Porto: Poças Cellar Tour & 3 Port Wine Tasting with Guide

Summary

Poças cellars in Porto reveal port wine stories with each glass

You’ll step into Porto’s historic Poças cellars with a local guide, wander among century-old barrels, and taste three unique Port wines—including Tawny and White Port—paired with simple crackers. Alongside stories from real people who make these wines, you’ll get quiet moments to savor flavors you might not expect. It lingers long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

“You have to smell this,” our guide Ana said, holding out a glass as we stood between rows of old barrels at Poças in Porto. It was cool inside, the kind of damp that settles into your sleeves, and the air had this sweet, woody scent—like raisins left in the sun but somehow deeper. I’d never really thought about how port wine gets its flavor, but Ana explained it with a shrug and a smile, talking about her uncle who still works here sometimes. I liked that—felt less like a museum and more like someone’s family garage, just with way better drinks.

The walk through the aging cellar was quieter than I expected. You could hear our footsteps echo on the stone floor and every so often someone would laugh softly at a story about the Douro Valley or one of those wild harvest years. I tried to remember all the types: Tawny, LBV (Late Bottled Vintage), White Port… but honestly, by the time we reached the tasting room my mind was mostly on what they’d taste like. The crackers they gave us were salty and plain—perfect for not messing up your palate, Ana said. She winked when she saw me trying to pronounce “Lágrima.” Didn’t quite nail it.

I didn’t expect to like the white port as much as I did. It was cold and almost floral—hard to describe but it made me think of spring somewhere far from home. We talked a bit with another couple from Lisbon; they come every year for new bottles. The shop is right there if you want to buy something extra (I did). There’s no rush at all—you can just sit by the window for a while watching people wander past outside. Even after leaving, I kept catching that faint oak-and-sugar smell on my jacket hours later.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Guided cellar visit and wine tasting

• Visit aging cellar
• Learn about Port Wine and Douro Valley
• Enter Tasting Room
• Taste three Port Wines
• Discover Port wine pairings and styles
• Option to taste other wines
• Shop available wine references

Top questions

Is this Poças wine tasting tour in Porto wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible throughout the experience.

How many Port wines do you taste during the tour?

You’ll taste three different Port wines: 10-year-old Tawny, LBV (Late Bottled Vintage), and White Port.

Does this tour include food or snacks?

Yes, tastings are paired with salt and water crackers to complement the wines.

Can children or infants join this Porto wine tasting?

Infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are allowed during the visit.

Is public transportation available near Poças cellars?

Yes, there are public transportation options nearby for easy access.

Do you need prior wine knowledge to enjoy this tour?

No experience needed—the guide explains everything in an approachable way.

Can you buy extra wines at the end of the tour?

Yes, there’s a shop where you can purchase any of their available bottles after your tasting.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided visit through Poças’ aging cellar in Porto with stories from your local guide, tastings of three different Port wines—a 10-year-old Tawny, Late Bottled Vintage (LBV), and White or Lágrima Port—all paired thoughtfully with salt and water crackers before you head back out into the city again.