Written by Bradt Travel Guides
The Alentejans love their wine, and if you’re taking a trip to the area you shouldn’t miss a chance to try it. Perhaps the best white grape in the region is Antão Vaz, with its good acidity and tropical fruit flavours. Borba, Évora, Redondo and Reguengos are most typical of the Alentejo reds, made from grapes grown fat on the hot, long summers. Check out our guide to touring the region and enjoying the best wine this Portuguese region has to offer.
The extensive vineyards in the region mean Alentejo produces some of Portugal’s finest wines © Inacio Pires, Shutterstock
Around Evora
L’and Vineyards Resort
Begin your tour around Évora with a stay at the L’and Vineyards Resort in Montemor-o-Novo, which has the only Michelin-starred restaurant in the Alentejo. Expert sommeliers match the perfect Alentejo wine with every dish on offer here, so it’s the perfect tasting experience for wine-lovers.
Parque Natural da Serra de São Mamede
Quinta Cabeças do Reguengo
Stay a night or two at Cabeças do Reguengo wine hotel, set on a hillside overlooking the rugged ridges of the Serra São Mamede. Come for the spectacular views, and stay for the fabulous organic wine which is made on the property.
Arronches
Adega Dom Borba
The Adega Dom Borba winery is open for wine and olive oil tasting. The winery was established in the 1950s as a co-operative of local producers whose families had been producing first-class wine in the region for centuries. Today the adega comprises some 300 wine growers who harvest grapes from over 2,000ha. Their wine has won numerous awards.
Herdade Reynolds winery
The Herdade Reynolds winery was founded in the 19th century and produces a number of celebrated reds © Alex Robinson
Robert Reynolds, the son of an English seaman, left Devon with his father in 1820 to make his fortune in Portugal, initially settling in Porto with the intention of producing fortified wines. But the market was already full and the Reynolds family headed south to the Alentejo, initially to harvest cork oaks, and then to produce wine. Reynolds wines are still produced by the family and are named after Robert, his children and grandchildren. Gloria Reynolds, made from the Nelson Martins grape, is their most celebrated red and is available only to Reynolds Club members, at select restaurants and to those who visit the winery.
Reguengos de Monsaraz
Enoforum Carmim
Enoforum Carmim is the largest wine producer in the Alentejo, producing some of Portugal’s finest reds and fortified wines. Olive oils are produced here too. Visitors can see the olive press and take a wine and olive oil tasting tour.
Herdade do Esporão
The Herdade do Esporão is a smaller producer making some very fine organic wines and an acclaimed Reserva. The staff can arrange a full half-day or day out, with birdwatching, cycling (including a picnic) or walking in combination with lunch and a tasting. A tasting costs €15, while lunch for two is €100, including a wine tasting tour and wine.
Beja
Herdade do Vau
Finish your tour with a night or so in the Herdade do Vau, one of the finest wine hotels in the Alentejo, near Beja. It has a superb set of grape varieties and vintages and offers excellent wine tours.
Want to find out more about the fabulous wine in Alentejo? Check out our comprehensive guide:
