Must-visit Algarve vineyards
The Algarve is famed for its beaches and climate, but did you know it’s also home to a growing and celebrated wine scene? Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or just love the experience of learning about where wine comes from and how it is made, then these top 5 wine vineyards in the Algarve will make for a fantastic day out.
The Algarve wine region is one of the most beautiful areas in Europe, and it’s home to some delicious wines. If you’re thinking about heading out to see some Algarve vineyards, then we definitely recommend visiting some of the ones on this list.
The history of winemaking in the Algarve
Winemaking in the Algarve dates back over 2,000 years, with roots stretching to Roman times when viticulture was a key part of daily life and trade. The region’s fertile soils and sunny climate made it ideal for growing vines, and over the centuries, wine production became embedded in local tradition.
With a focus on quality over quantity, many local producers have embraced modern techniques alongside traditional methods, leading to a growing reputation for distinctive, high-quality wines.
When is the best time to visit Algarve vineyards?
This depends somewhat on your personal preference and how you’d like to experience your vineyard exploration. Some of the most popular times of the year include:
- May to October (Late spring/Early autumn): This is because the weather is often warm and sunny, making it great for strolling through the vineyards and taking in the countryside views.
- September: This is a very popular time of the year because it’s grape harvest season.
Common grape varieties found at Algarve vineyards
The Algarve wine region, with its abundant sunshine, mild winters and cooling Atlantic breezes, creates an ideal microclimate for viticulture. The rich soils and varied landscape (coastal plains to inland hills) of the Algarve enhance the region’s ability to produce complex, characterful wines. Below are some of the most commonly found grape varieties in the region:
Touriga Nacional
Often referred to as the crown jewel of Portuguese red grapes, Touriga Nacional flourishes in the Algarve’s warm climate. It produces wines with deep colour, firm tannins, and intense aromas of dark fruit and violet. The long, sun-drenched days in the region help fully ripen the grapes, contributing to the richness and structure of the wines.
Aragonez (Tempranillo)
Known as Aragonez in Portugal (and Tempranillo in Spain), this versatile red variety performs beautifully in the Algarve’s dry heat. It yields smooth, fruit-forward wines with notes of red berries, tobacco, and spice. The consistent sunshine allows for an even ripening process, enhancing both flavour and balance.
Syrah
An international favourite, Syrah has adapted well to the Algarve’s conditions, and we can see it’s grown by many of the vineyards mentioned above. The grape develops rich, concentrated flavours of blackberries, pepper and dark chocolate. When grown inland, the temperature swings add freshness and complexity to the wines.
Alicante Bouschet
This unique teinturier grape produces deeply coloured, full-bodied wines with great ageing potential. In the Algarve, Alicante Bouschet benefits from the extended growing season, which allows for a slow ripening process, giving bold, structured wines with earthy undertones.
Castelão
One of the oldest and most traditional Portuguese grapes, Castelão thrives in sandy soils and warm conditions, making the Algarve a natural home. It creates medium-bodied reds with vibrant acidity, red fruit flavours, and a touch of rustic charm. Castelo is sometimes used in blends to add freshness and structure.
Arinto
As one of Portugal’s finest white grape varieties, Arinto is prized for its naturally high acidity and citrus profile. In the Algarve’s sunlit vineyards, Arinto retains its crispness, making it ideal for producing lively, refreshing white wines that offer excellent balance.
Verdelho
This white variety performs well in the Algarve thanks to its ability to handle heat while retaining aromatic intensity. Wines made from Verdelho are often floral and tropical, with a juicy, rounded mouthfeel that makes them particularly appealing in the region’s warm climate.
Alvarinho
Originally from the north of Portugal, Alvarinho has been making a name for itself in the Algarve. Here, it produces expressive whites with stone fruit aromas, reflective of the Atlantic’s influence and the region’s mineral-rich soils.
Algarve Vineyards
Quinta dos Vales Wine Estate
Located in the heart of the Western Algarve, the Quinta dos Vales Wine Estate offers a luxurious experience when you visit their vineyards. With stunning views across the Algarve countryside and amazing artwork intermittently placed in their gorgeous gardens, there’s nothing better on a warm Algarvian day. Not to forget their top-quality, award-winning wines available to taste and buy!
Quinta dos Vales cultivates a broad spectrum of native and international grape varieties such as:
- Touriga Nacional
- Touriga Franca
- Aragonês
- Verdelho
- Alvarinho
- Syrah
- Viognier
- Cabernet Sauvignon
Location: Sítio dos Vales, CP 112, 8400-031 Estômbar, Lagoa, Portugal.
Opening hours: 10:30 – 17:30 / Every day.
Adega do Cantor
This vineyard is located in Albufeira, and provides great insight into the winemaking process, including how the grapes are grown and how the wine is stored in barrels, which gives it its unique oaky flavour. Its vineyards are planted with:
- Viognier
- Syrah
- Aragonês
- Alicante Bouschet
Look out for some of its most popular wines, like their “Vida Nova” and “Onda Nova” labels.
Location: Quinta do Miradouro, Caminho dos Alámos, 8200-410 Albufeira, Portugal.
Opening hours: 10:00 – 13:00 & 14:00 – 17:00 / Monday to Friday
Quinta Do Frances Winery
Nestled in the hills of Silves, you’ll find the Quinta Do Frances Winery. With a huge 9 hectares of vineyard, this family estate is incredible for showing visitors the many factors and variables that can affect wine production.
With Trincadeira, Aragonês, Touriga Nacional, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah varieties planted here in 2002, as well as white Sauvignon blanc in 2007, this family estate has been making wine for decades.
Location: Adega Quinta do Francês, Síto da Dobra, Cx P H, Odelouca 8300-037 Silves, Algarve, Portugal.
