Wineries & Vineyards
Peninsula de Setúbal
José Maria da Fonseca, a family of wines with almost 200 years of History.
Behind great wines, there is always a great story. Discover the history and the "secrets" of the Bacalhôa Group.
Balance, elegance and biodiversity are the values that inspire Serenada.
Peninsula de Setúbal
The peninsula of Setúbal, together with the peninsula of Tróia, acquired great prestige and importance in the last decades of the twentieth century.The wine tourism product gained equal importance. The cultures of the vine and of the wine have been able to integrate and have adapted to these new times, being nowadays unanimously recognized as a strategic resource and of great quality in the region. From the large farms dominated by the variety Castelão to the Moscatel, one of the national dessert wines, this region has always played a leading role in the history of Portuguese wines.
Farmers in this region have prestigious wines and are winners of numerous international awards, but the recognition comes from old times, since during the Late Middle Ages, between the 12th and 15th centuries, wine has been a main export product in Peninsula de Setúbal, stimulated by the technological advances introduced by the religious orders.
In the Peninsula of Setúbal grape seeds were found, dating from the 8th century BC, in recent archaeological excavations, highlighting the ancient culture of the vine, which goes back in the region to a period long before the formation of Portugal.
It is estimated that the cultivation of vineyards has entered the valley of the River Sado by the Tartessians, for about 2000 B C.
Other cultures, such as Greeks, Romans and Muslims (despite the Qur’an prohibition to consume alcoholic beverages, local authorities proved to be complacent towards the Christians, authorizing the production and trade of wine) improved the cultivation of vines.
The Peninsula of Setúbal presents two types of landscapes. One with vineyards planted on clay-limestone soils, protected by the slopes of Serra da Arrábida, and the other covering flat lands or gently undulating soils composed of sand, poor and perfectly adapted to the production of high quality grapes.
The climate is temperate Mediterranean, with hot dry summers and mild and rainy winters. The average annual relative humidity is high due to the proximity of the sea.
The Peninsula of Setúbal comprises the Designations of Origin, Palmela and Setúbal and the designation of the regional wines "Peninsula de Setúbal”. The name "Setúbal" is reserved for the wines Moscatel of Setúbal and Moscatel Roxo. Most of the wines of the region use the variety Castelão (known in the region of the Peninsula of Setubal by Periquita) in its composition. This is the traditional variety of the region and the legislation for the production of wines of Designation of Origin requires the use of a high percentage of the same. The wines of Castelão are structured, with fruity flavours, suggesting cherry, currant, acorn, chestnut, candied plum, blackberry and raspberry aromas, which harmonize well with the stage in oak barrels. As a general rule, they have an excellent aging potential.
The white varieties of reference in the region are Arinto, Fernão Pires and Moscatel of Setúbal, which is used in white wines and dessert wines of the Designation of Origin of Setúbal. This wine has unique features due to its floral aromas in the whites and the soft flavours of spices and berries in reds. In red varieties, show up the Alfrocheiro and Trincadeira.
The dessert wine of Setúbal, made of the varieties Moscatel and Moscatel Roxo, is one of the oldest and most famous wines in the world. Muscat of Setúbal is a fortified wine of excellent quality, especially when aged for several years in oak barrels. It is a wine with an intense aroma of orange blossoms, honeyed and full-flavoured, which evolves with age for notes of dried fruits, raisins and coffee.
Liqueur wines produced in small quantities, made from the Moscatel Roxo with characteristics similar to Moscatel of Setúbal, are thinner and have very complex aromas and flavours of raisins, figs, hazelnuts and bitter orange.
Tourist AreasThe city of Setúbal is the third harbour of the country, after Porto and Lisbon. The old part of the city has roman origins, one of the oldest in Portugal, with many interesting points to visit. Setúbal is also a mandatory stop for those who intend to discover the natural reserve of the Sado estuary. Placed in one of the last
promontories of the city of Arrábida, Palmela is topped by the impressive
castle–citadel. Strategic location between the estuaries of Tejo and Sado, it
offers a magnificent view of Setúbal, behind the peninsula of Troia and west of
Serra da Arrábida. One of the gastronomic specialities of Palmela is the pear cooked
in wine Moscatel. Setúbal is a starting point
to explore the region. South of the central gardens and fountains is the
marine, fishing harbour and ferries. North of the gardens is the old part of
the city, with nice streets and squares, full of shops and cafes. We recommend
a visit to the Cathedral of the 16th century, the Museum of Archaeology and
Ethnography, the Castle of São Filipe and the Natural Reserve of the Sado
estuary.
The magnificent castle of Palmela, rises in the foothills of Arrábida Mountain. In days of clear sky you can even catch a sight of Lisbon. We recommend a visit to the Church Convent of Santiago, the Church of São Pedro and the annual wine festival in the first weekend of September, in front of the Town Hall of the 17th century. |
TRANSPORT
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TOURIST OFFICETourism region of Costa Azul, Travessa Frei Gaspar, +351 265 539120 / Arrábida Natural Park, Praça da República, +351 265 541140 / Inside the castle walls, +351 212 332122. | |
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