The “Espaço Porto Cruz” is quite different from the other Lodges in Gaia. It’s located quite next to the Sandeman Lodge – and it seems that these buildings are centuries apart, at least from the inside. On the outside, the Porto Cruz building blends nicely in with all the other buildings at the Gaia waterfront… It was built in the 18th century, restored in 1881 and again totally remodeled in 2012. While the old facade remains, the interior is absolutely modern. Concrete and urban elegance. Cruz wants to use this space not only for showing their wines, but also to show exhibitions around the world of Port Wine and other cultural activities, that somehow fit into the world of the Douro and the wine.

The approach of this place is to let you find your own way into Port Wine. You have a places where you can watch movies and learn about the company and Port Wine. There is a large tasting room, which is absolutely bare so that nothing distracts your senses from the tasting of the wine. This is different compared with most of the other Lodges, where you sit in the middle of an often quite huge crowd in nearly medieval-looking settings.

There are many different tasting menus available – it depends on your passion (and a little bit on the wallet), which experience you want to make.

Porto Cruz – 3 Porto wines – 7,50 Euros
Tawnys – 3 Aged Tawnys – 15 Euros
Vintage – 3 Vintage Port – 18 Euros
Whites – 3 Whites Port – 17,50 Euros
Tasting 3 Port wines and 3 Chocolates – 9 Euros
Tasting 3 Port wines and 3 Cheeses – 9 Euros
Tasting 5 Port wines and 5 Cheeses– 18 Euros
Premium Tasting of 7 Port wines – 45 Euros

Should you prefer to do your tasting with quite some more distraction, then please follow me to the roof-top of the building, the “360º TERRACE LOUNGE”. From here you have a great view towards Ribeira and the other lodges of Gaia. You can order also Port- and Douro Wines up here, but the selection is not as huge as in the Tasting Room. However, if you want to do yourself something really nice, then please try here the 1963 Golden White Port. It’s not exactly cheap (EUR 16,00) – but it’s an amazing wine that should be enjoyed in such a beautiful environment.

Should you be hungry, then you can order some food up here on the roof-top… or, if you like it more fancy, then please go down one floor, to the DeCastro Gaia Restaurant. Chef Miguel Castro Silva prepares very interesting food, nicely arranged; reasonably prized. An unexpected surprise in a Port Wine lodge…

 

 

Timetable:

From Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00 – 12:30 and from 14:00 to 19:00. Closed on Mondays.

The DeCastro Gaia Restaurant is closed on Sunday evenings and on Mondays.

Webpage: www.myportocruz.com

Email: geral@myportocruz.com

For reservations at the DeCastro Gaia Restaurant, use the following email: decastrogaia@myportocruz.com  or call at (00351) 910553559.

At the 360º TERRACE LOUNGE lunch is available in the summer from 12:30 – 15:00; from 15:00 until 19:00 snacks are available.