Have you ever loved a wine so much you wished you could just live inside the bottle? Well, good news: There’s a place for oenophiles to experience their favorite wine from the wine’s perspective — sort of.
At the Quinta da Pacheca estate in Portugal’s wine-centric Douro Valley, guests at the vineyard can stay in giant, luxuriously appointed glamping pods designed to look exactly like wine barrels.
Glamping in a Wine Barrel
The 10 barrels were designed by property owners Paulo Pereira and Maria do Céu Gonçalves and sit near a hotel and spa on the vineyard’s 140-acre estate. Each barrel is about 270 square feet and includes:
- An elegant bedroom fit for a spa
- A private bathroom with modern fixtures
- A walk-in shower
- A skylight for stargazing
- A private terrace
- Wi-Fi and air conditioning
Moreover, on the outside, each pod resembles an actual wine barrel, from its cylindrical shape and pine paneling to the metal hoops holding it together. The cost for a barrel stay is approximately $250 USD per night or more.
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About Quinta da Pacheca
For more than 100 years, Quinta da Pacheca has been making Douro DOC and Port wines, being the first in the region to bottle DOC wines back in the ’70s. As a result, the vineyard has welcomed tourists to shop, taste, and stay over at its 18th-century manor house-turned-Wine House Hotel. Guests are treated to world-class wine, dining, and hospitality.
Michelin describes Quinta da Pacheca as a “winery that combines classic charm with contemporary interior design and up-to-date boutique-era comforts.” Furthermore, there’s even an on-site spa offering treatments inspired by winemaking, incorporating unique elements like “vineyard baths” and massages with grapeseed oil.
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Things to Do at and Around the Estate
During your stay at the vineyard, you can enjoy wine tastings and various experiences such as cooking classes or picnics. The hotel boasts a gorgeous restaurant, winemaking facilities for tours, and an extensive menu of spa treatments. Consequently, exploring the estate’s vineyard and grounds is as easy as walking out your barrel door.
Quinta da Pacheca is nestled in the Douro Valley, a famous and UNESCO-listed wine region. Beyond the estate, you can participate in organized wine tours, visit various vineyards independently, and learn about local winemaking traditions at the Museu do Douro. Additionally, activities not related to wine include kayaking, cruising the Douro River, taking in panoramic views from the São Salvador do Mundo viewpoint, driving along the scenic Estrada Nacional 222, visiting the prehistoric rock-art site of the Côa Valley, and hiking in the Douro International Natural Park, one of Portugal’s largest protected areas.
