Torre do Frade Winery

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Museum

District: Portalegre > Monforte > Santo Aleixo > Torre do Frade

Location

Torre do Frade Winery is located in an area of the same name, "Torre do Frade", in the locality of Santo Aleixo, within the municipality of Monforte. This region, in Alto Alentejo, is characterized by open landscapes and natural conditions that favor vine cultivation, integrating seamlessly with the tranquil beauty of the Alentejo plains.

Historical Legacy

The property's history dates back to ancient times, having functioned as a convent between 1384 and 1834. In 1839, the ancestors of the current owning family acquired the estate, establishing a deep connection with the land that endures to this day. The property was revitalized by the family starting in 1980, and currently, three family branches keep the winery's tradition alive, perpetuating its legacy.

Heritage and Wine Production

Wine production at Torre do Frade Winery combines ancestral know-how with more recent techniques. Its red, white, and rosé wines are crafted from selected, hand-harvested grape varieties such as Verdelho, Arinto, Viognier, Antão Vaz, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez, Syrah, and Touriga Nacional. The cultivation of the vineyards, which significantly expanded in the early 21st century across approximately 14 hectares near Santo Aleixo, benefits from the ideal conditions of the Alentejo terrain. Great emphasis is placed on ecological and sustainable processes, both in the vineyards and in the winery, to preserve environmental balance and vine health.

Underground Architecture

One of the most notable elements of Torre do Frade Winery is its underground architecture dedicated to wine aging. The winery features a 17th-century Italian-style aging cellar. In addition to this, there is a remarkable 17th-century tunnel, of French construction and excavated directly into the stone, approximately 100 meters long. This tunnel is unique in the region and naturally maintains stable temperature and humidity throughout the year, ideal conditions for the wine bottles to rest.