"Bucelas is a very old settlement, with an archaeologically proven Roman presence, Without a doubt vine growing and wine making already existed at that time in the region."
Bucelas is a small region at the outskirts of Lisbon, now part of the municipality of Loures. Recognized in 1148 by D. Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, Loures gained importance as a retreat near the Portuguese capital for the noble families.
Due to the fertility of its land, is has a strong rural and agricultural character. Also, because of its location near the Tagus River it was ideal as a hub of various agricultural and horticultural products from surrounding cities.
Bucelas underwent great development in the second half of the 19th century and early 20th century, which is why it was "upgraded" to City on December 4, 1927.
Today it keeps rural characteristics and has strong traditions in the wine industry especially for excellent whites. In 1908, still during the monarchy Bucelas was constituted as a Demarcated Region (DOC), and in 1911 had its production and trade rules regulated.
It is here in Bucelas that the Arinto grape reaches its splendor. If it makes sense to talk about terroir as an identifying factor of a wine with Designation of Origin, then in Bucelas this is unquestionable for the Arinto grape. Bucelas and Arinto are so inseparable that since August 19, 2010 Bucelas was officially registered as "Arinto's Capital".
The vines in Bucelas are found mainly in the "várzeas" (valleys) that border the Trancão and the Ribeira da Bemposta, the main water courses of the region. This contradicts the classic agricultural rule that "the vineyard goes on the hillside, and the vegetable garden goes in the valley."
The technical explanation for the vineyard in Bucela's valleys is the soils: calcareous with sand and clay, very poor by definition which did not contribute a good ripening for the grapes on the slopes. An additional technical explanation is that Bucelas is very windy, and vines planted in the várzeas / valleys were protected from the winds.
Curiously for Portugal, only the regions where the Arinto grape predominates are recognized as DOC Bucelas. And unlike the other Portuguese wine regions, there are no red (tinto) DOC Bucelas wines.
Wine-loving travelers visiting or passing through Lisbon can easily visit stunning wineries and taste regional delicacies with our EnoFragments one-day itinerary.
Need more ideas on what to do/see/eat before visiting Portugal? Will you have more time for other day-trips from Lisbon? How about scheduling a private cultural walking tour or a private wine tasting? It's all here.
How to get to Bucelas from downtown Lisbon
Car: 45 min (29,3 km)
Car sharing: 45 min for aprox $25 euros (by far the easiest approach)
Bus: 90 min. Inexpensive but cumbersome.
Route 2706 Lisboa (Campo Grande) – Bucelas via A8/ Infantado
Route 2764 Lisboa (Campo Grande) – Bucelas via A8/ Infantado
Schedule: Carris Metropolitana
From Bucelas to the wineries is best to hire a local taxi, or walk.
(some of) Lisbon's Wineries
First Stop: Quinta da Murta
Quinta da Murta is a 27 ha property, 14 of which are planted with vines of Arinto (86%) and Touriga Nacional (14%) varieties, on the slopes of Bucelas, in a remote, protected and spectacular estate composed of a great diversity of fauna and flora. Current production includes sparkling wines, whites fermented in stainless steel and in barrels, and some reds. The Quinta has its own wine cellar and, besides the production of wines, offers visits, tastings events for up to 280 people, and a store where you can buy its products. Explore more: http://www.quintadamurta.pt/
Contact
Mário Soares Franco
Quinta da Murta, Estrada Velha do Boição nº 300, 2670-632 Bucelas Portugal
Car sharing: 45 min for aprox $25 euros
Phone: 966 025 481
Email: soaresfranco@quintadamurta.pt
Google Maps: Quinta da Murta
Second Stop: Chão do Prado
One of the oldest Bucelas wine producers AND the first Espumante (sparkling) producer in Bucelas. António João Paneiro Pinto, the great-grandson of António Joaquim Pinto Júnior and João Camilo Alves - both Bucelas wine producers in the 19th century - started his own production in 1993, after inheriting the small Chão do Prado farm. On its current eight hectares, Paneiro produces whites, sparkling, and an organic late harvest.
Contact
António Paneiro Pinto
Estrada de Santiago 2670-678 - Bucelas
Car sharing: 45 min for aprox $25 euros
Phone: 219 680 557
Email: chprado2001@hotmail.com
Google Maps: Chão do Prado
Lunch Time: Chão do Prado or O Barrete Saloio
You can have lunch at the Chão do Prado restaurant, in the the Quinta's old wine cellar, right in the middle of the vineyard.
Another option is O Barrete Saloio, a reference in Bucelas for regional cuisine, with over 90 years of history, tradition, and soul comforting food. It started out as the oldest boarding house in Bucelas. Today, it remains an informal and cozy house, serving quality cuisine based on regional flavors. Specialties: Barbecued Octopus, Chouquinhos ao piri-piri, Arroz de Peixe, Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá, Bacalhau à Lagareiro, Oven-roasted Fish, Grilled Fish, Grilled Sardines, Roasted Codfish, Roasted Kid and Alentejo-Style Pork. Yum!
Closed Monday nights and Tuesday.
Contact
Rua Luis Camões - 28/30 A 2670-662 - Bucelas
Car sharing: 45 min for aprox $25 euros
Telefone: 963 011 716
Email: barretesaloio@netcabo.pt
Third Stop: Murgas Wines
One of the most recent wine projects in Bucelas. João França grew up at Quinta das Murgas, in the Freixial area, and remembers fondly the walks with his grandfather through the vineyards, the hustle and bustle of every harvest, and the heated conversations about the wine business. In 2014, he decided to invest in the recovery of Quinta das Murgas. It is a different kind of space and experience, minutes away from Lisbon. Besides the vineyards visitors will find llamas, donkeys, horses, ponies, deer, sheep and ducks. This is a special treat for families with children!
Explore more: https://murgas.pt/
Contact
Rua do Lagar, Freixial, 2670-536 - Bucelas
Car sharing: 45 min for aprox $25 euros
Phone: 911 010 699
Email: comercial@murgas.pt
Google Maps: Murgas Wines
Shopping (and learning) time: Museu da Vinha e do Vinho
Opened on July 2013 this Wine Museum is located in the historic area of Bucelas, at a building deeply linked to the region's wine growing heritage. The building itself dated from the late 19th century and was the residence of the Camilo Alves family, one of the largest wine producers of Bucelas.
The museum offers three small yet distinct exhibition spaces. Visitors get to know the region, the traditional technologies and means of wine production, enjoy multimedia exhibitions representing all the stages of winemaking and vineyard work.
The Camilo Alves Documentation Center also offers bibliography about vitiviniculture in the Bucelas' Region.
There also a small wine store offering products from the Bucelas DOC, as well as red wines from the Lisbon Region and Bucelas, Carcavelos and the Colares Wine Route.
Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 1pm and from 2pm to 6pm
Closed on Mondays and holidays.
Contact
R. D. Afonso Henriques, 2 e 4 (EN16) 2670-637 – Bucelas
Car sharing: 45 min for aprox $25 euros
Phone: 924 487 297
Email: museu_vinho@cm-loures.pt
End of the Journey: Enoport United Wines - Caves Velhas
In the historic building of Caves Velhas, located in the center of Bucelas, the capital of Arinto, we can appreciate that same history. This building is being restored in order to allow visits, tastings and other wine events, where you can enjoy wines with stories and memories. Guided tour of the historic building of the Old Cellars, tastings of new and historic wines, wine events, wine academy and a store are available.
Contact
Rua Prof. Egas Moniz 2670-653 – Bucelas
Car sharing: 45 min for aprox $25 euros
Phone:: 219 687 330
Email: enoturismo@enoport.pt
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