30 April 2026

For those who follow the Douro and its neighbours closely, Sernancelhe is not just the land of chestnuts. It is also a wine-growing region of immense richness, situated within the Távora-Varosa demarcated region, internationally renowned for its high-altitude sparkling wines — and which, year on year, is also making its mark with its white and red wines.

The Momentos com Vinho festival was launched in 2022 with a clear aim: to showcase this region, bringing together producers, winemakers, chefs and wine lovers in one place, and to demonstrate that the wine here is also of the highest quality. Since that first edition, the event has grown to become a highlight on the food and wine calendar of northern inland Portugal.

What can you expect from this year’s event?

Over two days, the Sernancelhe Wine Fair will welcome dozens of producers from the Távora-Varosa, Douro, Dão and Beira Interior regions. The programme combines wine tastings, pairings guided by sommeliers and winemakers, show cooking sessions with guest chefs, themed workshops and concerts — all designed to ensure that every visit is a complete multi-sensory experience.

Saturday kicks off at 5 pm with the official opening ceremony, a WineCast featuring producers and a sommelier, free wine tastings until 9 pm, a show cooking session with wine pairings, and evening entertainment with live concerts. Sunday opens at 3 pm, with tastings led by sommelier António Lopes, another WineCast, a cooking demonstration with a guest chef, and live music on stage until closing time.

The big news: Tripaforra

This year’s event launches an initiative that promises to win over fans of local cuisine: Tripaforra – A Gastronomic and Wine Trail. Designed to take participants on a journey to discover the authentic flavours of Sernancelhe in a spirit of conviviality and sharing, Tripaforra takes in the best spots in the municipality on a route open to the public and all visitors. Bookings are available at tripaforra.pt/inscricoes, with places limited.

A gathering of regions that’s well worth the trip

One of the features that sets ‘Momentos com Vinho’ apart from other wine events is its focus on bringing regions together. From the very first edition, the Sernancelhe local council invited the Douro and Dão regions to take part; in subsequent editions, Beira Interior joined in, and the event has even welcomed producers from Montpellier and Switzerland. For readers of I Love Douro, the connection is obvious: Douro wines have made their mark on this stage, engaging in a dialogue with the elegant sparkling wines of Távora-Varosa in a fusion of identities that can only enrich those who taste them.

The figures confirm its success: in the first edition, 3,000 tasting glasses were snapped up; in the next, the supply doubled to 6,000. Year after year, the event has established itself with nearly a hundred producers and an attendance that has now exceeded 5,000 visitors.