Category: Civil Architecture > Winery
District: Beja > Vidigueira > Vila de Frades > Bairro Doutor Alfredo Caetano da Silva
Vila de Frades, in the municipality of Vidigueira, Alentejo. The village is known as the "capital" of Vinho de Talha, with a privileged location between Évora and Beja, near the ruins of the Roman Villa of São Cucufate, where it was discovered that the Romans already produced this type of wine.
An ancestral winemaking process brought by the Romans, where grapes are fermented in large clay pots (talhas). This wine is one of the great traditions of the region and is in the process of being nominated for Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The production of Vinho de Talha has centuries of history, and it is a very strong tradition in Vila de Frades. The inhabitants of the village, known as "Farrapeiros", have a deep connection with this practice. The name dates back to the 16th century and refers to the Capuchin friars of the Order of Saint Francis, who wore simple clothes and allowed the population to explore their vineyards to produce this wine.
In Vila de Frades, there are several wine cellars that continue to produce Vinho de Talha in the traditional way. Some of the main cellars in the village include:
, Adega Gerações da Talha: Located on Rua de Lisboa, this wine cellar has a history dating back to the 18th century and has been preserved by several generations of the Nogueira Anacleto family. The project aims to keep the genuine production of this wine alive.
, Adega Museu Cella Vinaria Antiqua: A space dedicated to the history of Vinho de Talha, where visitors can learn more about the production process and the traditions of the region.
, Wine cellars of other local producers: The village has several other wine cellars and taverns, such as Adega Luís Amado, Adega do Sérgio, Adega José Galante, and many other small producers, who preserve the tradition and share their knowledge about Vinho de Talha with visitors.
Vinho de Talha is produced with grapes that are destemmed and crushed before being placed in clay pots. During fermentation, the released carbon dioxide raises the solid parts of the grape to the surface, forming a thick layer, which is mixed (remontagem) several times a day. This process is essential to ensure the quality of the wine, giving it color, flavor, and aroma.
Tourists can visit the wine cellars to learn about the history and winemaking process of Vinho de Talha, and, of course, taste the wine. Some cellars offer guided tours, allowing visitors to explore the facilities, see the ancient clay pots, and learn the secrets of producing this unique wine.
Vila de Frades and the Alentejo region are also famous for their gastronomy, where Vinho de Talha perfectly complements typical regional dishes, such as lamb stew, sheep's cheese, and sausages.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vila_de_Frades
https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitifrades
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 38.2127354,-7.8241041
Coordinates DMS: 38°12'45.8"N 07°49'26.8"W
Weather Vila de Frades
On-duty Pharmacy Vila de Frades
