On the arrival, walk through the town square and hear the backstory behind this former royal retreat. Mafra is a city and a municipality in the district of Lisbon, on the west coast of Portugal and in the “saloia” (rustic) area, which used to supply the capital with garden produce.

Famous for its imposing Palace-Convent, the largest edifice in Portugal, also inspired Portuguese Nobel Prize laureate José Saramago to write his novel “Memorial do Convento” (Baltasar and Blimunda). Other points of interest around are the Tapada Nacional de Mafra (also part of the UNESCO site), an enclosed wildlife and game reserve, and Ericeira’s World Surf Reserve, the first and only in Europe.

Sightsee over the Mafra National Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site that blends Baroque excess with royal devotion. The Mafra National Palace which also served as a Franciscan friary, build on the 18^th century.  This vast complex, largely built of Lioz stone, a type of limestone, is among the most sumptuous Baroque buildings in Portugal and at 40,000 m2, one of the largest royal palaces. The palace was built symmetrically from a central axis, occupied by the basilica, and continues lengthwise through the main façade until two major towers. The structures of the convent are located behind the main façade. The building also includes a major library, with over 30,000 rare books, it’s one of Europe’s largest collections.

The facade is 220 meters long. The whole complex covers 37,790 m2 with about 1,200 rooms, more than 4,700 doors and windows, and 156 stairways.

First spot on the way to the winery is the storybook village of Aldeia da Mata Pequena, located in the green hills of the Saloia region, northwest of Lisbon, a peaceful rural village with around a dozen simple, rustic houses.

Carefully restored from near ruins, the village preserves an authentic way of life, close to nature and far from the rush of modern times. Full of charm and nostalgic details, it brings back memories of the past, evoking the warmth and simplicity of childhood.

After seeing the vineyards, where the grapevines of the rare Jampal variety growns, will arrive and park in the village of Cheleiros, once nearly forgotten but now revived through wine. The oldest royal charter (foral) in Portugal was granted to the small village of Cheleiros, whose name comes from the nearby stream and the fact that it once served as a place for storing grain.

Centuries later, this picturesque village, arranged like a nativity scene in the municipality of Mafra, stands out for its tourist appeal. Visitors can enjoy local food such as bread, wine, sausages and traditional sweets, and visit cultural heritage sites, showing that Cheleiros is not as small as it may seem.

Key historical sites include the Penedo de Lexim, an ancient volcanic chimney with prehistoric remains, and the medieval stone bridge, also known as the old bridge, which is a major landmark of the village’s architectural heritage.

The visit at ManzWine it’s in a guided tour of 120 minutes, visiting the museum and old wine press, the cellar learning about the harvesting, vinification, and ageing processes, ending by the old elementary school for the wine taste, getting to know their history and the influence of the terroir on the wines.

The tasting will be of 6 wines in a journey through three wine regions (Lisbon, Setúbal and Douro) where you will get to know the uniqueness of the Jampal grape variety, a rare and unique wine in the world, a rosé and 2 reds from Cheleiros, a red from Setúbal and a red from Douro, with an incredible selection of local snacks, creating an excellent harmony between gastronomic and wine experience.

Drive back to Lisbon meeting point to drop off at 7pm.