I have never devoted an entire blog page to a winery, but such was the day.

Our trip to Lisbon lead us through some beautiful vineyards and GPT Chat suggested a wine tasting and lunch at ODE Winery, about 75 km north of Lisbon. It was grey and trying to rain so we went for it, expecting a sandwich while leaning on the bar. What we found was a fantastic wine and lunch experience.

A lot of low hanging fruit ready to be picked.

Driving up to the winery it looks like an old bond store but through the gates the carpark was spacious so hopeful. The cellar door and restaurant was spacious, elegant and classy and immediately reminded us of some expensive establishments in the Barossa and Hunter.

We enquired about a tasting to be told that unless we had booked 3 or 4 days ago, tastings were not available but we could buy wine with lunch. After pulling the “Australians a long way from home’ card, our greeter said he would see what he could do. We were granted a tasting.

Afonso soon appeared with the first wine and Collette’s coffee. We started talking to soon find out that ODE is owned and run by some Australians and that one of them may be able to give me a tour after lunch. So we decided on lunch and it was a fabulous offering of Asian Fusion, very well priced and beautifully presented.

The tasting (costing 15 E) consisted of 3 white and 2 red of generous proportions. The best was this Aristo / Fernao Pires blend closely followed by the red Touriga Nacional.

Afonso, our sommelier, really knows his stuff.

With the lunch and wine tasting finished Jim Cawood, Director of Wine and Good Times, introduced himself. After a significant chat he offered to take me on a tour of the winery which of course I jumped at. Collette was left chatting to Jim’s 5 yr old son.

Original press for the basket press.

The winery was started in 1902 but floundered in the 2008 GFC. The Aussie crew revived it in 2021.

Jim explaining the delicacies of the grape stomping method which they still use for some limited production.

Current use basket press which presses from the bottom.

Still using some traditional wine making methods, here with some encouragement.

One of the barrel rooms.

The corporate wine tasting room.

They have done very well in their 5 years.

Owners Andrew Homan and David Clarkin with Jim Cawood. These guys have created an awesome business with a great team of people that was an absolute delight to visit. We came expecting another tourist trap. We left after 3 fabulous hours wishing we could stay.

If you ever get near this place make the time to book a visit. You won’t be disappointed.

Tomorrow we hit the sights of Lisbon.