Are you a lover of wine? The fruity bouquet? The spicy tannins? The lingering finish? If a weekend sojourn to wine country is your idea of a dream getaway, hold my wine. It’s possible that I’ve found your perfect pairing.
The Quinta Da Pacheca vineyard in Douro, Portugal, which dates back to the 16th century, offers award-winning wine, authentic Portuguese gastronomic delights, and luxury accommodations. In a giant replica of a wine barrel.
Each of the 10 self-contained cooperages is made from pine wood and designed by the property owners, Paulo Pereira and Maria do Céu Gonçalves. The 270-square foot suites include round beds, private bathrooms with walk-in showers, skylights, and private patios on which to enjoy the vineyard view while sipping on your vino. They also happen to come equipped with WiFi and air-conditioning. And wine. Let’s not forget about the wine.
I would never leave. Except for the approximately $286 USD price tag per night.
A representative from the vineyard tells Metro UK:
Quinta da Pacheca created the wine barrels as a bold architectural project of suites to reinforce the originality of the wine tourism offered at the site. In an idyllic romantic setting, these wine barrel rooms will provide visitors a unique experience to the nature and significance of the Douro wine region.
If sleeping in a wine barrel is not on your bucket list (which, I’m sorry, how could it NOT be), you can always choose to stay in one of the 15 available rooms in the 18th century manor house, The Wine House Hotel, also located on the 140-acre estate.
The winery enjoys a long history and has mastered the art of wine making over the past 116 years. They sell 45 different varieties of red, white, rosé and port. But you cannot live on wine alone (shocking, I know), so they also have an on-site 5-star restaurant, aptly named The Wine Room. Some of the signature dishes include bread with their own signature olive oil; tiger prawns with cress and mango sauce; sardines, marinated in ginger and citrus; baked cod fillet; and local alheira sausage and asparagus. All paired with the perfect wine, of course.
[adsanity id=”35665″ align=”aligncenter”/]In addition to the quirky accommodations, the winery also offers wine tastings (because wine), wine courses (so much wine), cooking workshops, and numerous on-demand tours of the Douro River area by bike, train, helicopter, and boat. If you need any more convincing (did I mention sleeping in a barrel and WINE?), here it is:
In addition, wine has myriad health benefits, when drinking it in moderation (that’s 1-2 glasses per day, you lushes). Studies have confirmed that it contains anti-aging properties (YES!), boosts immunity, improves heart health, lowers cholesterol, and protects against cancer, just to name a few.
So pack your bags, hop a plane to Portugal, and enjoy living your best life, in a wine barrel, at least for one night. Oh, and pass the wine please.
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