Pipadouro, a Portuguese river tourism company in the Douro, won the international audience award at the Best of Wine Tourism Awards, a competition promoted by the Great Wine Capitals Global Network, standing out worldwide in Innovative Experiences in Wine Tourism, reads a press release sent to the newsroom.

The 2025 People's Choice Awards had around 5,000 votes from the public, distinguishing five projects from Spain, one from France and one from Portugal, in seven different categories, from among 83 winners of the regional awards from each of the 12 members of the global network of great vineyards.

"Receiving an award like this naturally makes us emotional, since our project is driven by passion: the passion for the concept, for the region, for the boats and for the proposals we present. Naturally, this distinction was received with great emotion and pride. It is truly gratifying to receive an award given by people, because it recognises the value of the experiences we propose and because we believe that it was our customers who voted for Pipadouro, thus validating our purpose and our mission", underlines Ana Clara Silva, director of operations of the company.

The operator has redefined the concept of river tourism on the Douro River and has achieved worldwide fame over the last 17 years with vintage luxury proposals, which comply with the high standards of demand of a market that privileges superior quality, comfort and exclusivity. The originality of its proposals was recognised at the Best of Wine Tourism Awards.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: Pipadouro;

After winning the regional award for Portugal, Pipadouro competed with projects from other members of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network: Pasqua Vigneti and Cantine (Verona/Italy), Vergelegen Wine Estate (Cape Town/South Africa), Natura Resorts (Bilbao/Spain), Francey Vins – Nuit des Capites (Lausanne/Switzerland), McLaren Vale Distelery/McLaren Vale (Adelaide/Australia), Chateau de Cérons (Bordeaux/France), Estación 83 at Bodega Trapiche (Mendoza/Argentina), Olabisi Winery (San Francisco and Napa Valley/United States of America), Smith & Sheth Heretaunga Wine Studio (Hawke's Bay/New Zealand), and Corazón Continto (Valparaíso-Casablanca Valley/Chile).

"We were created with the purpose of providing unforgettable experiences to those who visit us, combining the excellence and quality of our services with the beauty and authenticity of a unique region: the Douro. This international distinction brings recognition to the company, to wine tourism in the region and also to Portugal, fulfilling one of our great objectives, which is to promote the region internationally, as we know that the Douro has unique characteristics - combining quality and authenticity - that should be recognised worldwide", adds Ana Clara Silva.

Pipadouro, which operates from a private pier in Pinhão, presents two boats classified as Gentleman's Vintage Boats: in addition to the Friendship I, a 1957 superyacht that served the English Navy, it has at its disposal the Pipadouro II, a 30-foot long Vintage Boat, dating from 1965 and built in the shipyards of João Brites, in Lisbon, using drawings by the American Chris-Craft.

Sailing between the mouth of the Douro River, in Porto, and Barca D'Alva, a village that borders Spain, with the farms, wines and the most distinct local products on the menu, the company presents exclusive proposals of A Day in the Douro, Vintage Lunch, Bed & Breakfast, Late Afternoon, Charming Dinner, Vintage Breakfast, Wine with a View, Vintage Wild Travel and How Vintage Can You Go, in addition to the numerous possibilities of tailor-made programs, and regular departures between Pinhão and Tua.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: Pipadouro;