Technical visit to Casa Lata Agroturismo

The 6th edition of the Advanced Programme in Rural Tourism begins its cycle of technical visits at Casa Lata Agroturismo

On 8 November, the practical strand of the 6th edition of the Advanced Programme in Rural Tourism began with a visit to Casa Lata Agroturismo, in Amares, at the heart of the Vinhos Verdes region.

This first experience marked the start of the cycle of technical visits, giving students direct contact with a benchmark business where tradition and modernity come together to promote rural tourism that is authentic, sustainable and deeply rooted in the Minho.

A welcome with a view over the Minho

The visit began with a reception at the door of the accommodation, where participants were warmly received by Margarida Costa, one of those responsible for this family project. After the welcome, the group made its way to a panoramic terrace offering a sweeping view over the two accommodation units, the pool area and the vineyards that frame the property.

In this first moment, Margarida introduced the background to Casa Lata, sharing the history of the estate and the process of restoring the traditional farmhouse that gave rise to the agrotourism business it is today.

From Casa do Garrafas to the modern winery

The group then went down to the pool area and visited Casa do Garrafas, a fully equipped rustic accommodation unit that combines contemporary comfort with rural charm.

Casa do Garrafas

The students then moved on to the winery, where they had the chance to learn about the winemaking process and see the space where the wines age in tanks, as well as the machines used for bottling and labelling.

Filling machine

Labelling area

During this part of the visit, Margarida shared details of the complementary activities that enrich the guest experience, such as guided tours and wine tastings, highlighting the role of wine tourism as a distinctive feature of Casa Lata.

Family management and sustainability

Over the course of the visit, topics covered included booking management, strategies for dealing with the low season, and the sustainability practices that make it possible to maintain the identity and authenticity of the place. The students took a particular interest in this, showing curiosity about how Casa Lata manages to balance heritage preservation with tourism innovation and the economic viability of the business.

The atmosphere was relaxed and open to dialogue throughout, allowing a spontaneous and enriching exchange of ideas between the participants and their host.

Wine tasting and shared experiences

The visit ended at the main house, where students saw the different types of rooms and learned about the estate's accommodation offering.

Next came one of the most eagerly awaited moments of the day: a wine tasting led by Margarida herself and by her father, José Carlos Costa, who joined the group along with his wife.

During the tasting of three wines – Loureiro, Rosé and Branco – accompanied by a cheese board and cake, José shared his insight into wine production and how wine tourism has become an essential part of Casa Lata's identity. This moment of conviviality and learning closed the visit in an atmosphere of genuine sharing and family hospitality.

Rosé Escolha wine

Loureiro Grande Escolha wine

A visit that inspires and teaches

This first technical visit was an important milestone at the start of the 6th edition of the Advanced Programme in Rural Tourism, giving participants a practical view of the management, sustainability and authenticity that define the success of a rural business. Casa Lata Agroturismo proved to be an inspiring example of how it is possible to bring together tradition and modernity, keeping the essence of the Minho alive and adding value to local products.

Students and teaching staff of the Advanced Programme in Rural Tourism with Margarida Costa and José Costa

AgroB expresses its sincere thanks to Casa Lata Agroturismo, and in particular to Margarida Costa, José Carlos Costa and his wife, for their warm welcome and generous sharing of knowledge. The visit to Casa Lata symbolically marked the start of another cycle of practical learning, reinforcing the programme's commitment to training professionals capable of promoting rural tourism that is authentic, sustainable and of high quality.