Discover the Wineries of Algarve, Portugal
Portugal’s southernmost region is home to some of the world’s most stunning beaches and top-notch golf courses. However, amid the rolling hills and beautiful vistas, you’ll also find an abundance of celebrated wineries. The region’s temperate climate and constant sunshine create an ideal location for growing grapes, making it a world-class destination for any vinophile.
About Algarve’s Wine Regions
Located about 175 miles south of Lisbon and 345 miles south of Porto, the Algarve region is a favored destination for those looking to soak up the sunshine, sights, and, of course, great wines. The area is divided into four distinct DOCs (areas with protected designation of origin): Lagos, Portimão, Lagoa, and Tavira. Moreover, along the coast, you’ll find over 2,000 vineyards and 30 producers in the region. The warm weather, sunny days, and sea breeze that draw in tourists also favor grapevines, producing high yields of fruit as well as dynamic flavors.
Wine Varietals of the Algarve
While both white and red wines are produced in Algarve, the region is best known for its reds. Siria, arinto, and malvasia fina are the grape varietals most often used in whites, while negra mole, trincadeira, and castelão are the preferred grapes for Algarve’s reds. The beautiful weather keeps fruit on the vine longer, yielding ultra-ripe fruit with high sugar content that results in sweeter wines—one of the reasons Tawny port is a favored export.
New Players in Algarve’s Wine Scene
While wine production in the region dates back centuries, a number of new producers have recently emerged, bringing a host of exciting wines to try. For instance, Monte da Castalaja, best known for organic wines, harvested its first grapes in 2004.
Quinta Dos Santos, a winery and brewery in western Algarve, produced its first vintages in 2019—a red, white, and rosé. In 2006, Quinta Joao Clara created its first bottles of red, using syrah, touriga nacional, trincadeira, alicante bouschet, and negra mole grapes grown on their 14 hectares of vineyards. Additionally,Quinta Dos Vales, popular for winning “Best Wine of the Algarve” seven out of the last 11 years, began operations in 2007 and features an open-air art gallery among its vineyards.
The Growth of the Wine Industry
Algarve has seen a surge in new producers; however, the region began gaining momentum about 50 years ago, partly due to the government’s infrastructure expansion in the 1960s. This new foundation contributed to increased tourism and renewed interest in Algarve’s wine scene.
Cabrita Wines is a family-owned brand that originated from Quinta da Vinha and represents one of the earlier modern producers in the region, crafting its first bottles with traditional Algarve grapes in 1977. Over the following decades, they cultivated new grape varieties—including touriga nacional, trincadeira, aragonez, and castelão—and launched their new red and rosé in 2007.
Historic Wineries to Visit
Quinta De Matas-Mouros is another storied winery in the region. Although it has only been producing since 2000, the winery is built on the site of the 12th-century Convent of Nossa Senhora do Paraíso. While much of the complex was lost by the 19th century, the main structure still remains and has since been restored, making it a great attraction for both wine enthusiasts and history buffs.
Exploring the Algarve Wine Trail
To make exploring the region more manageable, there’s an Algarve wine trail that takes visitors to many of the area’s best spots. The trail runs parallel to the coast, mainly highlighting the newer wineries in the scene, stretching from Lagos to Albufeira.
In conclusion, while the picturesque coastline dotted with stunning beaches has long been the main draw for tourists heading south from Lisbon and Porto, the abundance of wineries continues to solidify Portugal’s southern coast as a premier tourist destination.
