Herdade do Freixo and Casa Relvas

HERDADE DO FREIXO

The Herdade do Freixo is located in the Redondo area and covers approximately 300 hectares of land, of which 35 hectares are planted with vineyards at an altitude of 450 meters. These vineyards benefit from exceptional sun exposure and the microclimate created by the Serra D’Ossa. This project prioritizes the use of grape varieties such as Touriga Nacional, Alicante Bouschet, and Petite Verdot, but also includes varieties not typically found in this terroir, like the white wine grape Riesling. This harmony results in the production of wines of exceptional quality, with good minerality, balanced acidity, and potential for longevity.

Herdade do Freixo also stands out for the architecture and design of its winery, which is unique in Europe. Designed by architect Frederico Valssasina, the main goal was to create a winery in harmony with nature, so the building would be “integrated” into the landscape. The project resulted in an underground winery that extends over three floors below ground level.

Because it is built underground, the winery is able to use only natural gravity throughout the winemaking process, benefiting from temperature regulation for wine preservation.

CASA RELVAS

The family project, which began with around 10 hectares of vineyards planted in 2001, now has 755 hectares of cork oak forests, 293 hectares of olive groves and 282 hectares of vineyards, 100% in integrated production. Despite this growth over the last 23 years, sustainability has been a major concern for the company, which is now certified as 100% sustainable, having created, for example, its own water treatment plant.

With three estates in genuine Alentejo terroir: Herdades de São Miguel and Pimenta in São Miguel de Machede, in Redondo and Herdade dos Pisões, in Vidigueira, Casa Relvas produces more than 8 million bottles of wine annually.

The main grape varieties planted in the 3 estates mentioned above are Alicante Bouschet, Trincadeira, Aragonez, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca in red and Arinto, Viognier and Antão in white.