Portugal is a world-class wine destination, and the Algarve has more than its fair share of wine-related destinations to sample.
Imagine lovely warm, velvety reds like Negra Mole, Castelão and Trincadeira. Tease yourself with the thought of lovely whites like Arinto, Malvasia Fina and Crato Branco, famously delicate and smooth. Picture a growing choice of exciting sparkling and late-harvest wines… then go and actually experience them!
When you’re in the Algarve region for an adult-focused holiday, here are some boozy treats you won’t want to miss. Prepare your taste buds… and let’s go.
Find your way here for delicious Algarve winery fun
High in the stunning mountains of Loule you’ll find Quinta da Tôr, dating back to 2011 and instrumental in reviving the fortunes of the little town of Tôr with a long-dreamed-of brand new vineyard and winehouse. The results of the owners’ heart warming enthusiasm are clear: high levels of quality thanks to excellent fruit cared for from day one to harvest time by truly passionate wine makers.
Here you can discover the magical ancient processes behind wine along with food that’s just as good: beautiful quality meat, bread and olive oil served with outstanding views outdoors. There’s a roman bridge to admire and the whole shebang is set within a gorgeous property that belonged to the same family from 1500 to 2011. There’s history seeping out of the very walls here, in this awe inspiring place.
The unique micro climate, chilly winters and hot summers mature the seven varieties of grapes grown here perfectly, delivering really good wines made with Touriga Nacional, Sirah, Carbernet Sauvignon, Aragonez, Siria, Arinto, and Chardonnay grapes.
Head for the warm heart of west Algarve to visit the Quinta dos Vales Wine Estate, a luxurious experience offering awesome views across the countryside. The gardens are full of interesting artworks, an added attraction, and the top quality wines made here are award-winners.
In its current form the 44 hectare Quinta dos Vales dates back to 2007 when retired banker and real estate developer Karl Heinz Stock decided to combine his passions for great wine and sculpture into one remarkable winery destination. The mission? To create the best wines on the Algarve. He clearly succeeded. These days his creations have an international reputation.
Dive into the intricacies of wine making if you like, or simply explore the sheer beauty of the grounds with a glass of something lovely, made with absolutely no compromise on quality and crafted with love. Events, wine tastings and accommodation are yours as this smashing place.
PAXA WINES at Quinta do Outeiro
Wine growing always fires up people’s passions, and Paxá Wines is no different, a place created by people with a shared passion for wine – Joaquim Lopes and his son Tiago. You’ll find their 30 acre winery at Quinta do Outeiro near Silves, a city with wine woven through its long and thrilling history.
A combination of clay andlimestone soil, the proximity of the sea, the sunshine and microclimate makes the produce special, loved for its unique characteristics. Every stage of wine production is meticulously carried out and they like to grow a broad range of grapes to create ‘wines with great potential’, loved locally, nationally and abroad.
As the men say, their wines are a reflection of their relationship with the world and nature. Every sip evokes this unique place and the people who love it so much.
Albufeira is your destination for exciting insights into the winemaking process at Ageda do Cantor, everything from the grape growing itself to the wine’s storage in cool, fragrant oak barrels. Home to thirty different wines, each as succulent as the last, you’ll find the magic at Guia, at the top of Quinta do Miradouro with spectacular views over the countryside to the ocean.
Your winemaker is Ruben Pinto and his philosophy of minimal intervention and a focus on quality has clearly borne fruit. The Vida and Onda Nova wine ranges made here use grapes from three local Quintas: do Moinho, do Miradouro and Vale do Sobreiro. The result is high quality tipples crafted by blending traditional and innovative winemaking techniques.
There are guided tours of the vineyards and winery, guided tastings and merchandise to buy along with the wine itself, all in a wonderfully chilled-out environment.
Falezia’s vineyards are at Lagos, close to the Atlantic, high on the cliff that gives its name to the property. It dates back to 2014 and like every winery on our list, the people who own it are driven by a fiery passion for great wines. They’ve blended the unique ‘terroir’ of the vineyard with experienced, skilled winemakers at a long-standing nearby adega to produce exciting boutique wines resonant of the sun, sea and Algarve countryside, and it’s just beautiful.
The well-drained soils and south facing aspect give the wines here a unique flavour, enhanced by 300 hot sunny days a year and lovely fresh sea breezes in the evenings. The traditional Portuguese style buildings complete an experience to remember.
Climb into the hills of Silves to visit the Quinta Do Frances Winery, nine hectares of vineyard run by a family that loves passing on their knowledge and enthusiasm. The Odelouca River Valley delivers stunning surroundings, perfect for enjoying the region’s wine-perfect climate.
The vines here grow in a variety of soils including clay, limestone, sandstone and schist, ideal for growing different types of high-quality grapes. The resulting wines tap right into the Algarve’s long history of winemaking through the ages, bringing the fine attention to detail and quality that the region’s wines are known for to the entire process. Their wines are, as you can imagine, sheer magic.
If you love the views just as much as the booze, try this vineyard. It offers some of the most idyllic vistas in the region, a gem of a place on the outskirts of Albufeira. It’s a family-run business and their wines are as good as the rest, a particular treat drunk outdoors while basking in the sunshine.
You can wander the vineyards and see where the grapes are nurtured, admire the idyllic landscapes, and learn all about their beloved and unique wine, Esquerdino.
Where will your Algarve winery experience begin?
The Roman invaders first planted vines in the Algarve, discovering the magic of the temperate climate and uniquely fertile terroir that makes it so good for wine-growing. Today’s wine estate owners are increasingly being recognised for award-winning tipples, driving a new wave of international wine tourism.
Local red, white and legendary black grapes thrive here, and every winery in the Algarve offers something slightly different. No wonder so many people actually base their holiday around winery experiences. You’ll find wine tours and wine days, wine experiences and fine winery dining. You can even stay at some of them in on-site accommodation but it’s very popular, you’ll have to book in advance.
Has that inspired you? Hopefully so. Now we’re off to sample some Algarve wines…
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