The Polytechnic University of Guarda will open a higher technical professional course in Wine Tourism in Vila Nova de Foz Côa, with the start scheduled for the 2026-2027 academic year. The course will be taught at the School Grouping Tenente-Coronel Adão Carrapatoso and results from a protocol signed on August 31st between the university, the municipality of Vila Nova de Foz Côa and the school grouping, at a ceremony held at the wine tourism unit Casas do Rio – Quinta do Vallado.
The responsibility for organizing the course, designing the curriculum matrix and managing the teaching staff will be handled by the School of Tourism and Hospitality of UPG, based in Seia. The training has the support of various wine tourism units in the Douro region, including Quinta de Vale Meão, Quinta de Ventozelo, Quinta da Terrincha, Quinta de Monte Xisto, Quinta do Pessegueiro, Quinta do Reguengo, Story House Hotel, Longroiva Hotel Rural, Quinta do Palato, Adega Cooperativa do Vale da Teja, Adega do Sável and units of the Symington group.
Rector Joaquim Brigas stated that the university is committed to contributing to the sustainable development of the region, training qualified professionals for the local business fabric. He also highlighted that the involvement of companies in the design of courses will ensure the professional placement of students and that the course represents an important opportunity for young people from Vila Nova de Foz Côa to continue their studies in higher education.
According to the mayor of the Municipal Council, Pedro Duarte, wine tourism constitutes a fundamental and structuring area for the development of the municipality, functioning as a high added value complement to agricultural activity. The mayor considered that the participation of prestigious wine estates from the Douro in the project constitutes an additional guarantee of the quality of the training to be provided.