BANDEIRAS WINE FIELD GUIDE
Old Times: A Counter Tasting Through Portugal’s Ancient Vines in Bandeiras
A 2h30 counter tasting at the Azores Wine Company that pairs six fish-based dishes with four wines from ancient vineyards across Alentejo, Douro, Porto Santo and Pico.
Old Times: A Counter Tasting Through Portugal’s Ancient Vines in Bandeiras.
Set at the Azores Wine Company in Bandeiras, Old Times is a focused tasting that threads six dishes and four wines together into a short, exacting tasting — a guided journey through António Maçanita’s old‑vine selections from Alentejo, Douro, Porto Santo and Pico.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Six counter-served dishes, curated to match old‑vine wines
A six‑course tasting menu is served at the balcão (counter), each course paired with a wine chosen to represent the character of ancient vineyards across Portugal.
Four regions, one lineage: old vines on display
The tasting draws on wines from Alentejo, Douro, Porto Santo and Pico — bottles from very old vineyards chosen to show site and age in António Maçanita’s selection.
A tasting framed by António Maçanita’s old‑vine terroirs
The experience presents a curated path through Maçanita’s vineyards — from the Chão dos Eremitas in Alentejo to the Criação Velha of Pico — linking food and wine in a compact session.
What the day feels like
What the tasting feels like
In roughly two and a half hours at the Azores Wine Company’s counter, the tasting walks you through six fish‑based dishes while four distinct wines — each from very old vineyards — are presented and discussed, delivering a concentrated, regional tour of Portuguese old‑vine expression.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this tasting suits — and who should reconsider.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The tasting runs for approximately 2h30.
Meet at the Azores Wine Company in Bandeiras.
The menu is fish‑based and not adaptable for vegans; vegetarian guests can be offered the counter “Atitude” menu. Please notify allergies or restrictions at least 48 hours before your booking to allow the operator to assess alternatives.
A six‑course tasting menu served at the counter with four wines drawn from very old vineyards across Alentejo, Douro, Porto Santo and Pico.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Old Times tasting?
The experience lasts approximately 2h30.
Where do we meet for the tasting?
The meeting point is the Azores Wine Company in Bandeiras.
Is the menu suitable for vegetarians or vegans?
The standard six‑dish menu is fish‑based and cannot be adapted for vegetarians who avoid both meat and fish; a vegetarian counter menu called “Atitude” can be offered. The operator cannot accommodate vegans in any restaurant experience.
Can you accommodate allergies or other dietary restrictions?
Possibly — you must inform the operator of allergies and restrictions at least 48 hours before the experience so they can advise on any limitations; late notification at booking may prevent an alternative solution at the time of the tasting.
Which wine regions are included in the tasting?
Wines come from four Portuguese regions: Alentejo, Douro, Porto Santo and Pico, all sourced from very old vineyards selected by António Maçanita.
How many dishes and wines are part of the tasting?
The tasting features six dishes paired with four wines.