Vale De Mendiz – Wine Landscape and Trails in the Alto Douro

Vale De Mendiz combines the wine landscape of the Alto Douro with hiking trails, traces of history and insights into regional wine production. Those looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home for their stay can choose the location according to the type of trip they want: the main attractions are landscape experiences, cultural history, wineries and a riverside bathing area on the Pinhão.

Vineyards and a Special Hiking Trail

The PR19 hiking trail runs through the wine landscape of the Alto Douro. UNESCO recognises this as a living, evolving cultural landscape. The trail passes through several historic Douro wineries with terraced vineyards. Local people created the terraces on the steep, rugged slopes of the Douro Valley and its main tributaries, and they are used almost exclusively for the production of port wine.

The circular hiking trail “Trilho de Casal de Loivos – Vilarinho de Cotas – Vale de Mendiz” begins and ends in Vale de Mendiz. This makes it possible to plan a stay with a clear focus on hiking without losing sight of the village as the trail’s starting and finishing point. Families wishing to combine different interests can plan a day featuring landscapes, local history and regional products.

Landmarks, Church and Village Character

One of the unusual historical details is granite landmark No. 4. It is part of a group of around one hundred similar landmarks that geographically demarcated the Alto Douro wine region. The stone bears the inscription “FEITORIA 1758” and measures 172 cm in height and 48 cm in width. Such tangible traces give the wine landscape an additional historical dimension.

The parish church of Vale de Mendiz, Igreja de São Domingos, stands in a rural, freestanding location in the Cima Corgo subregion. The settlement lies on a rocky promontory above the Pinhão River; traditional buildings stand on both sides of the road running through the village. Those interested in established village character and regional architectural history will find a different way of experiencing the landscape here than on the wine trail.

The round wine press of Vale de Mendiz is another distinctive feature of the village. It was built in the 19th century and is considered unique throughout the Alto Douro region.

Wine Tastings and Estate Trails

At Wine&Soul, wine tastings include a visit to the winery in Vale de Mendiz. They always end in the wine shop, where wines and Wine&Soul products are available. Quinta dos Lagares has two trails. Visitors can discover native woodland, old vineyards at high elevations, centuries-old olive trees and cork oaks, five granite lagares, and the estate chapel. There is also a tasting room at the entrance to the quinta, which also serves as a sales outlet for the wines and olive oil produced there.

River Landscape and Other Destinations

Praia Fluvial do Passadouro, also known as Vale de Mendiz, is a riverside bathing area recommended for swimming in the Pinhão River. The Pinhão flows into the Douro. Depending on your preferred travel date, you can give different weight to wine, hiking, local history and time by the water.

For further searches for suitable places, you can also consider Pinhao, Alijó, Pópulo, Castedo, Favaios, Vilar de Maçada, Santa Eugénia and Cotas. This allows you to adapt your choice of accommodation to your preferred focus among wine landscapes, culture and nature experiences.

For the overview of the wider area: Alijó.