Wine course

Wine course in Portugal

The Winemaker – Winemaking in Theory and Practice

Those who love wine, but want to go a step further than just tasting and drinking, have come to the right place at The Winemaker. The five-days Wine course in Portugal: Winemaking in Theory and Practice at The Winemaker is the ultimate hands-on course for wine enthusiasts who want to understand and master the art of winemaking themselves.

The Winemaker Maarten van Luyt has very extensive experience, obtained in wine regions all over the globe. For more than ten years he has been living now in one the most special wine regions of the world: the Douro, a region mentioned on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Maarten’s enthusiasm and knowledge make him the ideal source of inspiration and information for anyone who wants to get acquainted with wine production.

In the five-days Wine course in Portugal: Winemaking in Theory and Practice, Maarten will take you through the entire winemaking process and give you a thorough understanding of how the wines are produced. From the treatment of the vineyard till the production activities in the winery. Of course he also guides you through the experience of smelling, feeling and tasting the Portuguese wines and ports.

Theory and Practice

The course location and B&B are literally on the edge of the vineyard. The theory about growth, flowering and harvest is therefore immediately a practical experience.

Thanks to the unique collaboration between the Portuguese winegrowers, an educational visit will be made to one of the classic vineyards and wineries in the region. Portugal and the Douro are famous for the Portwines. Therefore the port-making process is also part of the program.

After this course week you will know how wines are produced in Portugal using traditional as well as modern techniques. At the end of the course you will put all that you have learned into practice by blending and bottling your own wine (to take home).

The winemaking course is given to a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 8 people at a time. The B&B “Stay at The Winemaker” has two rooms available (for 2 x 2 persons). If you don’t stay at the Winemaker, we can advise or assist you in booking good hotels nearby. Due to the course location and some off-site activities, it is advised to bring (or arrange) your own transportation.

Do you want to register for a course or want more information about the possibilities or availability? Fill in the information form below and we will contact you directly.

    Course dates 2024:
    • April 21-26, 2024
    • June 16-21, 2024
    • September 22-27, 2024 (Harvest course)*
    Course dates 2025:
    • April 13-18, 2025
    • Juni 15-20, 2025
    • September 21-26, 2025 (Harvest course)*

    * The Harvest course in September includes hands-on harvest and production activities as the harvest time demands. Therefore the Harvest course will have a flexible program.

    Summary:
    • Pre-course introduction evening and BBQ, sunday evening
    • 5 days of classes: monday morning to friday noon
    • Class times: 9.30 am – 4 pm
    Tuition per person:
    • €1250,= incl. 5 nights Stay at the Winemaker accommodation, incl. breakfast and lunch, 3x dinner included
    • €995,= incl. lunch and 3x dinner (excl. accommodation and breakfast)
    • €195,= single-use surcharge of Stay at the Winemaker double room

     

    Program

    Day 0:
    • Check-in at the Quinta (or your hotel) 
    • Group introduction
    • BBQ Dinner at the Quinta
    Day 1:
    • Base theory of winemaking (white and red)
    • Lunch at the Quinta
    • White wine making in detail – nobelrot
    • White wine introduction and tasting (e.g. sweet, bubbles, dry)
    • Dinner (optional)
    Day 2:
    • Vineyard tour and seasonal activity (pruning/picking)
    • Lunch at the Quinta
    • Red wine making in detail
    • Red wine introduction and tasting (e.g. full, elegant, fruity)
    • Dinner at the Quinta
    Day 3:
    Day 4:
    • Port production and tasting
    • Lunch
    • Afternoon Port tour at Quinta de Bomfim
    • Rabelo boat tour on the Douro river
    • Dinner at local restaurant in Pinhao
    Day 5:
    • Blend your own wine (to take home)
    • Lunch at the Quinta
    • Course examination
    • Hand-out certificates

    (depending on the registrations this course will be in Dutch or English)

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