Picture the Douro in early October. Vineyard terraces stacked like green stairs all the way down to the water. Stone walls the color of toasted bread.

Now picture the two of you in the middle of it. Sleeves pushed up. Purple to the ankles. Laughing in a lagar (the shallow granite tank where grapes are still crushed by foot) with a glass of Port someone handed you on the way in.

That's this trip. Three nights on Porto's riverfront. Four nights at Quinta da Pacheca, a nearly 300-year-old wine estate where the rooms are shaped like barrels. I plan every booking, tasting, transfer, and table. You just show up ready to make memories!

Why the Douro, Why Harvest

• One of the world's oldest demarcated wine regions. Mapped in 1756, and today a UNESCO World Heritage landscape.

• Harvest is the moment. The vindima (grape harvest) lasts only a few weeks in September and October. You'll pick, stomp and toast it.

• Port is only half the story. The valley's dry reds and whites (Douro DOC) are some of Portugal's most exciting bottles. You'll taste both, side by side.

• Slow by design. Two bases, no daily suitcase shuffle. Unhurried mornings. Afternoons with room for a nap, a swim or a massage.

Built for Two

• Your own room, every night. No roommates. One private suite per couple.

• A professional couples photo session. I'm a professional photographer, so you'll go home with golden-hour portraits in Porto and in the vineyards. Photos of the two of you together, not 400 shots of your partner's thumb.

• Wine is included. Every tasting, plus wine poured at every included dinner. Most group trips leave that off the bill.

• Small on purpose. Eight couples maximum. Long tables, real conversation, and plenty of time for just the two of you.

Where You'll Sleep

Porto · Pestana Vintage Porto (3 nights). A five-star hotel set inside a row of historic buildings on Praça da Ribeira, in Porto's UNESCO-listed old town. Step out the door, and the river is at your feet, the Dom Luís I bridge arcs overhead, and the port lodges glow on the far bank.

Douro Valley · Quinta da Pacheca (4 nights). Pacheca was one of the first Douro estates to bottle wine under its own label. Today it has 10 wine barrel suites set among the vines: oak walls, a private terrace, a walk-in shower, and a skylight right where the cork would be. Lie back. Look up. Count stars.

Only 10 barrels exist. That's exactly why this group stops at eight couples.

Your Host

I'm Phylicia, founder of The Backpacker Mom and Bougie Wine Tribe. I'm a WSET-trained wine educator. I've planned and hosted women's wine trips through France, and I have worked in the wine industry as a marketer and educator for 10 years, working alongside field hands and winemakers around the world.

Harvest is when a wine region shows you who it really is. I want you there for it.

Investment

• $10,500 per couple ($5,250 per person), two people sharing one room

• Early bird: $9,900 per couple for the first 3 couples to book

• $1,500 deposit per couple holds your spot [refundable for 30 days]

• Balance in 3 payments; final payment due 90 days before departure

FAQ

Do we need to know a lot about wine? No. If you can hold a glass, you're qualified. I'll teach as we go.

What if one of us doesn't drink? Easy. We will find something for you to enjoy

How active is it? Easy walking most days. Harvest day means steep vineyard terraces, so bring comfortable shoes you don't mind staining.

Are flights included? No. Fly into Porto (OPO). Land by 3 p.m. on Oct 1 and book your flight home for after 1 p.m. on Oct 9.

Is travel insurance required? Travel medical insurance is required. Trip cancellation coverage is strongly recommended.

Can we come early or stay longer? Yes. That is entirely up to you, and I encourage it! If you need assistance with any of your booking needs, I can assist you with hotels, flights, and activities to fill your time before the trip begins.

How big is a wine barrel suite? Cozy. Think romantic, not roomy. Each has a private bathroom, air conditioning and its own terrace.

Can we book with friends? Yes. More the merrier!