VILA VITA Parc Cave de Vinhos Wine Cellar

Food & Drink Hot List Inspiration Lifestyle

The VILA VITA Parc wine guardians welcome you to their realm with a relaxed hospitality

Beneath the smooth green lawns of VILA VITA Parc resort lies a world apart. The landscaped gardens, where resort guests stroll towards the beach, enjoying sunshine and relaxation, hide from view an amazing collection of the world´s best wines, in a unique and impressive wine cellar – the VILA VITA Parc Cave de Vinhos. Open to the public, wine lovers are invited to explore this secret world, the largest private wine collection in Portugal, home to such rare jewels as Madeira Verdelho from 1850 and Château Mouton Rothschild 1er Cru Classé 1996.

A meandering cobblestone path leads to the doorway, portal to this Bacchus wonderland. Steps spiral downwards, 9 metres deep beneath the surface. Rough brick walls with candlelit recesses open out into a gothic style, vaulted cellar. The aroma, a blend of ancient bricks, wine and cork, is timeless and evocative.  

The cellar (or Cave de Vinhos) was purpose built in 1998. The origins of the space are not clear (some say it served as a cold storage space hundreds of years ago) but what is sure, is that the walls and arched vaults are built with bricks over 150 years old, brought from Egypt and Greece, to better maintain stable temperatures and humidity, protecting the corks and the precious content of the thousands of bottles of wine that are stored here. In the cellar’s main chamber, a huge wrought iron chandelier hangs above the tables awaiting guests for wine tasting, tapas and wine pairing menus.

Sommelier Rui Fernandes and Chef Helder Fernandes are the VILA VITA Parc wine guardians and they welcome you to their realm with a relaxed hospitality that encourages visitors to converse and question. They share their knowledge easily and with good humour, sharing anecdotes and information, as they guide you around the cellar.

There is no traditional wine list at the Cave de Vinhos – the sommerlier is the wine list. He knows each of the cellar's tenants, currently about 11.000 bottles of the best wines in the world (the resort as a whole is home to more than 23.000 bottles!), and speaks of them as fondly as a father of his children. He will guide you through the cellar, along the shelves housing Portuguese wines from Douro, Dão, Bairrada and Alentejo regions (home of the excellent Herdade dos Grous wine, produced on VILA VITA’s own estate), visiting the world through wines from the best French chateaux, from  Germany, Italy, California and South America, explaining the characteristics of the different wines.  Star among the Portuguese wines, and holding pride of place in the Fortified Wines section is the Verdelho from 1850, which keeps company with Madeira Malvasia 1865, and a Madeira Boal Solera de 1871.
 



The walls of the main chamber are lined with empty bottles and magnums of wine enjoyed by visitors to the cellar, many opened by hot tongs - an old world ritual which originated in Portugal as a way to open older bottles of port with corks that might crumble and contaminate the precious liquid. Each of these bottles has its own story and some are signed by the famous visitors who have enjoyed the Cave de Vinhos experience.  

The cellar is open to the public, by reservation, and there is a range of experiences on offer (see below). You can simply opt to visit the cellar and sample a glass of wine, under the guidance of the Sommelier, or you can enjoy the unique experience of delectable tapas and main dishes, paired beautifully with some of the cellar’s wine.

From the kitchen adjacent to the main vault, the chef conjures up delicious, fresh food, using local produce where possible, that perfectly complements the wines and the atmosphere. The food, which is delicate yet packed with flavour, neither overpowers or is overpowered by the wines served. Passionate hosts, the pleasure and pride sommerlier and chef take in the food and surroundings is contagious and fun.

Replete with good food and wine, senses filled with scents and flavours, the mind humming with stories, guests climb the staircase back to the surface, emerging into the ordered luxury of VILA VITA Parc resort.

      
 

  • The Cave de Vinhos is open on request and by reservation and offers wine and cheese tasting (for maximum 20 people) and Portuguese Tapas and Wine pairing (for maximum 12 people).
  • Tasting can be booked on request, usually taking place from 15h30 to 17:00h subject to availability.
  • Dinner can be booked for Monday, Wednesday and Fridays, 19:00 to 21:00h
  • Dress code - smart casual.
  • Adults only.
  • See a sample menu here.
  • Private events can also be arranged. For menu details and reservations please visit Vila Vita Parc Wine Cellar



YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE