its highest form with rooms scattered over the estate and integrated harmoniously amongst the vineyards. In keeping with this underlying philosophy the atmosphere is informal and personal with the focus on giving the guest an authentic experience of living on a Quinta' wine estate.
Spread out along one of the broader terraces above the river the 21 rooms and suites are tastefully decorated and furnished with antiques from Portugal and England. The lower rooms offer dramatic river views whilst the upper rooms are more modern and bright in their decor.
Located in a peaceful spot just a mile from Pinhao, the main centre for the Alto Douro famous for its tile-clad railway station, the Quinta is the perfect base to explore the world's oldest denominated wine region and, of course, visit the most prestigious wineries. There are well marked trails among the vineyards and a delightful swimming pool in the well-kept grounds.
Family owned since 1906 the Quinta is a working winery producing ports, olive oil and table wines of the very highest standard and guests can enjoy offers tastings of all of its produce (book in advance to avoid disappointment!) and also boasts a gastronomic restaurant with a wonderful view.
NB much accommodation is reached by pathways through the vineyards (as much as 300m from the main house) and is not generally suitable for guests with reduced mobility (please consult if you have any doubts, some rooms are adapted for this purpose). In keeping with the informal concept there is no luggage service but you can approach the furthest rooms by car to leave luggage if required.
Accommodation
21 rooms – traditional, superior deluxe and suites. Those in teh main house are more traditional and some have bathtubs as well as showers
Hotel Features
Outdoor Swimming Pool
Tastings (oil, wine port – extra charge – book in advance)
Garden
Disabled Access Rooms
Interconnecting Rooms
WiFi Internet
Hiking Trails
Terrace
TV Room
Lift/Elevator
Restaurant
The main restaurant offers stunning views over the river from its large windows and terrace and offers traditional Tr?s-os-Montes cuisine with a twist paired with the Quinta's own wines. Where possible vegetables are grown in the hotel's own vegetable garden or are locally sourced.
For more informal dining there is a terrace restaurant specialising in pizza and barbecue.
Breakfast is served in the main restaurant.
Hotel Facilities
24 Hour ReceptionWiFi all areas
Lift
Garden/Patio/Terrace
Shared Lounge / TV Area
No smoking in hotel
Luggage storage
Air Conditioning
Room facilities (all rooms)
En-suite bathroomHeating
Air conditioning
WIFI
TV
Fridge / Minibar
Hairdryer
Desk
Dining
Bar, open to the public, serving drinks and light snacksParking
On-site parking (free)
Pinhao, Portugal
In itself a fairly workaday village, though not without charm, Pinhao stands out for its spectacular setting in the valley, on one of the loveliest bends of the River Douro, majestic terraced hillsides dotted with quintas, producing the best port in the world and some excellent wines, on all sides.
Small though it is, Pinhao is the centre of this busy wine producing region and a good place to start your tour of the wineries or just to drive or walk in the surrounding countryside. Its pretty train station is not to be missed, decorated with stunning blue and white tiles “azulejos”, depicting scenes of the vineyards and the 'vendimia' (wine harvest). From here you can make the fantastic train journey through the vineyards up to Pocinho.
The village itself is a good source for stocking up for a picnic. The excellent butcher’s “Talho Qualifer” sells its own smoked meats and sausages, local cheeses and locally baked bread.
- Visit the quaint riverside village of Pinhao and delightful train station with its beautiful “azulejos” – tiles. Stunning train ride from here upriver to Pocinho.
- Take a romantic boat trip on a WW1 period wooden boat, departing from Pinhao up the River Douro towards Tua.
- Drive leisurely round the world’s oldest demarcated vineyards, the whole area a Unesco world heritage site –dazzling beautiful steep terraced vineyards rise dramatically from the imposing river Douro with white washed “quintas” – manor houses perched high above.
- Visit the many historical port –wine lodges “quintas” along the valley to sample and buy some of Portugal’s premier wines.
- Visit the fascinating village of Provesende with its 18th century baroque church and ten manor houses.
- Walking plenty of opportunities all over the area. There is a spectacular walk from Provesende, 600 metres above sea level, down through vineyards to Pinhao.
- Visit the handsome town of Lamego and climb the astonishing baroque stairway up to the church of Sehora de Remedios and try their local tipple “raposeira”, fragant sparkling wine. Take a pleasant walk down from Lamego to the Capela de São Pedro in the hamlet of Balsemão – built in the 6th century by the Visigoths – older than Portugal itself!
- Discover the Portugal’s first Cistercian monastery São João de Tarouca (now in ruins) and the monastery of Salzedas, built in 1168, one of the grandest in the land, in the wooded Barosa valley, south of Lamego.
- Don’t miss a visit to the grand 18th century Palacio de Mateus at Vila Real, famously depicted on bottles of Mateus Rose.
- See the world famous gallery of Palaeolithic rock art at the Parque Arquelógico do Vale de Côa. 1
- Picnic at the beauty spot of San Salvador del Mundo – hill, vineyard and river views a real treat! 1
- Sample the local and traditional restaurants or more sophisticated cuisine experiences renowned for their use of seasonal, locally grown produce.
