A NEW WINE HOTEL

After another long, winding road we were high in the upper Douro Valley, in the parking lot of the Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo estate. Quinta Nova dates back to 1758 when the first vineyard was planted. The wine cellar has some history too. It was built in 1764, the same year as the estate's baroque chapel. The estate covers 120 hectares (296 acres) of breathtaking rolling hills. They became even more appealing in June 2005, when the estate opened the luxury Hotel Rural Burmester. All 11 immaculately clean rooms are decorated in 18th-century style, using local materials like slate and cork. This wine-focused hotel includes breakfast and wine baths in its rates, which begin at €75 ($95). There are also walking and biking trails, and the hotel prepares picnic baskets. Guests who come at this time of year can help harvest, too!