Encosta da Criveira

A vineyard facing the castle

The estate’s defining feature is its position on the slope opposite Penela. Vineyard rows descend into the valley while the castle, churches and white houses rise across the view, making the place easy to understand at a glance.

This is a working agricultural setting rather than a public urban viewpoint. The landscape is part of the estate experience, so arrange access instead of assuming the swing or vineyard can be visited without notice.

Choose your visit and price

The producer publishes two tasting formats with adult prices that reduce for larger groups. Both require at least two people and must be arranged before arrival.

These prices are published online; confirm the total, availability and payment terms when booking.

• Olive press and tasting: €25 pp for up to 5 adults; €20 pp for 6–10; €15 pp for 11–30; €12.50 pp for 31 or more.
• Vineyard, olive press and tasting: €30 pp for up to 5 adults; €25 pp for 6–10; €17.50 pp for 11–30; €15 pp for 31 or more.

What the tasting includes

The shorter experience explains the restored traditional olive press before moving into an Encosta da Criveira wine tasting with a selection of regional products. The producer lists Rabaçal cheese, charcuterie, honey, walnuts and olive oil among the typical accompaniments.

The extended version begins in the vineyard overlooking Penela Castle, then continues through the old press and finishes with the same style of wine-and-regional-product tasting.

This is a hosted experience rather than a walk-in restaurant service. Ask about the wines being poured, non-alcoholic choices, children’s participation and dietary or allergen requirements when you make the reservation.

Meal menus for groups

The estate also offers a hosted lunch or dinner inside the old olive press, with one of its wines and optional live music. This format must be requested at least 15 days ahead and the price is supplied by quotation.

The published menus do not specify children’s prices, adapted dishes, drink quantities or allergen substitutions. Discuss every requirement before accepting the quotation.

• Menu A — Sabores de um Lagar: Rabaçal cheese, charcuterie, seasoned olives and regional breads; Sopa da Panela; bacalhau lagarada with Sicó olive oil, punched potatoes, onion and greens; custard and pineapple with Serra da Lousã honey and cinnamon.
• Menu B — Sabores da nossa Serra: the same starters, soup and desserts, with chanfana de Sicó—goat slowly cooked with Terras de Sicó red wine in a clay pot and wood-fired oven—served with potato and greens.
• Menu C — Imagine, nós cozinhamos: a bespoke menu developed with the estate and priced to order.

Booking deadlines, hours and contact

For a weekday tasting, the producer accepts bookings up to the day before. Saturday and Sunday visits should be requested by 12:00 on the preceding Friday. Visit Penela lists venue hours as Monday to Saturday, 10:00–17:00, with Sunday closed; because the producer also publishes a Sunday booking cut-off, treat a Sunday visit as confirmed only when the estate accepts it.

Use info@encostadacriveira.com or call +351 239 569 421, +351 963 269 905 or +351 963 788 106. Confirm the start time, duration, language, accessibility, cancellation terms and whether vineyard access is included in your chosen format.

The swing and viewpoint

The timber swing is memorable because it places the visitor inside the vineyard while framing Penela Castle beyond it. It is best treated as one moment within an arranged estate visit, not as a standalone roadside attraction.

Children should remain supervised around the swing and agricultural areas. Respect any instructions about where visitors may walk, and keep clear of vines, equipment and working spaces.

Plan a responsible tasting

Choose a designated driver or arrange transport before a wine tasting. Ask whether a non-alcoholic option is available for children, non-drinkers or anyone driving, and mention dietary requirements when booking food.

Wear footwear suited to an agricultural property and check the weather. Vineyard ground can be uneven, dusty in summer and slippery after rain, while shade may be limited during the hottest part of the day.

Pair it with the town

The view becomes more meaningful after spending time in Penela itself. Visit the castle or historic centre first, then look back across the valley from the estate and recognise the towers and ridge you have just explored.

A practical route for two starts at Penela Castle, continues to a pre-booked tasting at Encosta da Criveira, returns to the historic centre for lunch and leaves the afternoon for the Roman Villa of Rabaçal.