Picture this: you’re with your close friends in the Algarve countryside with vineyards all around you, the cooling North-West Atlantic winds are energizing you and filling you with the potential of what’s to come.
You begin a short leisurely walk that lures you into a winery. It’s filled with the tantalizing and dizzying smells of young wine and fermentation. Instantly, you’re transported to a quiet and unique place where wine is made and aged, the refreshing temperature-regulated winery and barrel-aging room cooling you down … ahhhh.
Then, after listening to how the nectar was made, with no rush or pressure, you are led to a picnic table already set up beautifully with everything you need. Then, you spend the rest of your time casually sipping the new wines being poured for you alongside a regional cheese and charcuterie board. Have I convinced you yet?
One of my favorite things to do here in Portugal and abroad is going for a wine tasting and tour. Perhaps you’ve heard it all before and have been on many wine tours in your lifetime, or maybe you’re new at this and you’ve only been to one or two wine experiences. Either way, you can’t beat the diverse and captivating wines being offered from our local wineries here in the Algarve.
Beat the heat and the crowds and make a reservation at one of our many local wineries for a gourmet lunch, boat excursion, sunset party, picnic in the vines or simple guided tour and tasting!
The Algarve Wine Region is the second smallest wine region in Portugal and has four Denomination of Origin Regions, or DOCs: Lagos, Portimão, Lagoa and Tavira. There are currently 1,427 hectares of vineyards planted, with more being planted every year, and approximately 60 wineries with newcomers entering the scene at a rapid rate.
I’ve listed below a few of my favorite wine experiences in the Algarve. The wine-governing body here in the Algarve is the Comissão Vitivinícola do Algarve (CVA). You can sign up to be on their email subscription list and hear about new wine-centric events and happenings near you, as well as see the list of the local wineries across the Algarve – visit www.vinhosdoalgarve.pt
My favorite Algarve wine experiences
Adega do Convento do Paraíso
A hidden gem! I recently had a tasting here with my friend, Adrienne Salerno of Terra Doce Portugal. She has hosted a few incredible events here and, luckily, I got to come to one with her. Laura, the Wine Tourism Manager and host, is a delight! She’s helpful, insightful and happy to share all the information she has about the place, its history and, more importantly, their delicious wine.
Take Away: Tightly nestled alongside the Arade river directly across from Silves, Quinta de Mata Mouros is a centuries-old estate with a 12th century monastery built within its walls! Also, tours can include a ride through the vineyards in a vintage Land Rover!
Quinta de Mata-Mouros, 8300-999 Silves
282 444 453 | geral@conventodoparaiso.com
www.conventodoparaiso.com
Cabrita Wines
I’ve loved their wines from the time we arrived five years ago. And now my friend Duarte is the Wine Tourism Manager. I can say from personal experience that his wealth of knowledge runs deep. Tours with Duarte are enriching and a pure treat to be the recipient of during the wine experience, and I’ve been on a few!
Take Away: A Portuguese family-run-and-owned winery. The tour is incredibly informative and their range of wines exciting!
Quinta da Vinha, Sítio da Vala, 8300-054 Silves
911 113 176 | reservas@cabritawines.com
cabritawines.com
Monte da Casteleja
I always recommend Casteleja to clients and friends alike. From the first time we came to Lagos seven years ago and booked a tour here, to meeting the owner Guillaume and forming a friendship, this authentic family-owned winery has been a staple in our life. The breathtaking estate has a unique history. It is undeniably where the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans and the Moors settled during different eras.
Here, you’ll actually find old relics and pieces from these ancient civilizations that Guillaume collected when he planted the vineyards. Entirely unique, Monte da Casteleja has natural, low intervention, clean, complex and beautifully made wines unlike any other wines you’ll try here in the Algarve.
Take Away: Certified organic. All wines are truly made the “old-fashioned” way and, during harvest, all the wines get foot trod!
Quinta da Casteleja, CxP 3002-I, Estrada do Paúl – Sargaçal, 8600-317 Lagos
282 798 408 | info@montedacasteleja.com
Quinta do Francês
Quinta do Francês is a family estate with nine hectares of vineyard, nested in the hills beyond Silves, in the Odelouca River Valley.
