Alenquer Wines

The third largest municipality in the District of Lisbon, Alenquer (35 km northwest of Lisbon) has been a land of vineyards since ancient times, and wine production is the basis of its economy. Almost a quarter of the region's wine production comes from Merceana, Labrugeira and Olhalvo.

Variety of Breeds

Among the main grapes varieties used in the region are Castelão, Camarate, Tinta Miúda, Syrah, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Caladoc, Viognier, Marsanne, Arinto, Fernão Pires, Viosinho, Verdelho, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Preto Martinho.

White and red wines

Alenquer was once the land where white wines reigned. In recent years, however, the red wines are gaining ground and prestige.

Featured Quintas

Among the producers of DOC Alenquer, the highlight is two large farms, Quinta da Boavista, which produces more than 12 million bottles - and has a diversified palette of brands - of which about 90% are exported to around 50 countries. Owned by the company Casa Santos Lima (which has 400 hectares of vineyards throughout the country), this quinta is the largest producer of the denominations Regional W ine Lisboa (40% of the total) and DOC Alenquer.

Quinta dos Anjos and Quinta do Pinto, with 20 hectares of vineyards, produce around 8 million bottles.

And, Quinta do Porto Franco, one of the largest in the region, with a production of about 4 million bottles.