Alentejo on the rise with harvest programs

With the start of the harvest in the Alentejo, there are also wine tourism programs that meet the expectations of visitors who want to delve into the ancient tradition of the region and discover the wine production process. From visits to fields and cellars, grape treading, wine tasting or gastronomic experiences, the Alentejo Wine Route has more than a dozen vintage programs tailored to all types of tourists.

Adega da Vidigueira, Cuba and Alvito – During the month of September, Adega Vidigueira promotes a six-hour program with the right to visit the vineyards of the Adega associates, a break for the “bucha” – the traditional mid-morning snack –, and, still, to know the winemaking process. The activity ends with a lunch paired with the members’ nectars, at Casa das Talhas, and participants can also enjoy the offer of a bottle of wine per person. Address: Bairro Industrial 7960-305 Vidigueira – Price: €55 p.p. – Website: www.adegavidigueira.pt

Adega José de Sousa – From August 20 to September 18, Adega José de Sousa offers a morning program of about two hours in which participants can participate in activities taking place at Adega Nova and Adega dos Potes. All those who want to know not only the nectars of the region, but also its gastronomy, can go for a lunch of typical Alentejo snacks, accompanied by José de Sousa wines. If you don’t want to stay for lunch, you can end the morning with a tasting of three wines of the brand accompanied by sausages, cheese, bread and regional olive oil. Address: R. de Mourão 1 7200, Reguengos de Monsaraz – Price: From €28 p.p. (without lunch) or €58 p.p. (with lunch) – Website: https://www.jmf.pt/index.php?id=8

Adega do Rocim – Daily until the 4th of September, visitors to the Adega do Rocim will have the opportunity to get to know the harvest process and end the experience with an Alentejo loofah made with local products. On the 17th of September, it is time to sing the harvest of Rocim, being able to join a celebration of the harvest rocked by the Alentejo cante. The day begins with a visit to the vineyard to learn about the harvesting process, followed by a visit to the winery and a typical Alentejo lunch paired with wines from the Herdade do Rocim and, finally, it is time for participants to make their own batch. of wine with some vintages from previous years, living a day in the “skin” of the winemaker. Address: Estrada Nacional 387, 7940-909 Cuba – Price: Program with loofah – €35 p.p.; Program with Alentejo singing – €80 p.p. – Website: https://rocim.pt/

Casa Relvas – Between the 20th of August and the 20th of September, Casa Relvas opens its doors to welcome all those interested in learning about the production process of its wines. The proposal invites you to a five-hour program, which includes a walk through the vineyard, identification of grape varieties and sensory analysis of berries, seeds and stalks, manual harvesting, foot treading and must tasting. If you want to let it go, you can still go for a lunch accompanied by a tasting of wines from the Herdade. Address: S. Miguel de Machede, 7005-752 Évora – Price: €50 p.p. (without lunch) or €80 p.p. (with lunch) – Website: https://casarelvas.pt/

Herdade do Sobroso – Herdade do Sobroso will give visitors the opportunity to get to work and participate in the harvesting process. Afterwards, they can count on a visit to the winery, where they will be entitled to a tasting commented by the estate’s winemaker and a tasting of traditional Alentejo cheeses. The program closes with a lunch consisting of five starters, main course, convent sweets, laminated fruit, tea, coffee and Herdade do Sobroso cakes and wines. Address: Herdade do Sobroso, 7960-909 Vidigueira – Price: €85 p.p. or €195 p.p. (with accommodation at Herdade do Sobroso Boutique Hotel) – Website: www.herdadedosobroso.pt

João Portugal Ramos – Starting with a visit to the city’s viewpoint, at this producer in Estremoz, the “enocurious” will have the opportunity to harvest and feel the atmosphere that is lived in the vineyards. This is followed by the foot treading of the grapes in marble presses, followed by a visit to the winery and cellars. Finally, enjoy a vintage lunch. Address: Adega Vila Santa, Estrada Nacional 4, 7100-149 Estremoz – Price: €75 p.p. – Website: https://www.jportugalramos.com/ –

Malhadinha Nova – Herdade da Malhadinha Nova presents a special harvest program that can last two, three or five nights and allows participants to follow the entire process of creating Malhadinha wines. The proposals for these days in Malhadinha range from themed dinners, visits to the property in vintage off-road terrain, manual harvesting of the grapes, at dawn, breakfast in the vineyard, wine therapy massage, grape treading, cooking workshop, preparation of a batch of wine, hot air balloon experience, must tasting, a special wine therapy bath, among many other initiatives that promise to make these days a unique experience. Address: Herdade da Malhadinha Nova, 7800-601 Albernoa – Price: For the 5-night experience, between €2,100 and €3,100 p.p.; 3 nights, between €1,300 and €1,900 p.p.; and 2 nights, between €780 and €1,180 p.p.. The indicated values ​​include accommodation. – Website: https://www.malhadinhanova.pt/pt/

Quinta da Fonte Souto – Between the 5th and 25th of September, you can enjoy a guided tour of Quinta da Fonte do Souto, in Portalegre, and enjoy a tour of its vineyard, the tasting of three different wines and participation in the vintage activities. For those who want to stay, they can also enjoy a picnic at the Quinta. Address: Quinta da Fonte Souto, Estrada de Alegrete, Reguengo and São Julião, 7300-404 – Price: €15 p.p. (no picnic) and €35 ​​p.p. (with picnic) – Website: https://www.fontesouto.com/

Torre de Palma – Respecting the Roman roots in Torre de Palma, wine is celebrated in “Lusitania”, as in the Roman period. The “vinalia rustica” marks the beginning of the harvest in mid-August, as well as the beginning of the harvest program. In October, the program ends, celebrating the “meditrinalia”, the date on which the must is consecrated. During the weeks during which the harvest takes place, participants will be able to spend a day in the vineyard, participate in the harvest, and in the cellar they will be able to learn more about the vineyards and varieties, choose the best grapes and taste the wines. If they wish, participants can also have lunch or dinner at Restaurante Palma. Finally, they can count on the offer of a bottle of Torre de Palma Tinto BASILII wine as a souvenir of the harvest Address: Herdade de Torre de Palma, 7450-250 – Price: €84 p.p. – Website: https://www.torredepalma.com/