Winery of the Week: Herdade do Esporão

Portugal is the dream wine destination full of possibilities. Today we bring you the continuation of articles in the series that will help you to get to know all the details on some of the best wineries in the country and some offers of the most publicized and unmissable local experiences. Behold today's location: Herdade do Esporão. 

Esporão is without a doubt one of the symbols of the Alentejo. The size of the estate is undoubtedly impressive! What you need to know? Herdade do Esporão is, basically, a stunning landscape, especially at this time when the vines are still dotted with bunches of grapes of all colors and shapes.

With boundaries set in 1267, Herdade do Esporão is located in Reguengos de Monsaraz, in the Alentejo region of Portugal, and is characterized by the diversity of its volcanic and schist soils, under the heat of the Alentejo sun tempered by the Atlantic breeze. The property extends over more than 1,800 hectares, of which about 500ha of vineyards and 82ha of olive groves. In recent years, the group, a giant that produces no less than 14 million liters of wine per year, has also set foot in the Douro, where it produces the Murças and Assobio wines.

About Esporão

Open since 1997, Herdade do Esporão Wine Tourism is referenced as a pioneer project in Portugal and considered by Wine Magazine - The Essence of Wine, the 'Best of the Year 2016'. In 2017 Herdade do Esporão marked 750 years of its delimitation. In 2008, Esporão extended its presence and offer to the Douro region with the purchase of Quinta dos Murças, where terroir wines with the Esporão seal of the guarantee are produced. 2018 is marked by the opening of Enotourism at Quinta dos Murças and the acquisition of Sovina craft beer. In 2019, Esporão buys Quinta do Ameal, in the Vinho Verde region, where excellent white wines are produced from the Loureiro grape variety. Esporão sells its products in all kinds of stores and restaurants in more than 50 countries around the world.

Esporão's holistic approach to adapting a wide range of innovative sustainable practices has led to several national and international recognitions, most notably the prestigious "Sustainability of the year award" at "The Drinks Business Green Awards 2013" and the "European Business Awards for the Environment" in the "Products and Services" category in 2014. In 2018, José Roquette was recognized with 'The Green lifetime Achievement' award at 'The Drinks Business Green Awards, and João Roquette was considered the 'Personality of the Year 2018', by the publication Revista de Vinhos, in the 'Best of the Year 2018' awards. In 2019 Esporão takes on a new cycle in the identity and communication of the company and its brands with the Mais.Devagar campaign. In 2020 and 2021, Esporão was recognized as one of the 50 most admired wine brands in the world, by Drinks International magazine.

When to visit Herdade do Esporão?

There is no specific time to visit the Quinta, however, if you choose a month, in September – called the harvest season. This is where the grapes are harvested and there are several activities that you can participate in the region, from helping with the treading of the grapes. There are not one, not two, but three Esporão harvest programs this year - and with a first. For the first time, Quinta do Ameal, in Refoios do Lima, in the demarcated region of Vinho Verde, will receive help from those who want to participate in a day of harvest, but here the program is not what we want to talk about in this article, since on September 17th the participants will only visit the vineyard and winery, select grapes at the picking table, do a must tasting and have lunch.

Experiences and Tours to enjoy at Herdade do Esporão

Herdade do Esporão Restaurant

The Herdade do Esporão restaurant uses in its menus products from an extensive vegetable garden area, its animal production, as well as a protected forest area, from where they collect wild products. Composting, the reduction in the use of plastic and paper, and the kitchen being directed to zero waste are other practices and commitments that the restaurant assumes.

In addition to the Michelin star, the Michelin Spain and Portugal Guide 2022 awarded Herdade do Esporão's Restaurant a Green Michelin star, a recognition made to restaurants with sustainable practices. The Green Michelin star highlights the restaurant's work with local suppliers, its zero-waste practices, and the elimination of plastic and other non-recyclable materials.

Tasting Extra Virgin Olive Oils

Tour of the olive mill with a guided tasting of 3 extra virgin olive oils. Along with wine, olive oil is an important part of Alentejo culture and the Mediterranean diet. Discover Esporão's olive oil production process, and explore a modern and innovative olive mill. Includes a technical tasting of 3 extra virgin olive oils in the Wine Bar Cloisters.

Tour and Tasting Esporão Wineries

Guided tour in the Vineyards with discuss some organic production processes. In the Monte Velho and Lagares Wineries, discover the different Herdade do Esporão winemaking processes. Wine tastings, carried out in the Garden Cloisters, include 2 white wines and 2 red wines which offer fruity and fresh characteristics, as well as the elegant and full bodies of more complex wines.

Herdade do Esporão - Guided Tours + Wine Tasting

Know the secrets of the production of the wines of Herdade do Esporão through a guided tour of the Wineries and Cellars. The 15 meters deep Barrels Tunnel where the rest of the special wine, is one of the attractions of this visit. For those who want to know more about the wines and explore the different wine sensations, the Herdade offers excellent conditions. From the grape to the glass wines can be appreciated in the most different ways. Whites our reds, light or full-bodied, the diversity of the wines produced at Esporão allow performing tastings, courses, and tours that provide direct contact with the way of production, tasting techniques, and service techniques.

Herdade do Esporão - Adventure and Sport

The Herdade do Esporão offers you the chance of, besides expanding your wine knowledge, also enjoying an experience related to nature.