Adega Mãe

Meet the project

The Lisbon region, formerly known as Estremadura, located northwest of Lisbon and, composed by nine Appelations of Origin (Colares, Carcavelos, Bucelas, Alenquer, Arruda, Torres Vedras, Lourinhã, Óbidos and Encostas d’Aire), was once identified as one of the largest wine regions in the country, in terms of vineyard area and Portuguese wine production. Although, as a region known for its production under the responsibility of “Adegas Cooperativas”, it was essentially known for its production of high quantity in favor of quality.
A region characterized by moderate temperatures, high rainfall and cool, moist winds where the vineyards established near the coast suffer a strong Atlantic influence, allowing slow maturations, low to medium alcohol content and high natural acidity, which translates into wines of high freshness and gastronomic aptitude.

It is in the sub-region of Torres Vedras, 40 Kms north of Lisbon, that Adega Mãe arises, a project led by the Alves family, founder of the Riberalves Group (reference in the codfish sector), which was born from the dream of honoring the matriarch of the family, Mrs. Manuela Alves and which, in 2010, launches in the market its first wine, Dory red 2010. This is a wine that honors the people of the sea, who once said farewell to their families to embark on small boats, called Dóri, simple one-man boats, supported by the mother ships over long distances, and line fishing the famous Cod, not knowing if they would return to the ship, considering the weather conditions where the fishing took place.

Despite the fact the winery is based in Quinta da Archeira (municipality of Torres Vedras) about 10 kms from the sea, the project counts with grape production from 6 different vineyards. From the sea to Montejunto-Estrela mountain system, Quinta da Archeira, Vinha da Sarge and Vinha de Montejunto are responsible for the white grapes production and red Pinot Noir, due to the moderate temperatures and permanent Atlantic breezes. The red varieties are planted in Quinta da Laje, Quinta dos Ferrões and Quinta Nova do Campo, protected by the mountain range, in a continental climate, with greater thermal amplitudes, hotter summers and earlier maturations. The result is rich, fruity and elegant reds, which share the minerality and freshness characteristics with white wines, from the predominantly clay-limestone soils.

Today, with 135 hectares of vineyards and about 2.5 million liters produced per year, the project headed by the hand of winemakers Anselmo Mendes (Mr. Alvarinho) and Diogo Lopes (recently awarded as the Winemaker of the Year) intends to assert itself as a family project, with a strong conviction that the wines must be the maximum expression of the region where they come from. The bet is made on the region typical varieties, such as Viosinho, Arinto and Vital as the whites and Castelão, Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca as reds, but also different international varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir, introduced in the different properties according to their ampelographic needs.

With a wide range of wines in their portfolio and a diverse range of services, from visits, tastings and events, Adega Mãe also has its Sal na Adega Restaurant. A unique space with a fantastic view to the vineyards, where traditional Mediterranean and Atlantic-inspired cuisine manifests itself in harmony with the wines and where cod, the greatest symbol of Portuguese gastronomy, assumes a decisive role at the table as the basis for diverse dishes and delicious snacks of our national gastronomy.