Take Away: The guided tour is phenomenal, especially if you’re a wine geek like me and love hearing all the details, from beginning to end, on how they make their wines! The tour also ends with you sipping your wine staring out over the picturesque amphitheater of vines in front of you!
Sítio da Dobra, CxP862H, Odelouca, 8300-037 Silves
282 106 303 | quintadofrances@gmail.com
Quinta dos Santos
I haven’t had the opportunity to participate in one of their harvest experiences or tastings yet! But I have thoroughly enjoyed myself on their terrace and left feeling full, happy and properly satiated.
Take Away: Wonderfully bougie, with stunning views and delicious, beautifully curated plates. Their wines are as swanky and satisfying as the rest of the experience.
R. do Pestana Golf Resort 1, 8400-049 Estômbar
282 342 264 | reservations@quintadossantos.com
quintadossantos.com
Morgado do Quintão
I loved the Farmer’s Table Experience! It’s a three-course traditional Portuguese lunch served additionally with small regional tapas. All offered alongside three of their current wine releases and served underneath the canopy of the ancient olive tree.
Take Away: A 2000-year-old olive tree! Their vines also happen to be mostly all old vine vineyards planted in “Pé Franco” (on their own roots)!
Morgado do Quintão, 8400 Lagoa
965 202 529 | info@morgadodoquintao.pt
morgadodoquintao.pt
Quinta dos Capinhas
A small family vineyard with a cellar full of delicious back vintages from their inception as well as their exciting new wines released this year. You can taste through the history of the estate and check out all the new and exciting things happening while you’re there.
Take Away: My friend Sofia Saraiva is now their General Manager and is bringing this incredible estate, their story and their wines to the forefront of the wine scene here in the Algarve. Visit their website to see what new, cool and interesting wine tastings and curated wine dinners you can enquire about.
Quinta dos Capinhas, Estrada da Carrasqueira, 8400-458 Porches, Lagoa
926 737 798 | info@quintadoscapinhas.com
quintadoscapinhas.com
Paxá Wines
It’s possible you’ve caught a glimpse of the estate from the A22. It’s pretty easy to spot and 100% worth it to pull off the road and go. My partner and I have been here a few times. The first time we went, I called ahead and when I spoke to the wine tourism manager at the time, Nídia, she asked which wine flight I wanted to try. I replied, “All of them!”
Paxá Wines began with a shared passion between Joaquim Lopes and his son Tiago. Located just southeast of Silves with close proximity to the Atlantic, the quinta has over 30 acres of vineyards, planted in clay-limestone soil.
Take Away: Their Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc are delicious! They also make a strong argument for planting international varietals because their wines reflect how well foreign castas take to the Algarvian terroir.
Quinta do Outeiro, 8300-054 Silves
967 304 650 | wineshop@paxawines.pt
Arvad
An absolutely stunning estate with views that seem to carry you away while you enjoy your wine on their terrace. All your senses completely catered to.
A young estate that began with its first plantings in 2016. It sits perfectly along the side of Arade river, overlooking Silves and the land beyond.
Take Away: Amazing wine team and staff! Crazy good views and delicious wines. I guarantee you’ll end up taking away a bottle or two. They also offer unique experiences, like catching the sunset while sipping wine and grooving out to music or a romantic legit picnic with wine in the middle of the vineyards.
Abicada, 8400-167 Estômbar
913 326 001 | geral@arvad.pt
arvad.pt
A few more local wineries not to be missed:
João Clara, Alcantarilha. Family-owned and run by the incredible matriarch and women of the family. The winemaking team is also female! Wines are well made and age worthy.
Quinta dos Sentidos, Silves. A family project with many different labels to choose from, keeping everyone satisfied. They have a charismatic and talented winemaker André and the best wine tour and tasting guide Alice!
Atlas Wines, Aljezur. An amazing project that is single-handedly resurrecting the old vineyards of Aljezur and the region, as well producing Atlantic coast-influenced, clean and delicious natural wines.