Opening hours: 10:00 – 13:00 & 14:00 – 17:30 / Monday to Saturday
Quinta da Tôr
In the mountains of Loule lies Quinta da Tôr. They offer a spectacular way to learn about their processes and history, and that’s by tasting wines with a side of meats, bread and olive oil, whilst gazing over the vineyards. The estate’s guided tours and tasting have various packages for you to choose from, depending on which and how many wines you’d like to try.
Quinta da Tôr produces wines using traditional Portuguese grapes such as Touriga Nacional, Aragonez, and Castelão, as well as Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Their wines are known for their bold, concentrated flavours and elegant finish.
Location: Estrada EM525, Aldeia da Tôr, Morgado da Tôr, 8100-397 Loulé, Portugal.
Opening hours: 10:00 – 19:00 / Every day
Quinta Do Canhoto
A vineyard offering some of the most idyllic views is Quinta Do Canhoto, a true gem in the Algarve wine region. Located on the outskirts of Albufeira, it’s a fantastic visit if you’re staying in the city. Learn more about this family project dating back to 1958 and how exactly they create the perfect blend of wine. You can bask in the sun with one of their own wines, or take a stroll through the vineyards and see where it’s all grown.
With half of its 22 hectares dedicated to vineyards, the estate is planted with a mix of red and white varieties, such as:
- Antão Vaz
- Touriga Nacional
- Syrah
- Cabernet-Sauvignon
- Alicante-Bouschet
Location: Quinta do Canhoto, Estrada dos Brejos, 8200 Albufeira, Portugal.
Opening hours: 11:00 – 13:00 & 14:30 – 18:30 / Monday to Friday
Cabita Wines
Nestled in the heart of Silves, Cabrita Wines is a family-owned estate that has evolved into a renowned producer known for the quality and uniqueness of its wines. The estate covers around 16 hectares of vineyards, benefiting from diverse soil types and the cooling influence of the Serra de Monchique and Atlantic winds.
Cabrita Wines focuses on native Portuguese grape varieties, producing a range of wines that reflect the unique characteristics of the Algarve region. Their portfolio includes red, white, and rosé wines, as well as sparkling and fortified options. Not only that, they also produce a 100% Negra Mole red and a low-grade Muscatel.
Location: Quinta da Vinha, Sítio da Vala, 8300-032 Silves Algarve – Portugal.
Opening hours: 9:00 – 18:00 / Monday to Friday
Herdade dos Pimentéis
Just five kilometres from the centre of Portimão, Herdade dos Pimentéis occupies 38 hectares of land, with 17 hectares dedicated to vineyards farmed sustainably under environmentally friendly practices.
Herdade dos Pimentéis produces wines from varieties such as:
- Aragonez
- Syrah
- Touriga Nacional
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Trincadeira
- Tinto Cão
- Muscat
From these variations of grape, the estate produces five incredible wines which are full-bodied and of a ruby colour.
Location: Apartado 178, 8501-910 Portimão, Portugal.
Opening hours: Not specified
Monte da Casteleja
Located just a few minutes from the charming town of Lagos, Monte da Casteleja is one of the only fully organic vineyards in the Algarve. The estate produces high-quality organic wines using traditional Portuguese grape varieties, harvested “the old-fashioned way.” Monte da Casteleja say they rely on the concept of “producer’s wine,” combining ancient techniques like foot treading and ageing in barrels to produce their white, red, and rosé organic wines.
While on your visit, you can take a tour of the vineyard, cellar, and winery, and also taste some of the estate’s wines.
Location: Cx Postal 3002-I, Estrada do Paúl – Sargaçal, 8600-317 Lagos, Portugal.
Opening hours: 09:00 – 13:00 & 14:00 – 18:00 / Monday to Friday (Shop). 15:00 – 17:00 / Tuesday to Thursday (Guided tours & wine tasting).
Convento do Paraíso
Convento do Paraíso, located within the historic Quinta de Mata Mouros estate, offers you the chance to learn about its history in premium winemaking. They have selected five red grape varieties (Alicante Bouschet, Aragonês, Cabernet Sauvignon, Touriga Nacional, and Sousão) and two white varieties (Alvarinho and Arinto) for their vineyard that covers over 12 hectares of land.
You can take a tour of the vineyard and winery, learn all about viticulture practices (including how the vines are pruned, irrigated and protected throughout the growing season) and winemaking processes, and finish your experience with some wine tasting.
Location: Quinta de Mata Mouros, 8300 Silves.
Opening hours: 9:00 – 18:00 / Monday to Friday
Morgado do Quintão
Morgado do Quintão is a vineyard founded in the early 1810s by the 1st Count of Silves. It’s stayed with the same family since its beginning and is now with the fourth generation! They grow indigenous grapes like Negra Mole and Crato Branco, building on their legacy.
Guests can experience intimate wine tastings, vineyard tours, workshops, and even try their hand at pruning. The tastings can also be complemented by local cheeses and charcuterie.
Location: Morgado do Quintão, 8400 Lagoa, Algarve.
Opening hours: 09:00 – 22:00 / Monday to Saturday.
Book your luxury Algarve stay
If you’re looking for the right place to stay whilst visiting vineyards in the Algarve wine region, then why not take a look at our luxurious villas in the area? Whether you’re looking for villas in Vale do Lobo, Quinta Do Lago, Loule, Vilamoura or Western Algarve, The Real Algarve has got you covered.
Suitable for couples, families or larger groups, our range of properties are amongst the finest in the Algarve. We also have a luxury concierge service for those who want to holiday in style.
For further information, why not contact us today to discuss the options available to you? We’ll ensure your Algarve stay is one you’ll never forget!
Originally posted on 03/04/23
