Discovering Porto’s Wine Culture

I recently spent nearly two weeks exploring Porto, and a significant part of my adventure was centered around diving into the region’s famous wines. The nearby Douro Valley was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001, thanks to over 2,000 years of wine production and, in particular, its renowned port wine.

I dedicated an entire day to visiting vineyards in the Douro Valley, witnessing the wine production firsthand. However, not everyone has that luxury of time while in Porto. For those on a tighter schedule, a wine cellar tour in the Vila Nova de Gaia neighborhood serves as the next best alternative. Here, numerous winemakers store and age hundreds of millions of liters of wine, and many of them have recently opened their doors to the public.

One of the public-friendly wine cellars in Porto is Calem. I spent several enjoyable hours wandering through their caves, learning about their rich history, and tasting some of their most exquisite port wines. If a visit to a wine cellar has crossed your mind, keep reading to discover what a trip to Calem, or one of its neighboring establishments, has in store for you.

Note: I fully paid for my Calem wine cellar tour and did not disclose my status as a blogger to my guide or any staff members. Additionally, while Calem is officially noted as Cálem, written with an accent on the “a”, I will omit it here for compatibility reasons.

All About the Calem Wine Cellars in Porto, Portugal

Though Vila Nova de Gaia is technically a different city, most people associate it with Porto, Portugal. Located on the opposite bank of the Douro River from Porto’s historic center, it can be easily reached by foot, bus, metro, or car in less than five minutes (really!).

In 1926, the Portuguese government enacted a law mandating that all wine producers in the Douro Valley move their storage, aging, and export operations to Vila Nova de Gaia, thus freeing up space in Porto and establishing stronger regulation over port wine production. This law remained in effect until the 1980s, solidifying Vila Nova de Gaia as the heart of Portugal’s port wine industry.

Calem is among the many producers that continue to operate in Vila Nova de Gaia today. Founded in 1859, the company initially aimed to penetrate the lucrative Brazilian market. Over time, Calem also gained popularity among local Portuguese, and today it stands as one of the most well-known wine houses in the country.

Calem’s wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia are conveniently located right on the waterfront, less than 100 meters from the lower level of the Ponte Luis I Bridge.

An Overview of the Calem Wine Tour

I highly recommend purchasing your Calem tickets in advance, especially during peak season. They do sell out, particularly for English-language tours. I secured my tickets about three days before my visit to get a timeslot that worked best for me.

There are several tasting options available, which I’ll outline shortly. However, I generally suggest opting for one of the tours that include three wine tastings.

During my visit, the Calem Wine Tour experience consisted of four main stops:

• Port Wine Museum – Visitors have free time to explore this interactive museum that covers the wine-making process from soil to bottle.
• Tour of Calem Wine Cellars – Our guide then led us into Calem’s wine cellars to observe how port wine is aged and stored.
• Calem Port Wine Tasting – After that, we moved upstairs to a wine tasting room, seated according to which tasting package we had purchased.
• Calem Wine Shop – At the end of your visit, you’ll exit through Calem’s boutique, where you can purchase bottles of the wines you tasted, along with various gift sets and local specialties like jams and chocolates.

Exploring the Calem Port Wine Museum

You’ll want to arrive about five to ten minutes before your scheduled time—there’s no need to arrive any earlier. Guests will queue at the entrance until the exact moment they are permitted to enter, at which point the staff will scan tickets and usher guests inside.

The first part of the Calem Porto tour involves a self-guided exploration of the museum. Interactive exhibits detail what makes the Douro Valley so ideal for wine-making, from the specific soil types to the climate. You’ll learn about the grape harvesting and processing that culminate in the various wines and ports.

It can get a bit crowded, with up to fifty guests in the museum at once. I recommend starting at the far end of the displays and working your way backward to avoid the main flow of visitors.

Since my visit, the cellars have also introduced a 5D cinema featuring an immersive film about the Douro Valley, which I’m eager to hear feedback about from those who have seen it!

Inside the Calem Wine Cellars

After spending roughly twenty minutes at the museum, your guide will gather the group to head into the Calem wine cellars. This is where they store millions of liters of wine, meticulously monitoring the aging and fermentation processes to ensure each batch is nothing short of perfect.

Your guide will wear a microphone so everyone can hear them as they describe the grape harvesting, processing into wine, and the art and science behind aging and fortifying the iconic port beverage. Coming from various backgrounds, I always enjoy learning about regional nuances in wine production and how they relate to local culture and economy. While you are expected to stay with your guide, I found it perfectly acceptable to step aside a bit for photographs and to look for a barrel from the year I was born (unfortunately, I wasn’t successful, but perhaps you’ll have better luck!).

The cellar tour lasts around thirty minutes, during which you’re encouraged to ask questions about what you’re learning. Tours are available in English, French, Italian, or Spanish, ensuring that your guide can explain everything clearly!

