The Bairrada Leitão & Wine Tour is organized by regional tour operators based around Mealhada, a town on the old Lisbon-Porto road long associated with roast suckling pig. The four-hour itinerary begins at a traditional leitão roasting house near Rua Emídio Navarro, where participants sample a full leitão à Bairrada tasting menu -- crisp-skinned roast piglet served with regional sides such as fried potatoes and orange -- before continuing by transport to a nearby adega in the Bairrada demarcated wine region for a tasting of Bairrada sparkling wine (espumante) and still reds made from the Baga grape. The price includes the tasting menu, wine samples, and round-trip transport between Mealhada and the vineyard; personal purchases of bottled wine are extra. Groups are typically small, around 10 to 16 people, with commentary in Portuguese and English covering Bairrada's roasting and winemaking traditions. Because leitão is the centerpiece of the tasting menu, the tour is not well suited to vegetarians, though hosts can sometimes arrange a substitute dish with advance notice.
| Price | €75 per person (approx $87) |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 hours |
| Address | Rua Emídio Navarro, 3050-303 Mealhada, Portugal |
What is included
- Visit to a traditional leitão roasting house in Mealhada
- Full leitão à Bairrada tasting menu with regional sides
- Bairrada sparkling wine (espumante) tasting at a local adega
- Transport between Mealhada and a nearby Bairrada vineyard
Good to know
- Operator
- Bairrada regional tour operators
Weather through the year in Portugal
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Portugal.
Location
Rua Emídio Navarro, 3050-303 Mealhada, Portugal
40.3712, -8.4489 View on map
Highlights
- Full leitão à Bairrada tasting menu at a traditional Mealhada roasting house
- Bairrada espumante and Baga red wine tasting at a local adega
- Round-trip transport between Mealhada and the vineyard included
- Commentary on Bairrada's roast-pork and winemaking traditions
- Small-group format of roughly 10-16 participants
Tips for visiting
- Arrive hungry, as the leitão tasting menu is a substantial multi-course meal
- Notify hosts in advance if a vegetarian alternative is needed, since leitão is central to the menu
- Book ahead on weekends, when Mealhada's roasting houses draw day-trippers from Coimbra and Porto
- Pace wine tasting carefully across the tour, since several pours are served alongside a heavy meal
- Wear comfortable shoes for the short walk through the vineyard
Frequently asked questions
Is this tour suitable for vegetarians?
The tasting menu centers on leitão (roast suckling pig), so it is not well suited to vegetarians, though a substitute may be arranged with advance notice.
What wine is tasted on the tour?
Participants taste Bairrada espumante (sparkling wine) and reds made from the local Baga grape at a regional adega.
Is transport included?
Yes, round-trip transport between Mealhada and the nearby vineyard is included in the tour price.
How long is the tour?
The tour runs approximately four hours, including the tasting menu and vineyard visit.