Wine Routes

Bucelas and Its Arinto: The Prince of Portuguese Wines

5 November

A Heritage from the Romans

Located just 25 kilometres from Lisbon, the small town of Bucelas is a true treasure of Portuguese viticulture. With a history dating back over two thousand years, it was during the Roman Empire that the Arinto grape variety found in Bucelas the ideal terroir to develop – clay-limestone soils, a moderate Atlantic climate and hills that favour natural drainage.

This noble white variety has produced a wine with a strong identity, lively acidity and incredible longevity, characteristics that have made Bucelas famous far beyond Portugal’s borders.

From Protagonist of the Discoveries to Royal Toast

During the Age of the Great Navigations, Arinto de Bucelas was a faithful companion to Portuguese navigators, thanks to its durability and freshness preserved even after long voyages. There are historical records that tell us that, on returning from the discovery of the sea route to India, the sailors of the caravel São Gabriel celebrated with wine from Bucelas.

Arinto’s international reputation grew even more in the following centuries. In the Elizabethan period, it became known in England as “Charneco”, due to the ancient name of the region, and was even quoted by William Shakespeare in Henry VI – Part 2.

In the 19th century, the Duke of Wellington, during the Napoleonic Wars, was so impressed with the wine that he sent it to King George III, who enjoyed it daily as a medicinal tonic.

Bucelas Today: Wine, History and Sustainability

Today, Bucelas keeps its wine-growing vocation alive, combining tradition with modern, sustainable techniques. One of the highlights is the Quinta da Murta, a 27-hectare estate that grows organic wines using biodynamic viticulture practices.

Care for the soil, the use of indigenous yeasts and minimal intervention in the winemaking process result in labels that express the local terroir with purity.

Wine tourism in Bucelas offers a complete experience:

Guided walks through the vineyards;
Visit to the cellars and commented tastings of wines and sparkling wines at Caves Velhas – click here and book an experience at Caves Velhas & Quinta Do Boição on Winalist;
Picnics among the vineyards with local products – Book your experience at Quinta das Murtas;
Interpretive trails such as the Bucelas Wine & Heritage Trail;
And the unmissable visit to the Wine and Vine Museum, which preserves and celebrates the history of the region and its link with the United Kingdom.

Tasting at Caves Velhas

Visit to the Wine and Vineyard Museum

Bucelas: Much More than Wine

But Bucelas is more than just a destination for wine lovers. It’s a plunge into Portuguese culture: between Roman roads, fortresses that resisted Napoleon and stunning natural landscapes, every visit is a journey back in time. The presence of myrtle, an aromatic plant considered sacred, reinforces this connection between nature, spirituality and tradition.

So we arrive at Quinta das Murgas with a full wine tourism proposal: customizable wine tastings (from €25 per person), outdoor picnics, and even horseback riding, creating a memorable experience for couples, families or groups of friends.

👉 Book your experience at Quinta das Murgas through Winalist and experience the best of Portuguese wine tourism:

A Hidden Gem to be Discovered

Visiting Bucelas is like opening a bottle of liquid history. It’s feeling the past in every sip, walking through vineyards that have witnessed empires and toasting a wine that has enchanted kings and poets.

If you’re looking for authenticity, rural charm, lively culture and excellent wines, Bucelas is your next destination. A village that offers the best of Portugal in a golden chalice of Arinto – fresh, elegant and unforgettable.

Come and discover Bucelas and let yourself fall in love with the prince of Portuguese wines.