Port Tastings in Gaia, Portugal

It varies depending on the Port lodge. Some of them require reservations especially in the summer. Some are simply walk in. If there is a larger one you really want to visit, you might want to make a reservation at that one.

Take note of port lodges tasting room opening and closing times as well as when they are closed for lunch.

Calem has a patio set up but after 6 pm you cannot order tastings. You can order a full glass of port off the menu until 7 pm. Kopke closes for lunch for 2 hours, I think 12-2 then closes at 6 for the night. Burmeister had a line waiting for them to open after lunch at 2 pm. Most of the lodges closed at 6 pm.

In May 2019 we went to Graham's and Sandeman's. We had reservations at both. People without reservations at Sandeman's were turned away. We were late for Graham's so I don't know if walk ins were accommodated.

We went to Cockburn's July of this year. Didn't have reservations but were very fortunate they were starting a tour in English in just a few minutes after our arrival so we were able to join that. There were a total of eight of us, plus the guide. If you want a guided tour in English, you will want to check the schedule for your selected places.
BTW - we enjoyed our tour so much, we stayed/paid for their "picnic" lunch in a very nice courtyard. It included two additional tastings. That, and the four tastings that were part of the tour, made for a very relaxed afternoon.... :)

Cockburns was our favorite too.

Thank you to all!!

Thanks to all for this great information, which has helped me map out an afternoon of wine tastings and picnic lunch at Cockburn's (reservation in progress.)

ETA: the Cockburn's reservation system has sent an email requesting payment via wire to their SWIFT/IBAN account. It all looks quite legit. Having just completed a wire to a tour guide from Kyiv, I know that I can do this from my Schwab account.

To those who visited them, did you pay with credit card on site? I'm visiting on a weekday in late October and may just take my chances.

Yes, we paid on site via credit card. We were there on a Sunday in late June.

Thank you, SueH, I think I'll take my chances and pay onsite if I'm lucky.

I enjoyed a lively tour and delicious wine tasting and picnic lunch today at Cockburn's. As described above, it made for a very relaxed afternoon!

My hotel called this morning and made a noon reservation for me. Of course this was in October. In high season, more advanced planning may be required.

Thanks for the recommendation!