For some holidays, particularly for immersive and active oenological holidays taking place in Portugal, it is essential that your feet are clean and approved by a chiropodist. For three days in September, Churchill’s offers tourists the opportunity to get under the skin of the local fruit and stomp grapes in the company’s traditional granite mills, which date back to 1852.
Churchill’s is one of the few port houses to still pulp grapes by foot. Quinta da Gricha, the company’s flagship vineyard, is inviting visitors for its annual harvest in September. The day begins with a grape-picking challenge with Churchill’s viticultural team, and a tasting follows the shift on the terraces. After the grape-picking challenge, a three course lunch is served in the orange grove. Churchill’s Douro wines The vintage port is served. The price is £185 per person, with additional transfer options from/to Porto.
Churchill’s was founded in 1981 by master port blender Johnny Graham with his two brothers, Anthony and William, and his wife, Caroline Churchill, who also gave the brand its name. Graham learned his trade in the Douro River’s terraced valleys when he apprenticed to Cockburn Smithie’s. Graham comments, “Port. Club’s mission is to share the fortified nectar of the Douro with the next generation of drinkers by making Churchill’s award-winning hand-crafted Ports easy to purchase, learn about, and make your own.”
Membership is open to all. Port Club Includes quarterly three-bottle Port Packs, and access to unique port education and travel experiences in Portugal. Johnny’s eldest daughter Zoe adds, “We know that Port can be a confusing category. Our mission is to make people feel why what they’re drinking is so good.”
It is important to note that the word “you” means “you”. Port Packs introduce members to various port styles from Churchill’s award-winning portfolio. Churchill’s Fuse is a drier type of Port with minimal intervention in viticulture and winemaking. The Graham Family has been making Port for 200 years. The family business was sold to “Symington Family Estates” in 1970. “Churchill’s” is a first-generation business producing 50,000 hand-crafted cases a year. Churchill’s is the only porthouse that is still founder-led.
Learn how to cook with Portuguese recipes and crusted port. Tawny ports aged 10 years. Port Club members can access personalized online masterclasses with Johnny, his son James, and Portuguese winemaker “fellow wine rogue” Ricardo Punto Nunes.
Port Packs include one everyday Port, a special occasion Port, and a Club Port that is exclusive to Club Members. Mr. Graham has selected and blended each Port. Each Port is ready for immediate consumption.
Members will have access to exclusive VIP events and benefits. Churchill’s luxurious four-bedroom Vineyard House In the Douro valley, you can enjoy bespoke programs Churchill’s Lodge in Oporto.