Every year, on November 11, we celebrate St. Martin’s Day in Portugal, which is actually an autumn ritual that combines roasted chestnuts, fire, new wine, and socializing.
In the wine-growing region of the District of Lisbon, this date takes on a special flavor, as it combines the proximity of the vineyards, the tradition of magusto, and the discovery of the first wines of the year.
If you are a visitor passing through Lisbon or live in this region and want to enjoy an authentic moment of wine tourism and tradition, this guide is for you. Here you will find everything you need: what magusto is, why people drink água-pé and new wine, how to organize or participate in an event in 2025, and, most importantly, in which wineries and municipalities in the Lisbon District you can taste this very Portuguese spirit.
Want to explore the vineyards and wineries of the Lisbon District during São Martinho? Discover exclusive wine tourism experiences on Winalist and easily book your wine tasting.
Tradition in Lisbon
Magustos and Chestnuts
Oeiras is known for its historical heritage, natural beauty, and wine-making tradition dating back to the 18th century. Despite being one of the most urban municipalities in the metropolitan region, Oeiras preserves wine tourism gems of enormous cultural and gastronomic value, such as the famous Carcavelos Wine, one of the oldest wines in Portugal.
Just 17 km from the center of Lisbon, about 15 to 20 minutes by car, the Marquês de Pombal Palace in Oeiras is now the epicenter of this unique wine experience, combining history, culture, and flavor.
In this article, we explore the possibilities of wine tourism in Oeiras: visits to historic wineries, gastronomic experiences, wine festivals with specific dates, and all the practical information you need to book your experience.
Practical Tips for Participating in Magusto in Lisbon
Confirm the date: Although the day is November 11, many events at wineries may bring forward or extend the magusto to the nearest weekend.
Choose the location: Urban parks (in Lisbon or the suburbs) or farms/wineries that organize wine-themed magustos are excellent options.
Get ready to roast chestnuts: Bring good chestnuts, a knife or nail to mark them, coarse salt, and a safe board or container to stir them in the embers.
Bring your own wine or choose to taste: Many wineries offer new wine or grape juice on site.
Atmosphere and entertainment: Enjoy the bonfire, the laughter, the conviviality, and sometimes traditional music, savoring the ritual as much as the flavor.
For those looking for a genuine wine tourism experience, combining the magusto with new wine tasting in a winery setting makes all the difference.
Some of these farms and wineries can be visited through organized tours. See options for visits and wine tastings on GetYourGuide or Viator and enjoy the spirit of São Martinho.
Água-pé, New Wine, and the Beverages of São Martinho
Água-pé: What it is and Why it Appears at This Festival
Água-pé is a traditional Portuguese drink with low alcohol content, made by adding water to grape pomace (pé or engaço) after pressing, fermenting in a simple way. In the context of São Martinho, it is a light and very popular drink to accompany chestnuts.
New Wine
New wine is the first wine of the harvest, which traditionally can be tasted from St. Martin’s Day onwards. In Portugal, there is a strong tradition of tasting new wine on this day, and there was a time when its sale before St. Martin’s Day was prohibited, under penalty of a fine.
In Lisbon and the surrounding area, new wine is an invitation to visit a winery, climb up to the vineyards, and experience the “freshness” of this still-young vintage.
Pairing Chestnuts + Water/New Wine
An unmissable combination is roasted chestnuts, água-pé (a traditional drink made from grape marc) or chilled new wine (or at the right temperature), with the autumnal landscape of vineyards and wineries. This combination celebrates tradition, terroir, and conviviality.
Where in the Lisbon District to Taste New Wine and Celebrate São Martinho in 2025?
To embrace the spirit of wine tourism and ensure unforgettable memories, here are some suggestions for places and events in the Lisbon District where you can taste the new wine, participate in magustos, or simply enjoy the São Martinho moment.
Note: It is recommended that you always check the schedule for each location for 2025 in advance and make a reservation, especially for events in private spaces.
Urban Magustos and in Suburban Municipalities
- Urban Events in Lisbon: Some wine bars or wine lounges and municipalities in Lisbon organize special São Martinho events, with chestnuts, new wine, and embers, an excellent option for those in the city.
