Melgaço’s much anticipated Festa do Alvarinho e do Fumeiro has returned after last year’s unfortunate hiatus. This past weekend at Soalheiro we celebrated the festival in a new way, welcoming guests on our green terrace. Visitors enjoyed our many expressions of Alvarinho, free of charge, surrounded by the beautiful landscape of our Territory. Luckily, if you were not able to join us last weekend, the festival this year covers two weekends, and we will be celebrating again this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (May 14, 15, and 16). It’s something you do not want to miss!
A new take on Melgaço’s favourite festival
The Festa do Alvarinho e do Fumeiro is a popular yearly tradition that celebrates two of the region’s most beloved delicacies: Alvarinho and smoked meats (known as fumeiro locally). This year it features sixteen local wineries of Monção and Melgaço, alongside several local producers and in partnership with more than ten restaurants. Locals and visitors alike look forward to this festival year after year and at Soalheiro we are happy to celebrate the flavours of our region once again.
In a ‘normal’ year, the Festa do Alvarinho takes place in the centre of Melgaço, with wineries and producers setting up stands to offer tastings and sell their products. But, as we know, this year is anything but normal, so the festival has adjusted its format to be able to continue enjoying the local flavours in a safe environment. In the town centre, there is a shop where wines and other goods from each producer may still be purchased, but the tastings have moved to the individual wineries. The Festa do Alvarinho e do Fumeiro is now spread over two weekends, preventing crowds and allowing everyone plenty of time to come and taste the flavours of Melgaço.
Come and join us at Soalheiro
Here at Soalheiro, you can taste our wide range of wines, free of charge, while enjoying the breathtaking view of Alvarinho valley and the mountains of Monção and Melgaço. If you plan to join us (which you should!), we ask you to make a reservation online (here, under eventos), by e-mail (enoturismo@soalheiro.com), or by phone (00351 251 416 769), so we can accommodate everyone with a proper social distance. If you can’t make it, we have put together a special Festa do Alvarinho 2021 Pack that you can order in our online store to celebrate this local tradition from the comfort of your home. The Festa do Alvarinho 2021 Pack contains 2 of our wines (Clássico and Granit), traditional smoked pork from Quinta de Folga, goat cheese from Prados de Melgaço, a t-shirt paying homage to our Territory, and a voucher for a Classic Wine Tasting for 2 people to be used in the future.
Things may look a little different this year, but the celebrated spirit of the Festa do Alvarinho e do Fumeiro is as strong as ever. We hope you can join us at Soalheiro this weekend (May 14, 15, and 16), or let us bring Soalheiro to you with our Festa do Alvarinho 2021 Pack!
Author: Corinna Wallace
