Monte da Ravasqueira is a different Alentejo – surprising from the landscape to the wines!

Those who travel to Monte da Ravasqueira expecting to find the romantic Alentejo of traditional golden fields dotted by cork trees will be surprised – pleasantly surprised!

The estate is in Arraiolos, by the sierra, and the grapevines are planted at 885ft, having the wind and morning haze for company. The wine is born in a valley protected by the forest and two water dams, a humid environment at times very hot, which makes it so fresh and fragrant.

But, if we do feel the green and minerals in Monte da Ravasqueira, we can also tell the warm and intense notes from leather and horse hair. That is because, even before winemaking came into the picture, rigs were a family tradition. In fact, one of the attractions is the amazing private collection – one of the biggest in Europe, with 37 originals!

Said collection, now a museum, was started in 1943 by the first owner of the property, José de Mello.

José de Mello is the grandfather of the generation currently managing nearly 7.5 thousand acres, 111 of vineyard, and their first wine came out in 2000.

Monte da Ravasqueira boasts 20 trademarks, each and every one of them a testimony to the fresh and mineral attributes of the site. I got to try five of them at the shop. MR Premium (red and rosé) stood out for their elegance and character.

They show a different Alentejo and carry a special meaning to the Mello family since grandfather José is pictured on the label driving one of his rigs.

Also the red “vinha das Romãs”. Not only in my visit but at the national level! It has been a much appreciated and prized wine.

When I tasted it, I realized why ….. this beautiful wine – produced with Syrah and Touriga Franca – has an intense red colour, dark fruit and spices flavour. It grows in your glass and totally fills your soul!

Besides the traditional harvest activities, Monte da Ravasqueira also plans wine tastings, meetings in their conference rooms and picnics by the vineyard.

Don’t forget to include Monte da Ravasqueira in your Alentejo itinerary. Awards don’t come by chance!