- Municipalities with Programming: Many municipalities outside the center of Lisbon promote traditional magusto and São Martinho events, often with free admission.
Suggestions for Wineries (Wine Tourism)
Wineries in the Colares DOC region (Lisbon District): This area has an ancient wine-making tradition and venues suitable for tastings and events.
Wineries or estates that organize Magustos or New Wine Tastings: Check the websites or social media pages of wineries such as Adega D`Arrocha and Quinta do Gradil to find events. Choose locations with views of the vineyards or mountains for a more memorable experience.
For those planning to visit the wineries and events in São Martinho, it is an excellent idea to book in advance—both the wine experiences and your stay. See options for hotels and rural houses near the wineries on Booking.com with special rates for November.
Calendar of Confirmed Events in the District of Lisbon for 2025:
Festas de São Martinho em Oeiras
Magustos tradicionais em dois locais: Largo 5 de Outubro (Oeiras) e Parque Anjos (Algés). Entrada livre.
Assarão 12 toneladas de castanhas com o vinho de Carcavelos "Villa Oeiras".
Festas de São Martinho de Casais de Aijo
Festividades de São Martinho.
Festas de Torres Vedras
Celebração do outono, São Martinho, vinha e vinho, com provas de produtos locais.
São Martinho na Adega D’Arrocha
Música ao vivo, porco no espeto, doçaria regional, caldo verde e prova de vinhos.
Reservas via @adegadarrocha.
Almoço Vínico de São Martinho na Quinta do Gradil
Almoço com prova de vinhos novos.
Reservas: enoturismo@quintadogradil.pt
Feira de Artesanato de São Martinho
Feira dedicada à cultura popular, convívio e artesanato.
Programa de São Martinho AdegaMãe
Visita à adega, prova de vinhos novos, almoço na vinha e magusto. Requer reserva.
Quick Tips – Lisbon Wine Routes
If you prefer a complete guided tour with transportation included, check out the tours available on GetYourGuide or Viator.
Quinta do Gradil is also listed on Winalist, where you can book tasting experiences and guided tours.
Want to take advantage of São Martinho to learn more about the region? Rent a car with Auto Europe and explore the vineyards, farms, and small wine-producing villages of the Lisbon district at your leisure.
If you are planning to travel to Lisbon in November, don’t forget to take out travel insurance. IATI Seguros offers plans with excellent coverage for trips to Portugal, ideal for those who come to celebrate São Martinho with peace of mind.
Celebrating São Martinho in the Lisbon District is an immersion in Portuguese culture, new wine, roasted chestnuts, bonfires, conviviality, and terroir. Whether you are just passing through Lisbon or live in the region and want an authentic experience, there are opportunities waiting for you—and this guide is designed to help you find them.
Join a magusto, taste the água-pé or new wine, visit a winery, and capture moments that will remain in your memory. And above all, live the spirit of “On Saint Martin’s Day, you eat chestnuts and taste wine!” Get ready for November 2025: good chestnuts, good wine, and good times.
FAQ - Frequent Asked Questions
Posso participar de um magusto urbano em Lisboa e beber vinho novo mesmo estando na cidade?
Yes. Several wine bars and venues in Lisbon host São Martinho events featuring roasted chestnuts, new wine, or água-pé. Check the local calendar and book in advance.
A água-pé é uma bebida alcoólica forte?
No. A água-pé has a lower alcohol content, resulting from the simple fermentation of pomace with water. It is ideal for the magusto.
Vinho novo só aparece no dia 11 de novembro?
Traditionally, starting on Saint Martin’s Day, the new wine can be tasted. Many wineries celebrate this date.
Há vinícolas abertas no fim de semana para a celebração do São Martinho?
Yes, in many wine-growing areas near Lisbon, there are wineries that organize tours, tastings, and magustos during that weekend. Check directly with each winery.
Qual a melhor forma de assar castanhas num magusto de vinícola?
Ideally cooked over hot coals or a campfire, with coarse salt and turned regularly. It can also be combined with chorizo sausage or rustic bread and enjoyed with a glass of aguardente or young wine, a simple and effective pairing.
