Vila De Frades, Beja, Address available on request

Located in a region of the Alentejo that is well known for its carved wines "Vinhos de Talha", a tradition that dates back to the Roman occupation over 2,000 years ago, several organisations, led by the Vidigueira Town Council, have promoted the nomination of the Traditional Production of "Vinho de Talha" as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (Unesco). This 44-hectare estate is part of the future Talha Wine Route in the Alentejo, of which 21 hectares are vineyards (plus 3.5 hectares authorised for planting new vines). It also includes 7 hectares of olive groves and 3 hectares of orange groves.Located in the municipality of Vidigueira, in an area where clay-pot winemaking predominate, the farm has a 250 m2 winery, which includes 7 clay carvings and all the essential equipment for wine production. Part of the grapes harvested on the estate are vinified in this cellar, where Trincadeira, Alfrocheiro, Aragonês, Shirah and Alicante Bouschet predominate, while Antão Vaz and Arinto dominate the white wines,The farm includes a Rural Hotel with six rooms in a total area of 370 m2, with infrastructures for expansion to 12 rooms. It also includes a 372 m2 house and an imposing 8x8 metre swimming pool. After a long period in which the tradition of carving wines declined and remained somewhat restricted to local consumption, in recent years this ancestral practice of wine production has seen a notable increase, leading to an increase in the scale of production and the arrival of new producers and a growing number of visitors, who are attracted by the numerous wine events that begin on the day the carvings are opened on St Martins Day (11 November) and continue throughout the year. Highlights include Amphora Wine Day at Herdade do Rocim, Vitifrades and various other wine events, particularly in Vila de Frades and Vila Alva. Vila de Frades is home to the Talha Wine Interpretive Centre and the imposing Roman ruins of S.Cucufate, as well as numerous wineries and restaurants. The link between carved wine and Cante Alentejano, an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (Unesco) since 2014, is a breathtaking experience.Wine tourism in the Alentejo grew by 27 per cent in 2023, with the Portuguese leading the way, but also with a strong presence of Americans, Brazilians and Spaniards. Portugal is currently the worlds second largest wine tourism destination, second only to Italy. Its therefore not surprising that there is growing interest, both from Portuguese producers, particularly in the Douro, and from international investors.