The summer event, which will once again take place at Alameda de Santo André, in Guarda, will take place from the 12th to the 14th of July and will have the Bairrada region as its core.

For the president of Guarda City Council, Sérgio Costa, this wine festival is a differentiating initiative, important for promoting the territory and tourism and also for boosting the local economy.

The mayor pointed out that although similar events are already held in other areas of the country, the Guarda Wine Fest has a unique scope.

The event, he said, also contributes to “affirming the capital of Guarda” and should be a source of pride whenever the city “is spoken well of”.

Sérgio Costa argued that Guarda, being the district capital and headquarters of the Beiras and Serra da Estrela Intermunicipal Community, has an increased responsibility in promoting initiatives of this dimension.

The Guarda Wine Fest, which is taking place for the third time, is organized by the Guarda Chamber and the Beira Interior Regional Wine Commission (CVRBI).

The programme includes wine tastings, 'showcookings', conversations led by experts, restaurant spaces, and musical moments. The event features shows by Guarda in Jazz and there will also be a Wine Party.

At the presentation, this morning, at the place where the festival will take place, the president of CVRBI, Rodolfo Queirós considered that the event, which is in its third edition, is consolidated.

“It is already a regional, national, and even cross-border reference, considering that many people are already coming from Spain this weekend to visit us”, he pointed out.

The director explained that the decision to invite the Bairrada region to the event “was a natural step”, especially because being a summer event, the sparkling wine that marks the wine production in that area “is a warm drink”.

In the same session, the president of the Douro and Porto Wine Institute, Gilberto Igrejas, declared it “a privilege to be associated” with the Guarda Wine Fest, considering it to be a good combination.

“It's a perfect partnership because we can be in this space enjoying three days of socialising and at the same time understanding what our economic agents do best in the region”, he maintained.

The president of the Dão Regional Wine Commission, António Mendes, highlighted the importance of wine-making for low-density territories and cooperation between the various entities.

“This cooperation gives us all more strength and more visibility. Cooperation between the various commissions is always very important”, reinforced the director.

Guarda Wine Fest opens its doors on July 12th at 6 pm and on the following two days at 5 pm. The event ends on the first two days at midnight and on the last day at 10 pm.