Wine tours in the Algarve
Are you interested in learning more about the background of your delicious wines? Opt for a beautiful day out in the countryside of the Algarve. Here you can learn how your wine is being produced, from vineyard to bottle. Portugese wines have earned its quality status and some of them have won awards. Traditionally, the most famous wines in Portugal come from the Douro region in the north of Portugal. However, the Algarve has started to revitalize its wine sector. As a result, the consumption of wine from the Algarve is on the rise. Go on a wine tour and discover the best wineries. In this article you can read all about wine tours in the Algarve.
Perfect climate
The Algarve benefits from a sunny climate that is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and the different mountain ranges (Caldeirão, Espinhaço de Cão and Monchique). The mountains protect the area from the cold northern winds. Together with the fertile soil of clay, it is an excellent evironment for producing wines.
Algarve wines
Wineries in the Algarve are mainly centered around the towns of Lagos, Portimão, Lagoa and Tavira, but there are wineries near other towns too of course. Algarvian wines receive the label: ‘regional wine of Algarve‘. The red wines are made of the grapes Castelão and Tinta Negra Mole and the white wines are made of the grapes Arinto and Síria. Both the red and the white wines are characterized by very ripe fruit, velvety and warm flavours. Furthermore, the wines of this region in general have a high alcohol content.
Wine tours in the Algarve
The Algarve is a fairly new wine region in the history of wine. That is why the number of wineries in the Algarve are fairly limited. However, Algarvian wines do offer a high quality standard. Some are even nationally and internationally acclaimed. Most of the wineries offer wine tours as well. Do you prefer to drink wines that have been aged in oak barrels or stainless steel vessels? We have listed the best wine tours in the Algarve that are well worth a visit.
Quinta da Tôr (Loulé)
Quinta da Tôr is a wine estate of 47 hectares that is located in the little town of Tôr, near Loulé. The vineyard grows 7 grape varieties and produces 100.000 bottles yearly. Quinta da Tôr is famous for producing rare wines that have 17% alcohol content. A guided tour including a wine tasting is organized from Monday to Saturday. No booking is required if you are less than 10 people and visit between 10:30 and 14:30. The wine estate is highly recommended and guests especially love the fact that you have the option of doing the wine tasting at the infinity pool.
Read more information on their website
Quinta dos Vales (Estômbar)
Quinta dos Vales is a premium wine estate located in the heart of Western Algarve, in the town of Estômbar. Literally, Quinta dos Vales means Farm of the Valleys. The winery encompasses 44 hectares and produces 100.000 litres of wine a year. The wine label of Quinta dos Vales is called Marquês dos Vales. Its red, white and rosé wines have received numerous awards both nationally and internatonally. The wines of the Quinta dos Vales are without a doubt considered to be one of the best of the Algarve. The winery also organizes daily wine tours and tastings. Prices of a guided tour including a wine tasting start at € 20 per person. After a tour, guests can also purchase the wine in the on-site shop.
Next to the vineyard, the estate also has a wonderful garden of statues. Additionally, Quinta dos Vales is a popular wedding venue for couples who love to get married on a vineyard.
Read more information on their website
Quinta dos Vales also offers visitors the opportunity to participate in the wine making process themselves. They call this a wine making workshop. So depending on the month you are visiting, you can plant your own grapes, help with the blending and aging process or bottle the wine and design your own label. The vineyard is open to visitors all year round. However, harvest season is in August and September. This is the time when the grapes are hand-picked in the morning.
Villa Alvor (Portimão)
The premium wine estate of Villa Alvor is located in Portimão. Previously this estate was known as Quinta do Morgado da Torre. The vineyard is 20 hectares in size and was founded in 1999. The family estate produces 90.000 liters of wine a year. The wines are being sold under the label Alvor. They were actually the first wine producer in the Algarve with the seal of Controlled Designation of Origin (DOC). The grapes are hand-picked and mature in oak barrels. For a guided tour including a wine tasting you have to contact them.
Read more information on their website
Adega do Cantor (Guia)
Adega do Cantor is situated in Guia, close to Albufeira. Literally, it means winery of the singer. The winery received this name when musician Cliff Richard bought the estate. The highly rated winery offers wonderful views of the surrounding vineyards and coastline. Adega do Cantor brings together the grapes from three farms: Moinho, Miradouro and Vale do Sobreiro. Vida Nova and the Onda Nova are the award-winning wines that are being produced here. The cellar has a capacity of 150 barrels. Guided tours are being organized daily. Furthermore, it is recommended to make a reservation in advance. A wine tour including tasting costs € 10 and lasts about 2 hours.
Read more information on their website
Quinta de Mata Mouros (Silves)
Quinta de Mata Mouos is a 12 hectare vineyard located in Silves. The grapes were planted in 2000, but the location has a long and rich history. The vineyard surrounds the Convento do Paraíso. This was built in the 12th century and the main structure still remains. In this unique historic enviroment, superior quality wines are being produced. For example, they produce Euphoria Tinto, Euphoria Rosé, Euphoria Branco, Convento do Paraíso Tinto and Imprevisto Tinto. For a guided tour including a wine tasting, booking in advance is recommended.
Read more information on TripAdvisor
Quinta do Francês (Silves)
Quinta do Francês is a small vineyard of 8 hectares that is situated in the hills of Silves. The young vineyard is owned by a French winemaker who went to production for the first time in 2008. At Quinta do Francês, the grapes are all hand-picked and sorted by hand. A guided tour lasts about 30 minutes and also includes the tasting of 3 wines. Moreover, you can choose to taste their Odelouca label (the budget range) or taste their premium label, Quinta do Francês. The cost of the tour is € 8 per person. If you are searching for a low key experience, visit this lovely little vineyard.
Read more information on their website
Quinta da Vinha (Silves)
Quinta da Vinha is a small family run wine estate of 6,6 hectares located in Silves. The winery is famous for its authentic Algarvian wines that is sold under the label Cabrita. The first production is from 2007. Ever since, the wines have received numerous international and national awards. This guided wine tour is highly recommended. You can expect a generous wine tasting paired with excellent tapas. Furthermore, the tasting is held in a beautifully designed tasting room. The winery is open to the public from Monday to Fridays. A reservation is recommended.
Read more information on their website (Portuguese only)
Monte da Casteleja (Lagos)
Monte da Casteleja is a small organic wine estate of 3 hectares that is located in Lagos. The owner started the vineyard in 2000 and the first production is from 2004. The wine making process combines modern technologies and ancestral artistry. Here, the grapes are still being stomped with the feet. Despite being a small winery, Monte da Casteleja is highly recommended by visitors. According to TripAdvisor, this is one of the best wine tours in the Algarve.
They have guided wine tours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. On Wednesdays, the guided tour is led by with the winegrower himself, Guillaume Leroux. This tour lasts about 2 hours and includes a wine tasting of 4 wines paired with tapas. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the guided tour is done by their oenologist. This tour takes you to the vineyards, cellar and winery. The tour ends with a tasting of 3 wines paired with tapas and lasts about 1,5 hours. However, booking in advance is required for all tours.
Read more information on their website
Accomodation
Furthermore, it is possible to sleep in the farm of Monte da Casteleja. Guests highly rate the spacious rooms with private terrace and the views of the vineyard. Moreover, the breakfast with fresh local products is excellent.
Excursions
There are great excursions that include a visit to one or more vineyards. Explore the authentic Algarve on these fun and interesting all day tours. Most of these tours also have a professional guide. Check out our favourite wine tour excursions below.