May 25
The hotel, we arrived at last mid night, is a historical structure built in 13th Century. It was so luxury.
However, we stayed there only less than 9 hours.
It was the fifth and the last day of our winery tour in Portugal.
We visited to Hedade Alorna in south Alentejo, which is own by a big German Financial Company.
It seemed to be a very big business.
The total size of the ground is 10,000 hectare!
How large is this?
There are pastures, farms, hotel & restaurant and vineyards & winery, etc.
The winery is big, modern, clean and very well-organized.
Then other two wineries joined to the event and had a wine tasting.
Each winery was had a big passion and very unique.
The atmosphere of the wineries in south area was different form the other ones.
After the tasting, we had a very nice lunch.
Every South Portugal dish was so delicious.
I was moved by the Alentejo Beef Steak came from the estate farm.
So delicious!
Thank you very much.
Then we moved to the final winery located 250 km north from the first winery.
Everybody slept well in the bus again except me.
By the way, there were two beautiful ladies seated both of my side on the bus during the tour.
As I chose the seat with broken seatbelt, I accidently got (?) the two ladies.
Choice a risk made me a big success (?)!
During the drive, I kept seeing cork-oaks, olive-fields and vineyards.
How large Portugal is !
The bus driver named Jose was a very good driver.
His driving technic was very well and safety.
Also his looks were very good.
Every lady of tour loves him.
At last, we arrived at Herdade de Pegos Claros, which was the final destination of the tour.
Mr. Bernardo Cabral welcomed us and guided to the vineyards and cellar.
Amazingly, they have about 18,000 hectare area.
They were well-known by breeding thoroughbred horses.
They had 130 hectare vineyards.
They kept 90% their ground to be natural for the environment conservation.
The vineyards and cellar were very well-organized.
Then we tried to the final tasting.
There were four wineries.
Each winery has an affiliation named Wine & Winemakers.
Oh! All of the wines here were very, very fine.
There was any no good wine here.
I was sure again, good winemakers know good wine makers.
I may find my purpose of the visit to Portugal at the last visit.
We were invited to the final dinner in the tour at the fine restaurant in hippodrome of their estate.
All of the dishes were very good, very delicious.
I enjoyed talking with Bernardo and his beautiful wine.
The all of the programs are finished.
We will take a very early morning flight tomorrow at 5:40.
Because of the international flight, we must arrive at the airport two hours before.
I must wake up at 2:00 am.
How hard schedule is this!
However, Jose will come to our hotel at 3: 00 am and send us to the airport.
How good driver is he!
We arrived at our hotel at 10:00 pm and had a small beer party there.
The bartender at the hotel bar looked very cute.
Every lady of the tour loves him.
Anyway, it was very hard winery tour but also very impressive.
I was educated a lot by this tour.
I become a Portugal wine lover and supporter.
Please expect me with Portuguese wines.
Thank you so much!!
