Alentejo is particularly suited to the production of typical wines of exceptionally high quality. It is dotted with vast areas of vineyards over extensive plains.

Amongst others, there are six species of vine that distinguish Alentejo's wines: three white ones, "Roupeira" with a well balanced nose and lemony tones, "Rabo de Ovelha" a productive species with a light, open colour and "Antão Vaz" which has a very distinctive nose - and three red - "Periquita" with its very fruity, smooth taste, "Trincadeira" with its particularly fresh taste and high alcohol content and "Aragonez" a dark red that gives the wines plenty of body.

HISTORIC ROUTE
Vestiges of the past, reflecting the different eras and inhabitants of the area are clearly evident and are one good reason for following this itinerary. Of special importance is Évora, World Heritage Site with all the richness of its historic and monumental beauty.

The fruity white wines have a slight acidity and good body. The red wines develop quickly and while still young have a blood red colour, an aroma of ripe red fruits, minimum acidity and are smooth and well balanced.

ÉVORA
A legacy from different cultures and different eras, the site of the court during the Discoveries (16th cent.) and one of the oldest universities, it has has kept intact the historic walled center, palaces, convents and monuments that were the stage for some of the most important events of the country's history.
Fundação Eugénio de Almeida
The Cartuxa wine cellar was an old Jesuit post integrated into the national heritage in 1775 and a large wine press has been in operation there since 1776. Recommended wine: "Cartuxa". (Adega da Cartuxa, Estrada da Igrejinha, Évora).
Jorge Manuel Ferreira Martins
Linking tradition with some of the most modern technology, the Cortiçadas Estate produces its red wines in traditional presses and then leaves them to mature in wooden barrels. The white wines are fermented under controlled temperatures. Recommended wine: "Monte das Cortiçades". (Herdade da Cortiçades, S. Sebastião da Giesteira).

MONTEMOR-O-NOVO
This is the land of working people, of cultivated fields and shepherds who herd their flocks over undulating plains. Montemor-o-Novo is the birth place of João Cidade (1495), who, due to his humanitarianism and life's work with the poor and the sick, is known today as St. John of God.
Sociedade Agrícola Gabriel Francisco Dias e Irmãs, Lda.
Since 1970 this company has been dedicated to agricultural activities, with special importance being given to its vines, that today cover some 100 hectares. Recommended wine: "Couteiro Mor" Selected Harvest. (Courela do Guita, Monte Estoril, Montemor-o-Novo).

ARRAIOLOS
A white village where whitewashed houses with silver and ochre lintels are guarded at the highest point by a round, walled 17th century castle.
J.P. Vinhos, S.A.
The vineyards of the Santa Marta Estate are located close to the town of Moura on the southern slopes of Alentejo. The red clay soil lies over a subsoil that is rich in limestone. The wine is made in the wine cellar at Arraiolos, where the traditional architecture of the building meets modern technology. Recommended wine: "Herdade de Santa Marta". Lugar da Cerâmica, Arraiolos).
Sociedade Agrícola Herdade dos Coelheiros, S.A.
The Coelheiros Estate, situated near Igrejinha, in the borough of Arraiolos, has some 14 hectares of vineyards, mostly of the red strains. The decorative labels are inspired by motifs from the famous Arraiolos carpets. Recommended wine: "Tapada de Coelheiros". (Monte dos Coelheiros, Igrejinha).

ESTREMOZ
Favoured by kings and artists, it is famous for the pink and white marble hidden deep under the vineyards and olive groves. Here the artists work in clay and pottery, transforming the red clay into small human figures (Bonecos de Estremoz) and into stone jugs and water carriers.
S.A. Quinta do Carmo, Lda.
The Carvalhas Estate is just one of the properties that make up this agricultural development, where recently a wine cellar was built. This company's wine growing is traditionally concentrated on the production of red wines, and it is distinguished by technological expansion. Recommended wine: "Quinta do Carmo". (Herdade das Carvalhas, Glória, Estremoz).

REDONDO
Area of vines and red clay, pottery, mule drivers and singers, between the nearby Ossa Mountain and the Vigia Dam which keep it cool in the summer, it has low white houses painted blue and yellow. From the opulence of the past, it displays in its convents, churches and manors both rich tiling and baroque engravings in gilded wood.
Adega Cooperativa de Redondo
It has some of the most modern and well equipped wine cellars in Alentejo. The vines are spread through the parishes of Redondo, Alandroal and Évora. Recommended wine: "Monte da Ferra". (Estrada de Évora - Redondo).
Roquevale, Lda.
This vineyard has an area of vines covering almost 180 hectares. It built its own wine cellar in 1989 and is the only producer in the wine region of Redondo doing its own bottling. Recommended wine: "Tinto da Talha". (Monte Branco, Estrada da Serra d'Ossa - Redondo).

REGUENGOS DE MONSARAZ
Alentejan town surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, where the presence of ancient (prehistoric) civilizations abound. On the outskirts, the Solar da Herdade do Esporão and the village of S. Pedro do Corval, an important center for pottery, are essential stops.
Cooperativa Agrícola de Reguengos de Monsaraz
Founded in 1971 on the initiative of 60 growers, this cooperative has from the outset, achieved notable development and currently has 576 members. Its wines are much appreciated by high numbers of consumers. Recommended wine: "Reguengos"/Garrafeira dos Sócios. (Estrada de Monsaraz - Reguengos de Monsaraz).
Finagra, S.A.
The Esporão Estate is the largest and oldest in the region. With an area of over 350 hectares of vines producing Esporão wine. Recommended wine: Esporão "Reguengos". (Herdade do Esporão - Reguengos de Monsaraz)