Algarve Views has a simple goal: to showcase the best the region has to offer by bringing together wine, food, nature, and culture
To combat seasonality in the region, Algarve Views is the brainchild of visionary Andreia Ferreira, who worked at Lagoa’s Wine Cooperative. She witnessed the gradual growth of wine production in the region, at a time when there were few wineries here. With a degree in Marketing and a post-graduation in Wine Business, she recalls that, in those years, wine tourism was not a well-known concept, at least in the Algarve.
“Wine tourism is available year-round, and I noticed that many vineyard owners were beginning to show interest in producing their own wine. That is when I realised this market was an opportunity,” says Andreia, who brought Algarve Views to life in 2017.
A tourism company focusing mainly on winemaking, Algarve Views wants to showcase the region’s wineries from west to east, but it does not stop there. Besides the wine-tasting tours and visits to the producers, the company also enhances these experiences with different activities to suit all tastes, from boat trips and visits to the Silves Museum and art galleries to nature walks. Although daily tours have a set itinerary, you may opt for a personalised event, with a choice of 13 wineries, 11 restaurants, and eight tours. Families with underage children can request babysitting services.
Available Monday to Friday, the set tours cost €130 per person, and they are all different, sharing a common motto: “Unique activities that show the potential of each venue and the best they have to offer,” says Andreia.
To start off the week, the experience starts with a tour of Quinta da Vinha, a 14-hectare estate which has been operating since 1977 in Silves and where the famous Cabrita wines are produced. The tour ends with a tasting of their finest wines alongside tapas, in a room with a privileged view towards the vines.
Quinta da Vinha
Next is a walk along the Algarve coast, stopping at Praia da Marinha, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Lunch is later served at Morgado do Quintão, in Lagoa, where visitors are invited to discover the grape varieties used by this winery whose history dates back over 200 years.
Quinta dos Santos
Tuesday’s itinerary takes guests on a journey through the Adega Cooperativa do Algarve, in Lagoa, one of the oldest and largest wine cooperatives in the country, stopping off at the old Afonso III cellars, which will be home to the future Wine Museum, and there is also a wine tasting. The second part of the tour includes a visit to the Lady in Red art gallery, located within the historic winery, where visitors can discover the works of several artists. The next stop is Quinta dos Santos, a family enterprise in Estômbar that produces both wine and artisanal beers. The morning programme ends with a lunch prepared by chef Miguel Lima with seasonal ingredients paired with drinks produced in-house.
On Wednesday, the tour begins with a visit to Quinta da Tôr, in Loulé, where a wine tasting allows guests to enjoy four of their seven grape varieties grown through balanced ripening: Touriga Nacional, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Aragonez, Arinto, Síria, and Chardonnay. After lunch at a traditional restaurant, the afternoon includes a visit and tasting at Adega do Cantor, in Albufeira, a creation of British singer Sir Cliff Richard.
Adega do Cantor
Thursday will be spent in Silves, with a tour of the Castle and the Museum, followed by a visit to the winery and cellar at Quinta do Francês, where you can taste the wines produced at this eight-hectare estate. After lunch at Ponte Romana restaurant, it is time to discover the region’s first organic wine producer, Quinta Rosa, and taste their organic and clay-aged wines.
Quinta dos Vales
Closing the week, Friday starts bright and early with a 3km cliff walk along the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, in Lagoa, between Praia da Marinha and Praia de Benagil. Also in the morning, Quinta dos Vales, in Estômbar, hosts guests for a visit and tasting of four wines, with a privileged view of the large sculptures in the winery’s gardens. Visitors will also have the opportunity to learn professional wine-tasting techniques. Lunch and the tour end at Quinta dos Santos.
Quinta do Francês
For 2022, Algarve Views will organise exclusive tours with partnering hotel chains (Vila Vita Parc, Epic Sana Algarve, and The Lake Spa Resort). Clients will also have the chance to be winemakers for a day at Quinta dos Vales with The Winemaker Experience, to discover, by boat, Arvad Wines on the banks of the Arade River, and to take a trip to Sagres. Another new addition to the programme is the yacht trips with white or rosé wine tastings, whilst enjoying the sunset or until dawn. Prices for the latter start at €890 for 4 people. The bespoke packages, where clients choose the activities they want, vary in price, starting at €130.
Aside from all this, Algarve Views also organises private events, represents Algarve wine producers at national events, and is currently preparing to open its first shop at Silves Market as soon as it reopens following renovations.
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