Discover Portugal: Ancient Traditions, Modern Wines
Discover Portugal: Ancient Traditions, Modern Wines
Grand European Wine Tour – Wine Wednesday
The Wines of Portugal
Wednesday, July 8 | 5:00–7:00 PM
10% Off All Featured Wines During the Tasting
After spending the past two months exploring the legendary vineyards of Austria and Germany, our Grand European Wine Tour heads southwest to one of Europe’s most exciting wine-producing countries: Portugal.
While Portugal is famous for Port wine, today’s Portuguese wine scene is one of the most dynamic in the world. With over 250 indigenous grape varieties, centuries of winemaking history, and a new generation of visionary producers, Portugal offers wines unlike anywhere else. Throughout July, we’ll travel from the warm, sun-drenched plains of the Alentejo, north through the historic vineyards surrounding Lisbon, into the mountain valleys of the Dão and Bairrada, before concluding in the iconic landscapes of the Douro Valley and the refreshing coastal vineyards of Vinho Verde.
Each Wednesday we’ll feature four carefully selected wines that capture the unique terroir, native grape varieties, and traditions of one of Portugal’s remarkable regions.
Whether you’re discovering Portugal for the first time or looking to deepen your appreciation, this series promises to be one of the highlights of our European wine journey.
Week One: The Alentejo
Portugal’s Ancient Heart of Winemaking
Occupying nearly one-third of Portugal, Alentejo is a landscape of rolling hills, cork forests, olive groves, and vineyards that stretch toward the Spanish border. Although known for its warm Mediterranean climate, many of the region’s finest vineyards are planted at higher elevations where cooler nighttime temperatures preserve freshness and balance.
Alentejo is also home to one of the world’s oldest winemaking traditions. Long before stainless steel tanks and French oak barrels, wines here were fermented and aged in large clay vessels known as talhas, a practice introduced by the Romans over 2,000 years ago. Today, a handful of visionary producers have revived these ancient techniques, creating wines that are simultaneously historic and strikingly modern.
Rather than relying on international varieties, Alentejo celebrates Portugal’s remarkable collection of native grapes including Antão Vaz, Arinto, Roupeiro, Moreto, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet, and Aragonez (Tempranillo). These varieties produce wines that are vibrant, savory, and distinctly Portuguese.
Featured Producers
Cabeças do Reguengo: One of Portugal’s most exciting small producers, Cabeças do Reguengo farms high-elevation vineyards in the Serra de São Mamede near the Spanish border. Granite soils, old vines, and a cooler mountain climate produce remarkably elegant wines that challenge traditional perceptions of Alentejo. Their philosophy emphasizes native varieties, minimal intervention, and expressive vineyard character.
Susana Esteban: Originally from Spain, Susana Esteban has become one of Portugal’s most celebrated winemakers, earning numerous accolades for her thoughtful, terroir-driven approach. She works with old vineyards throughout northern Alentejo, crafting wines that combine remarkable freshness with depth and precision. Her wines have helped redefine what modern Alentejo can be.
XXVI Talhas: Named for the twenty-six ancient clay vessels housed in the cellar, XXVI Talhas is dedicated to preserving the Roman tradition of amphora winemaking. Fermentation and aging take place entirely in traditional clay talhas, producing wines of remarkable purity, texture, and authenticity that connect today’s drinkers with one of Europe’s oldest continuous wine cultures.
Herdade do Rocim: Herdade do Rocim has become one of Portugal’s benchmark estates by seamlessly blending innovation with tradition. Alongside modern wines from estate vineyards, Rocim has led the revival of amphora winemaking in Alentejo, demonstrating how these ancient techniques can produce wines of exceptional freshness, complexity, and elegance.
Featured Wines:
2021 Cabeças do Reguengo “Vira Cabeças” Branco, Alentejo $35.99 $32.39
2024 Susana Esteban “Aventura” Tinto, Alentejo $30.99 $27.89
2023 XXVI Talhas “Branco do Tareco,” Alentejo $22.99 $20.69
2023 Herdade do Rocim “Amphora” Vinho Tinto, Alentejo $33.99 $30.59
Why Alentejo?
The Alentejo perfectly illustrates why Portugal has become one of the wine world’s most exciting destinations. Ancient Roman winemaking traditions coexist alongside cutting-edge viticulture, while native grape varieties produce wines unlike anything found elsewhere in Europe.
This week’s tasting showcases both the future and the past of Portuguese wine, from mountain-grown whites of remarkable elegance to amphora-fermented reds crafted using techniques that have remained virtually unchanged for two millennia.
Join us as we begin a month-long journey through one of Europe’s most fascinating wine cultures.