WINE
WHERE WINE MEETS DESIGN
WINE
WHERE WINE MEETS DESIGN
Portugal is known for its ancient winemaking traditions, but what is captivating today is how the country is blending its deep-rooted viticulture with bold, contemporary architecture. Across the regions – from the lush Douro Valley to the windswept Azores – a new generation of wineries is defining its own sense of style
Quinta do Vallado – Douro Valley
Modern architecture meets centuries of winemaking
One of the region’s oldest and most iconic estates, founded in 1716, it blends centuries of wine heritage with bold contemporary architecture.
In 2009, the estate commissioned Portuguese architect Francisco Vieira de Campos to design a new winery building and wine hotel. The result is a minimalist slate-and-glass structure that reflects the schist soil of the Douro. The winery is sleek, angular, and stunningly integrated into the surrounding terraced vineyards.
quintadovallado.com
Wine to try: Vallado Reserva Field Blend – made from 80-year-old vines and full of Douro depth.
cavelusa.pt/en/store/wine/portuguese/vallado-reserva-field-blend-red/
Adega Mayor – Alentejo
A vision of white serenity in the plains of Campo Maior
In the sun-drenched plains of Alentejo, near the Spanish border, Adega Mayor rises like a modernist sculpture. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Álvaro Siza Vieira, this winery is a shining example of how minimalism can speak volumes.The long, white, linear structure appears to float above the vineyards. Inside, the spaces are airy and pure, flooded with natural light.
adegamayor.pt
Wine to try: Adega Mayor Reserva Red – a rich and structured blend that reflects Alentejo’s generous character.
portugalvineyards.com/en/alentejo/2412-adega-mayor-reserve-red-2022-5607623012882.html
Quinta do Soalheiro – Vinho Verde (Minho)
Nature-inspired architecture in the birthplace of the Alvarinho grape
Tucked into the green hills of Melgaço, near the Spanish border, Quinta do Soalheiro is a pioneer in the Vinho Verde region and a benchmark for Alvarinho lovers. Their recently built visitor centre and winery expansion blend wood, cork, and stone to reflect the surrounding forested landscape. The building is designed to feel like a natural extension of the land, using local materials and passive energy systems.
soalheiro.com
Wine to try: Soalheiro Alvarinho Primeiras Vinhas – a refined expression from the oldest vines on the estate.
garrafeiratiopepe.pt/loja/garrafeira/vinhos/brancos/vinho-soalheiro-primeiras-vinhas-branco-2023/
Herdade do Freixo – Alentejo (Redondo, Serra d’Ossa)
A winery hidden beneath the earth
Designed by architect Frederico Valsassina, this winery is one of the most innovative buildings in the Iberian Peninsula. The entire winery is built underground – three floors spiralling down into the earth in a helix. The descent into the winery is almost spiritual. Visitors slowly walk down the spiral ramp, observing each stage of the winemaking process. It’s a design that turns a simple winery tour into a true journey of discovery.
herdadedofreixo.com
Wine to try: Freixo Family Collection Red – powerful, polished, and reflective of the estate’s high-altitude terroir.
winesandco.eu/product/freixo-family-collection/
Azores Wine Company – Azores (Pico Island)
Volcanic design on the edge of the Atlantic
Perched between the Atlantic Ocean and the island’s black volcanic vineyards, this winery is a bold and beautiful ode to isolation and resilience.
The building, designed by SAMI Arquitectos, uses local basalt stone and concrete to mimic the traditional ‘currais’ (dry stone vineyard walls) of the region. The structure blends harmoniously with the lava fields and ocean cliffs, creating a sense of timelessness and place.
antoniomacanita.com/pt/adegas/azores-wine-company
Wine to try: Arinto dos Açores – a salty, mineral-driven white that captures the wild essence of the Atlantic.
dourado.com.pt/arinto-dos-acores-antonio-macanita-branco
Quinta da Bacalhôa – Setúbal Peninsula
Art, wine, and a palace with Moorish flair
Quinta da Bacalhôa is perhaps the most eclectic and surprising winery in Portugal. Located in the Setúbal Peninsula near Azeitão, it combines a Renaissance-style palace, a sculpture-filled garden, a world-class art collection, and a high-tech winemaking facility.
While the palace itself dates back to the 15th century, the modern winery and visitor centre are carefully integrated into the landscape and designed to complement the estate’s historical architecture. Contemporary tasting rooms sit alongside traditional azulejos, Moorish-inspired windows, and curated art installations.
Wine to try: Quinta da Bacalhôa Red – a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, elegant and structured, with a touch of exotic spice.
portugalvineyards.com/en/setubal/1374-quinta-da-bacalhoa-red-2021-5601237011224.html
Words: Lívia Mokri
