While I was in Portugal with my family over the Christmas Break at the start of the year we stopped in at Cockburn’s Winery in Porto for a spot of port tasting and a winery tour before we left the city. The winery is located at the top of a hill that is quite steep — but one well worth walking back along to see some stunning views of the city on the other side of the river as you work your way back to the bridge. The tour price included a tasting and was only a few Euros per person. We began with a guided tour of their winery and cellar facilities, followed by a short video on the winery and the family that run it before ending with a tasting of their Ruby and Tawny ports. It was quite impressive to see so many tanks and barrels filled with port, especially for someone like me who had never really given port the time of day prior to my trip to Porto. I have to say after my time in Porto I was wrong about port and it definitely has a time and place to be enjoyed along with all other wines! Both ports were delicious. I had a slight preference for the Ruby due to it begin the lighter of the two however I am sure that was biased by my novice palate being that this was my first port tasting. I would happily drink either one again with some cheese and perhaps even as a spritzer on a hot summers day by the Duoro River should I ever return to Porto, something I do hope will happen again in my lifetime as it was a wonderful city to visit. I would happily recommend this winery as a stop while in Porto.
Evan S.
Place rating: 4 Scotts Valley, CA
I originally just came for a tasting, but was then told that a tour was also included in my € 10 tasting fee. I went ahead and did the tour which was pretty cool. It was pretty amazing to see the warehouse full of Port which was apparently the largest in the area. Our tour guide spoke English well and made the tour fun. The tasting was pretty good and their 2007 Vintage included on the tasting was definitely exceptional.
