Autumn at the Table: Wine, Food and Seasonal Experiences Around Lisbon

© Leticia Dick

As autumn arrives, it brings with it the perfect excuse to slow down, gather around the table and discover the flavours of the season. From wine tastings and vineyard visits to long lunches surrounded by nature, there are countless ways to experience the region beyond Lisbon through food and wine.

Less than an hour from the city, you'll find vineyards nestled between the mountains and the sea, historic estates steeped in heritage and charming villages where winemaking remains an important part of local identity.

 

Where Sand Creates One-of-a-Kind Wines

Among the many wine destinations worth discovering, Colares stands out as one of Portugal's most distinctive wine regions. Just a short drive from Lisbon, between the Sintra mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, this unique landscape has shaped a winemaking tradition unlike any other.

Here, vineyards grow in sandy soils, and the story of the wine is inseparable from the surrounding scenery.

Fonte: https://visitsintra.travel/pt

 

Regional Winery of Colares

Founded in 1931, the Regional Winery of Colares is one of those places where history and tradition enrich every visit.

Alongside wine tastings, visitors can also join guided tours to learn more about the region's distinctive winemaking heritage.

• Location: Alameda Coronel Linhares de Lima, Colares
• Wine tastings: Monday to Saturday, 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm

 

Quinta Vale da Roca

Perched on the cliffs of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, Quinta Vale da Roca combines a boutique hotel with a working wine estate.

Experiences range from vineyard and winery tours to wine tastings, picnics, walking trails and wellness treatments, making it an ideal destination for a relaxed autumn escape.

• Location: Rua Casal Farripas 8, Azóia

 

Discover the Vineyards of the Mafra Region

Mafra offers a more rural and picturesque side of the Lisbon region, where vineyards sit alongside traditional farms and small villages deeply connected to the agricultural heritage.

 

Quinta de Sant’Ana

Set within a historic estate, Quinta de Sant’Ana combines vineyards, orchards and woodlands in a peaceful countryside setting.

Beyond wine tastings, visitors can also enjoy picnics, explore the vineyards, visit the winery or step inside the estate's 17th-century chapel.

·       Location: Rua Direita 3, Gradil

 

Azeitão: Where Wine Meets Art and Heritage

On the Setúbal Peninsula, wine, culture and gastronomy come together, creating the perfect excuse for a day spent exploring and sharing good food with family and friends.

 

Fonte: https://enoturismo.pt/guia/quinta-da-bacalhoa/

 

Quinta da Bacalhôa

One of Portugal's most renowned wine estates, Quinta da Bacalhôa blends history, art and Portuguese culture into a single experience.

The Bacalhôa Palace is one of the estate's highlights. Its architecture, gardens and remarkable collection of 15th and 16th-century Portuguese tiles reflect the many influences left behind by generations of owners.

At the Bacalhôa Wine Museum, the connection between wine and art becomes even more evident. Guided visits combine the estate's heritage, artistic collections and wine tastings, offering a richer perspective on Portuguese winemaking traditions.

• Location: EN10, Apartado 54, Vila Nogueira de Azeitão
• Guided tours: 10am | 3pm (other times available upon request)

 

José Maria da Fonseca

Founded in 1834, José Maria da Fonseca remains one of Portugal's most iconic wine producers. Its historic cellars preserve an important chapter of both family and regional history.

A visit takes guests through the old winery buildings of the House Museum, including the Adega da Mata and the Teares Novos and Teares Velhos cellars. The latter houses some of the producer's oldest Moscatel de Setúbal wines, including bottles that have been ageing for over a century.

For those who want to extend the experience, Wine Corner by José Maria da Fonseca is located within the estate itself. The restaurant focuses on sharing plates inspired by regional flavours, making it easy to turn a simple cellar visit into a relaxed afternoon of food, wine and local traditions.

• Location: Quinta da Bassaqueira, EN10, Vila Nogueira de Azeitão
• Daily visits: April to October, 10am to 5:30pm | November to March, 10am to 4:30pm

 

Unexpected Autumn Escapes in Ribatejo

Known for its vineyards and full-bodied red wines, Ribatejo is a region where wine culture continues to play an important role in everyday life. The connection between local communities and winemaking is reflected in traditions, celebrations and the landscape itself.

ODE Winery

If you're looking for an experience where food and wine take centre stage together, ODE Winery is well worth the journey to Vila Chã de Ourique, near Cartaxo.

The estate occupies a historic winery dating back to 1902, which was reimagined and reopened as ODE in 2021. Less than an hour from Lisbon, the property combines vineyards, agriculture, winemaking and hospitality under one roof.

At Cellar Door Restaurant, the kitchen follows the rhythm of the seasons, drawing inspiration from ingredients grown on the estate and combining them with international techniques. Designed around sharing, the menu pairs naturally with ODE's wines.

Autumn is perhaps the perfect time to visit. Start with a winery tour or tasting, explore the vineyards and then settle in for a long lunch overlooking the Tagus countryside, accompanied by estate-grown produce and carefully crafted wines.

• Location: Rua Coronel Lopes Mateus 13, Vila Chã de Ourique

Enjoy the Scenery of Serra de Montejunto

North of Lisbon, Alenquer unfolds across rolling hills and vineyards that help define the region's winemaking identity. Between traditional villages, family-run estates and expansive landscapes, wine is woven into local life, creating the perfect backdrop for an autumn getaway.

© Mia Conolly

 

Quinta de Chocapalha

Located in the village of Aldeia Galega da Merceana, Quinta de Chocapalha is one of the region's must-visit wineries.

The experience begins long before the tasting itself. Visitors are taken through the vineyards, winery facilities and barrel room before eventually gathering around the table. All wine tourism experiences are available by reservation and include various tour and tasting options.

What makes Chocapalha especially memorable is its family spirit. More than simply visiting a winery, guests gain insight into a story shaped by generations, discovering how land, craftsmanship and wine come together to form a unique identity.

• Location: Rua Carles Duff, Aldeia Galega da Merceana

Quinta do Gradil

Although located just outside Alenquer, Quinta do Gradil is a natural extension of any wine route through the Lisbon region and a worthwhile stop for anyone exploring the western countryside.

With a history spanning more than seven centuries of harvests, the estate combines heritage, vineyards and contemporary wine tourism. Experiences include guided tours of the property and tastings showcasing a range of the estate's wines.

• Location: EN115, Vilar, Cadaval

 

Events You Won't Want to Miss in Lisbon

 

Autumn doesn't just transform the countryside. The city itself also comes alive with a vibrant calendar of wine and food events.

 

ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2026

 

From 11 to 17 October, Lisbon hosts the ASI Best Sommelier of the World 2026, an international competition bringing together professionals from 72 countries and placing wine, hospitality and expertise firmly in the spotlight.

For visitors, it's another opportunity to experience the energy of a city that continues to establish itself as one of Europe's most exciting food and wine destinations.

 

Vinhos & Sabores

Portugal's leading wine event brings together some of the country's most respected producers across more than 7,500 square metres of exhibition space.

Visitors can enjoy guided tastings, gastronomic experiences and live cooking demonstrations, while discovering new wines and meeting the people behind some of Portugal's most interesting projects.

• Location: FIL – Lisbon International Fair, Pavilion 3
• Opening hours: 17-18 October, 3pm to 9pm | 19 October, 11am to 6pm (trade professionals)

 

Lisbon's greatest advantage is how easily it allows you to escape the city without travelling far. If this autumn wine route has whetted your appetite, why not continue exploring? Discover more inspiration in our guide to the best of Lisbon, Ericeira and Sintra in three days.