Day-by-day estate-visit plans for Dão: weekend, first-timer and deep-cellar editions.

Day-by-day plans

Santar and Nelas, two days in the middle of the plateau ★ 4.7

  1. Day 1

    Morning
    Start at Santar Vila Jardim on Avenida Viscondessa de Taveiro, where the manor gardens of the village are opened on booked guided visits at 10:00, 12:00, 15:00 and 17:00 from May to October. The official shop next door pours the Memórias de Santar wines.
    Afternoon
    Walk to Casa de Santar and Paço dos Cunhas, whose walled property dates to 1609 at 400 metres and holds the enclosed Clos de Santar vineyard, farmed in modo biológico.
    Evening
    Finish at Quinta do Sobral or Quinta das Mestras on the Santar edge for a late tasting before dinner.

  2. Day 2

    Morning
    Drive five minutes into Nelas for Caminhos Cruzados, whose 2020 red took a Grande Ouro medal at the 2026 regional competition.
    Afternoon
    Quinta da Fata at Vilar Seco, then Pedra Cancela at the Adega Lusovini, which runs sunset evenings on its terrace through the summer.
    Evening
    Head back towards Viseu for dinner and a glass at Galeria 22 on the Largo Misericórdia.

Three days from a Viseu base ★ 4.8

  1. Day 1

    Morning
    Begin at the Solar do Vinho do Dão in the Fontelo, on Rua Aristides Sousa Mendes, where the regional commission keeps its welcome centre and wine shop and where the Primores and Summer Edition tastings are held.
    Afternoon
    South to Silgueiros for Quinta de Lemos and the Adega Cooperativa de Silgueiros, whose Morgado de Silgueiros Touriga Nacional 2023 was named best wine of the 2026 regional competition.
    Evening
    Back in Viseu, a glass at Syrah Wine and Gin at Quinta da Saudade.

  2. Day 2

    Morning
    East to Mangualde and the Terras de Azurara: Quinta dos Roques at Abrunhosa do Mato, which began bottling varietal reds in 1996 and a barrel-fermented Encruzado in 1998.
    Afternoon
    Quinta dos Monteirinhos, seven generations of the same family, then Julia Kemper at Quinta do Cruzeiro in Oliveira, farmed without synthetic chemicals.
    Evening
    Dinner in Viseu; Maria Xica on Rua Chão do Mestre serves late and pours regional wine upstairs.

  3. Day 3

    Morning
    South-west to Carregal do Sal for Quinta de Cabriz and Quinta das Marias at Oliveira do Conde.
    Afternoon
    Quinta do Cerrado at Oliveirinha, then west to Tondela for Casa de Mouraz, Ecocert-certified since 1996 and biodynamic in practice since 2006.
    Evening
    Return to Viseu over the Caramulo foot for a last night in the city.

Serra da Estrela and Alva, a mountain weekend ★ 4.6

  1. Day 1

    Morning
    Start at Casa da Passarella above Gouveia, whose Villa Oliveira and Fugitivo bottlings took platinum and gold at the 2026 regional competition, then Textura Wines at Moinhos da Serra, 22 hectares farmed organically across seven parcels.
    Afternoon
    Quinta da Espinhosa at Vila Nova de Tazem and the Adega de Vila Nova de Tazem cooperative in the same village, a small-estate and co-op pair twenty minutes apart.
    Evening
    Down to Seia for Quinta da Bica, a 17th-century walled manor that keeps rooms and pours its old-vine wines with local cheese.

  2. Day 2

    Morning
    Quinta da Pellada at Pinhanços, whose records reach back to 1527 and where Álvaro de Castro released the first Quinta de Saes vintage in 1989.
    Afternoon
    Quinta Vale do Cesto at Oliveira do Hospital for the Alva Magna old-vine wines, then Ladeira da Santa at São João da Boavista in Tábua, where the granite gives way to schist.
    Evening
    Drive back to Viseu in an hour, or stay in the Alva.

Harvest week, five days in September ★ 4.7

  1. Day 1

    Morning
    Arrive in Viseu while the Feira de São Mateus is still running on the Pavilhão Multiusos ground; the 2026 edition closed on 6 September.
    Afternoon
    Solar do Vinho do Dão in the Fontelo for an orientation tasting across the sub-regions.
    Evening
    Galeria 22 on the Largo Misericórdia, which pours the region's wines in the old centre.

  2. Day 2

    Morning
    Into the vineyard at Quinta dos Roques or Soito Wines while the pick is on; both take booked cellar visits on weekdays.
    Afternoon
    Quinta dos Monteirinhos, which runs vindima and foot-treading sessions during harvest.
    Evening
    Back to Viseu.

  3. Day 3

    Morning
    Move to Nelas for the opening day of the Feira do Vinho do Dão in the Praça do Município, when the Grande Prémio Engenheiro Alberto Vilhena competition is judged.
    Afternoon
    Commented tastings at the fair, booked in advance.
    Evening
    Producer stands into the night.

  4. Day 4

    Morning
    Santar: the manor gardens, Casa de Santar and Paço dos Cunhas with its walled Clos de Santar vineyard.
    Afternoon
    Quinta da Taboadella at Silvã de Cima, 42 hectares on a triangular plateau with a cellar by Carlos Castanheira.
    Evening
    Return to the fair for the winning wines, poured on the Saturday.

  5. Day 5

    Morning
    South to Carregal do Sal for Quinta das Marias and Quinta Dom Vicente at Fiais da Telha.
    Afternoon
    Casa de Mouraz at Tondela to finish on the organic and biodynamic side of the region.
    Evening
    Drive out through the Caramulo or back to Viseu.

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Itineraries in Dão, FAQ

When is the best time to visit Dão for wine?

Peak wine-travel season in Dão is spring through autumn, with harvest the standout window.

Do I need an appointment to taste at Dão estates?

classified-growth and grand-cru estates require booking days to weeks ahead; smaller family domaines often take walk-ins midweek.

What hours do Dão cellars and tasting rooms keep?

most estates open 10:00 to 17:00 by appointment, often closed Sunday and Monday.

How does tipping work at Dão tastings?

tipping is not expected at tastings; buying a bottle from the cellar door is the customary thank-you.

What is the one wine to try in Dão?

Ask the next local you meet what they would order. Dão rewards trust.

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