Sines, Setubal, Portugal, June 15, 2026 (Lusa) - The sea, wine and tourism come together once again in Sines, on Portugal's Alentejo coast, this Friday and Saturday for the second edition of the "Subaquatic Wine Tourism Experience", which aims to establish the region as an innovative tourist destination.
The event is organised by the Alentejo and Ribatejo regional tourism board and Sines municipal council, in the region of Setúbal, with the concept and production handled by the Portuguese Association of Wine Tourism (APENO).
The initiative will bring together tourism professionals, wine producers, researchers, journalists and enthusiasts from the sector to explore one of the most innovative trends in the wine world: ageing in an underwater environment.
According to APENO, in a statement, the two-day programme combines practical experiences, guided tastings, conferences and gastronomic events, and aims to provide “a comprehensive overview of the potential of underwater ageing as a unique selling point for wine tourism”.
For this edition of the "Subaquatic Wine Tourism Experience", the organisers have invited producers and experts from Portugal, Spain and Italy with a view to “sharing experiences and best practices between different regions involved in underwater wines”.
For the president of the Alentejo and Ribatejo regional tourism authority, José Santos, quoted in the press release, this event “demonstrates the Alentejo coast’s ability to innovate and create unique tourist experiences based on its natural resources”.
“The sea and wine come together here in an authentic way, contributing to the enhancement and strengthening of the region’s appeal,” he emphasised.
On the first day, participants will have the opportunity to take part in a diving experience, between 11.00 am and 1.00 pm, with Joaquim Parrinha and the Adega do Mar team, including a visit to the submerged structures and the retrieval of wines aged in the sea.
On the same day, the programme includes diving sessions open to the public from 3.00 pm, guided tastings of underwater wines between 4.30 and 6.30 pm, and a signature dinner with wine pairings, both coordinated by sommelier Rodolfo Tristão.
On Saturday at 10.00 am, the international conference “Submerged Wines: Trends and International Dialogue” will take place, featuring Pedro Martinez of Bodegas Verónica, Pierluigi Lugano of Bisson Società Agricola, and Ramiro Carbajo of Bodegueros Quinta Esencia.
An international guided tasting of the wines presented by the participants is also scheduled.
For Maria João de Almeida, president of APENO, quoted in the press release, the event is an “example of the innovative capacity of Portuguese wine tourism and of how Portugal can position itself at the forefront of new wine-related experiences”.
For his part, the Mayor of Sines, Álvaro Beijinha, emphasised that the second edition of this event “confirms Sines as a region of innovation and connection to the sea”.
For the mayor, the initiative “showcases natural resources, promotes the destination and reinforces the district’s position as a setting for distinctive experiences that bring together wine, tourism and knowledge”.
HYN/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
