Outeiros Altos -
Quintessential Portuguese winery in estremoz
The bluest blue and the reddest red at Herdade dos Outeiros Altos winery in Estremoz, PortugalThe region around Estremoz in Southern Portugal is known for its wines and marble.
In fact, there is so much marble that even the sidewalks of Estremoz are paved with a rare pink variety.
A door with a solid pink marble frame
Intricate design on the marble sidewalkA pretty sight, but I wouldn’t want to walk these streets in the rain.
Not that the rain blesses this area often. Drought is a huge challenge in Alentejo. The Portuguese call Alentejo “the future desert’.
This is the land of muscular and powerful wines that send you into knock out (speaking from personal experience).
Most wineries in the area are larger producers. Not our thing.
But we chanced upon a small winery with a rare combination of heart, know-how and resolve.
Outeiros Altos winery in Estremoz
Look how cute this winery is!After a fun visit to the Estremoz market and a mind-blowing meal at Casa do Gadanha - we thought we were done. Our senses were exhausted and nothing else could impress our weary hearts.
But Alentejo is a gift that keeps on giving…
A short 5-min drive brought us into a beautiful Serra d’Ossa valley - covered in vines, cork oaks and olive trees.
Valley of Serra d'Ossa and the red soils of Outeiros Altos vineyardsThis is home to Herdade dos Outeiros Altos. A family-run winery that specialises in Talha wines made in traditional clay amphorae.
The property is gorgeous - authentically and lovingly restored by a sweet couple. Jorge and Fernanda started out here as young graduates from Douro - resolved to create something special.
Sacred guardian of the organic vineyards at Outeiros Altos
Beautiful red soils in the vineyards - schist with quartz
Larger pieces found in the vineyard are used as construction materialThis is also a family home - it feels cosy and warm.
Every nook and cranny is filled with love and dedication.
Infinity pool at the Outeiros Altos winery. Look at that view!Outeiros Altos wines - Alentejo in a bottle
The wines are made in a very honest way:
Indigenous varieties, organic farming, field blending, wild yeast fermentation, no filtration - nothing to hide behind!
Just fermented grape juice - aged in old oak barrels or clay amphorae called Talha.
Clay amphora collection at Outeiros Altos
Wine being made in a Talha jarThe family took a long time to search out old traditional Talha clay vessels to use for their production. The art of making these is all but lost. It took numerous visits to old garages and cellars to seek out these relics.
The oldest Talha jar in their possession has a menacing date of birth - 1666. It looks like a witch’s cauldron too. Must have made some mean wine in the past.
Talha clay amphora produced in 1666. To the left of the date is the mark of the maker.The wines at Outeiros Altos are simply exquisite. Carefully crafted, almost chiselled.
None of that clumsy heaviness that is often present in mass-produced Alentejo wines.
Traditional and super cosy tasting room
View from the tasting room towards the pool
A wine tasting accompanied by olives grown on the property and sausages made by the owners.
A sumptuous rose that didn't make it home to Canada. We devoured it the same night.
Outeiros Altos 2021 - organic beauty from Alentejo - Sem Sulfitos!We loved this red beauty - Outeiros Altos 2021. A field blend of 5 Portuguese varieties. Co-fermented and aged in used oak for 6 months. No sulphur added.
It travelled with us to Canada where I opened it on my birthday in December. A monster wine with explosion of flavours.
We had to chill it a little bit to tame the fire. A true Alentejo beauty!
Estremoz, Portugal
