Beaches at Ericeira and a vineyard in Mafra
This is the travelling story to Mafra Council, highlighting its gastronomy, Ericeira beaches and the wine tasting at Gradil village.
The starting point, was at Águalva-Cacém city, part of Sintra Council, towards the Ericeira. Firstly, we have opted having lunch and while the travel has been taking place we have chosen O Cantinho da Rosa restaurant distancing 7 Kms south to Ericeira center. The restaurant has a fantastic landscape view to Mafra monastery.
Landscape of O Cantinho da Rosa restaurant with view to Mafra monastery
As starter we have ordered mushrooms with sausage, and to main meal portuguese Saloio stew, Octopus lagareiro and portuguese picanha steak. There is a popular saying “the eyes also eat”. And it’s so true, the dishes were visually well presented and they were a delicious.
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Portuguese Saloio stew
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After lunch, we went to Ericeira, visiting some of its famous beaches. Ericeira is about 30kms Northwest from Lisbon.
Map with visited beaches (without scale)
Ericeira beaches and its scenic coast, attract many surfers whole over the world. It´s considered World Surfing Reserve by the internacional Save the Waves, as the first in Europe and second in the world.
So, with clear sky full of light in a perfect scenary, with the Atlantic sea always in sight, following the coastal landscape we have visited some beaches:
Foz do Lizandro beach
It is one the beaches of Ericeira with the largest extension of sands. It´s unique in beauty due the mouth of the Lizandro river where is allowed to bathe. We have taken some pictures from the viewpoint where stands out the stair steps to the beach with the surrounding vegetation.
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South beach (or whale)
It´s one of the calm beaches, more wind protected and it has a shape of a bay. It has a pedestrian walk for a pleasant walk with the connection to the Vila Galé hotel.
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Algodio and São Sebastião beaches
They are close to each other, although with different characteristics. Simply,the Algodio beach has a good areal extension.
The access of areal beach of São Sebastião is done by step stairs very pretty from the portuguese pavement
From the pedestrian side at top, we can observe many amateurs and professional surfers waiting to “grab” the best wave.
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We also haven´t resisted to take a picture to the beautiful chapel of São Sebastião with tiles from XVII century and the mark about the history of Ericeira village.
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Empa beach
It has a fantastic landscape, with a planar rock into the sea. This beach is part of two waves awarded to Ericeira as World Surfing Reserve naming Pedra Branca e Reef. Click here to know more about surfing waves.
One of the accesses to Empa beach
Empa beach
Calada beach
Then, we went further North to the Encarnação parish at Calada beach.
The beach has a beautiful natural landscape bounded by two great cliffs. It also has a viewpoint with a fantastic view.
The viewpoint at Calada beach
Then we left for the wine tasting tour at Gradil village at quinta de Santana. From Ericeira to quinta de Santana is about 20kms east.
The farm backs since 1630 and had several owners. Since 1969 Mr. James family is the owner of the farm with an extension of 40 hectares. At the entrance, the yellow house with green windows and a creeper plant is part of its story.
Farm main house
The farm produces white and red organic wines in small quantities, resulting in complex and varied wines.
We started our experience in a relaxed atmosphere at the courtyard, tasting the first white wine. It was a 2019 wine with two varieties of Fernão Pires and Verdelho, a light wine and aromatic. Then the tasting followed other white wine, this time a 2018 Sauvignon with elderberry flavor, also aromatic, with good texture and long finish. Both of good quality.
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According to Mr. James, as we progressed in wine tasting the intensity of the wine increases that is, from light to more round.
Then, we moved to other farm location. Between hills and valleys, a space opens with a natural landscape to one of vineyards.
We tasted more two white wines. One of them was the Arinto of high acidity, aromatic predominantly with apple flavor at least in my mouth.
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View of one of vineyards
Observation and wine tasting
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We have approached to the vineyard for a better observation of the grape. According to the explanation the grapes give two harvests. The normal harvest from the “good” grape ” to the main wine production and the other for the latest harvest called “noble rot” of grapes to the sweet wine production as Riesling for example to dessert.
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After, we have visited the wine cellar, where the wine production processing takes place. This involves, the collection and grape treatment. Very briefly, grape treatment is related to quantities of sugar, acidity and the fermentation process where pneumatic tanks give rise wine. As a curiosity they are still treading grapes by foot in water tanks.
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Then we went to other room, where we have tasted three reserve red wines with three variations: Touriga Nacional, Merlot e Aragonez. We can say, they are mature elegant wines with good acidity.
Wine tasting room
This experience gave us a tremendous satisfaction and knowledge. We have learnt a little bit more how the wines are produced and how they reach their freshness, elegance and their different personalities in varieties.
There was still time to feel the calmness of Gradil village, walking by its alleys and taking a picture of its church.
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The beautiful Ericeira beaches, the wine tasting at Gradil village, its tranquility and pleasures connected to nature are an unique experience of this travel. Obviousley the delicious lunch where we have enjoyed in Mafra Council couldn’t be more than a reference.
Travelling is wonderful!
Thanks to Manuel Manero for blogging recommendations and the visitors for their photos permission
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