Casa Mãe da Rota de Vinhos

Excellent introduction to the local wine world.

The first stop for anyone wanting to learn more about the region’s wine. The simplest option: at the beginning of your vacation, buy a tasting package from the store (if necessary, ask for it) and enjoy it piece by piece on the terrace — the chances of finding a new favorite are high. And while prices may seem high from a Portuguese perspective, they’re absolutely reasonable from the perspective of international wine lovers.

Another option is to visit one or two wineries; the ”Mother House” presents about 30 estates in total. Tips and addresses are available in the store. Here (and on the moderately functional website), there’s also a map with tour suggestions through various areas of the wine region — from walks to multi-day wine tourism.

One producer stands out from the offering: Brejinhos da Costa is formally still part of the Setúbal wine region but is located deep in the Alentejo — and right on the coast. The ”Atlantic wines” truly feel like they have a sea breeze; factually, they’re a little different from the rest — excellent spirits for a fair budget.