Tasting Options at Calem

After our guided exploration of the Calem Porto wine cellars, we headed upstairs to the tasting room. On the way, we were divided into groups based on the tasting packages we had selected and directed to the respective tables set with our chosen wines.

I opted for a package that included three wine pairings (which I highly recommend—two is simply not enough!), so I found myself in that section. Each table accommodates two guests, allowing couples to either sit side by side or across from one another, while solo travelers are paired with one another.

As soon as everyone is settled, you’re free to begin your tasting immediately. Several staff members will circulate, explaining the different wines, but the experience is relatively autonomous.

Interestingly, I discovered that my palate prefers the more affordable ports (especially the rosé!), as I found myself enjoying them more than the pricier options. Nevertheless, I appreciate having sampled some high-end ports to understand what I might have been missing!

Exploring the Boutique at Calem Porto

You’re free to head down to Calem’s boutique and gift shop as soon as you’re finished with the tasting—there’s no need to wait for your group. Any price surprises should be minimal, as your table in the tasting room will list the wines you sampled along with their retail prices.

Personally, I refrained from buying anything in the gift shop, as I had a few weeks left in Portugal and didn’t want to lug heavy wine bottles with me. However, I was tempted by unique products like a delicious pumpkin jam and some local chocolates, but carrying these would have been cumbersome for the rest of my day’s adventures.

If you prefer, you can always swing by the gift shop after your day of sightseeing, as you can access it directly from the street without going through the cellars.

Before I left, I made sure to snap a photo of the price list to compare with prices at the Continente supermarket near my Porto hotel. The prices were similar, but the selection at the Calem shop in Vila Nova de Gaia was distinctly better. If you’re keen on a specific bottle, it’s best to pick it up here or be prepared to order online later.

Is the Calem Wine Tour in Porto Worth It?

If you only have two days or less in Porto, the Calem wine tour is undoubtedly worth your time. This region is internationally celebrated for its port wines, and a brief visit to Calem offers a fantastic introduction to the area’s specialties.

However, if you’re staying for three days or more in Porto, I would suggest dedicating a day to explore the Douro Valley itself. Experiencing the vineyards and the breathtaking landscapes that yield the grapes is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; it was the highlight of my week in Porto. You can check out this specific tour that I recommend, as well as my article on what to expect during the tour.

For wine enthusiasts, the option to do both the Douro Valley tour and a tasting at Calem (or another cellar in Vila Nova de Gaia) is definitely on the table.

If you’re traveling with children, you might want to consider their patience levels while you enjoy wine tastings. The kids I observed at Calem appeared moderately engaged with the museum and tour content but seemed rather bored during the tasting experience. The unveiling of the aforementioned “5D Cinema” could potentially enhance the appeal for families visiting Porto.

Other Port Wine Tours & Tastings in Porto

As I previously mentioned, spending one of your days in Porto on an excursion to the Douro Valley is a must for trips of three days or longer. My recommended tour is run by a local family and showcases independent wineries — click here for all the details.

However, several other wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia offer tours similar to Calem’s. Here are a few options to consider:

• Half-Day Port Wine Walking Tour – This highly-rated guided tour provides skip-the-line access to three port-centered venues, allowing you to taste seven different port wines. Wine lovers should take note!
• Graham’s Port Lodge Tour & Vintage Room Wine Tasting – A more upscale experience, this wine cellar located on the hill of Vila Nova de Gaia is open by invitation and appointment only. It features premium and super-premium tastings, each with single-harvest and vintage port wines.
• Taylor’s Port Cellar Tours and Tastings – Having produced port wine since 1692, Taylors ranks as one of the oldest producers in Vila Nova de Gaia, offering a tour of their cellars paired with a tasting of three port wines.
• Cockburn’s Cellar Tours and Tastings – Established by two Scottish brothers in the early 1800s, Cockburn’s has become one of the largest port producers in the region. Their tour features various tastings, all following a one-hour cellar tour. As with Calem, be sure to book a tasting with three or more options!
• Self-Guided Tour of the Fonseca Wine Cellars – Concerned about your kids getting bored? This historical wine cellar (dating back to 1815) allows you to explore at your own pace, concluding with a glass of wine or grape juice. They even provide a family ticket for two adults and two kids at a discounted price.

If you are genuinely enthusiastic about wine and can hold your drinks, you can definitely visit two or three Porto wine cellars in a single day. Just make sure to schedule each tour at least two to three hours apart, and try to book them in geographical order – from east to west it’s Burmester, Calem, Fonseca, Cockburns, and Grahams, while passing several others along the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Calem wine tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, which includes a visit to the museum, the cellars, and a tasting session.

Is it better to book the wine tour in advance?

Yes, especially during the high season, as tours can sell out quickly. Booking in advance is recommended to secure your preferred time.

Are tastings included in the tour price?

Yes, the tour includes tastings, with various options available depending on the package selected.

Can children participate in the Calem wine tour?

Yes, children can join the tour, but it’s important to keep in mind their interest levels during the tasting components of the experience.