Melanie Leyshon headed east from Porto into the heart of Portugal’s vinho verde region to learn more about its signature white wines at the Monverde Wine Experience Hotel. As well as grape-picking, tasting and blending experiences, Monverde offers fine-dining tasting menus by Portuguese chef Carlos Silva, and pampering and relaxation at its spa and outdoor pool.

Where is it?

Just 50 minutes from Porto by car, the Monverde Wine Experience Hotel is nestled in the verdant wine-growing region of vinho verde in northwest Portugal.

What’s the accommodation like?

This modern hotel blends beautifully into its landscape – it’s built from local stone, including the red-grey granite that gives the vinho verde white wines their signature minerality and freshness.

The complex is configured into several blocks that are discreetly dotted around the Quinta da Lixa wine estate. The vineyards cover 22 hectares, so it’s both private and spacious, with walks on your doorstep.

The well-appointed guest rooms are generously sized, too. Ours had ample wardrobe space and a huge bathroom, with an overhead shower and a separate bathing zone overlooking the vines. There was also a large-screen TV – but with views like this, you don’t switch it on.

The extra-large beds have high-quality linen, and the overall decor is neutral and calming, with floaty curtains for privacy when you’re not taking in the views. Step outside your patio door and you’re in the vineyard. Rooms are a stroll away from the central reception-dining area, outdoor pool and spa block – or you can hitch a ride on a golf-style buggy.

What did you eat and drink?

You start the day with a breakfast of fresh fruit, pastries and cereals, along with more substantial cooked options. Later, you can relax with a cocktail at the bar – with its balcony overlooking the vineyards – before dinner.

The restaurant offers a four-course tasting menu by Portuguese chef Carlos Silva. He’s an accomplished cook who uses top-quality Portuguese ingredients – think fish, seafood and locally grown produce – to create imaginative, thoughtfully seasoned dishes. There are also nightly three-course menus, with vegetarian options available.

What is there to do?

The three-night Secrets of Vinho Verde: A Monverde Experience itinerary includes a ‘Wine Blending and Sensory Experience’ and ‘Beyond the Cellar Doors’ tour and tastings at the Quinta da Lixa winery.

On the relaxation side, you can book a massage or facial at the spa, and chill by the outdoor pool. The historic town of Amarante is a 20-minute car ride away, where you’ll find several good riverside restaurants, cake shops and cafés.

What do I need to pack?

Walking shoes, swimming and gym gear, and smart-casual dress for dinner in the restaurant.

Lasting memory?

Sipping a glass of Portuguese fizz on arrival, while taking in views of the vines in the afternoon sun.

Sainsbury’s magazine insider tip

Combine this trip with a three-day stay in Porto to visit the port houses along the Vila Nova de Gaia, plus local beaches.