Palace Kitchen, Singing Cellar

Step inside one of Portugal's most iconic estates, Casa de Mateus, for a private tour and a lunch behind closed doors, then continue into the Douro Valley for an intimate tasting with a master oenologist. Located near Vila Real, the 18th-century Baroque palace was designed by Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni, whose work also shapes much of Porto's skyline. After being driven inside the palace grounds, the day begins with a guided visit led by an official specialist from the Casa de Mateus Foundation, taking in the grand salons, chapel, and gardens that reflect centuries of aristocratic life. Lunch is served in the palace's original kitchen, a three-course meal built around regional ingredients and Douro wines, served in a room lined with stonework and antique copper tools. From there, you'll travel into the Douro Valley to meet a oenologist in his cellar, tasting wines in a relaxed setting, often accompanied by his guitar.

While guided tours of Casa de Mateus are open to the public, this experience is much more exclusive. Carlos and Paulo take you straight to the palace’s doorstep, where you’ll meet a senior guide. Away from the usual crowds, they’ll talk about the objects on display and reveal rooms not typically included in standard visits. Then, escort you through the gardens to learn the origins of its design and what makes it a reference in Portuguese garden art. Lunch follows in the original kitchen, a private, wine-paired meal where family feasts were once prepared. This exclusive setting continues in the cellar of a master oenologist, a wine scientist trained in the craft behind what ends up in your glass, distinct from a winemaker or sommelier. In a candle-lit setting surrounded by wine boxes and barrels, you'll sit face-to-face, as he explains the particles of each grape and how they shape flavor. He's also known to burst into song mid-tasting, with his guitar in hand.

Your experience is hosted by Carlos de Oliveira and Paulo Baptista, in collaboration with a specialist from the Casa de Mateus Foundation, a regional chef, and a master oenologist who opens his cellar to guests. Carlos and Paulo are seasoned cultural ambassadors with deep roots in Vila Real and the Douro Valley, known for their warm hospitality, local insight, and commitment to sustainability. The Foundation's guide brings scholarly depth to the palace visit, with expert knowledge of its architecture, archives, and historical significance. Your chef crafts a meal grounded in regional tradition using seasonal, often estate-grown ingredients, while the oenologist closes the day with something more technical and personal: a trained understanding of grape varieties, fermentation, and blending. Together, this team delivers a seamless experience that blends storytelling, heritage, and gastronomy in an iconic setting.

Comfortable shoes and a camera to capture the gardens, interiors, and the cellar.