Casa Relvas Winery

The Story of Casa Relvas

Casa Relvas is a testament to a family's dedication to winemaking, rooted in five generations of agricultural heritage across two continents. The journey began in 1997 when Alexandre Relvas recognized the striking resemblance of the “Herdade de São Miguel” in São Miguel de Machede – Redondo to his African roots. His love for the Alentejo region and its unique natural beauty inspired the start of this family project. It was in the vineyard, a tradition that spans over 2000 years in this area, that he found his true passion.

The Winery's Evolution

The winery's story took off in 2001 with the planting of the first 10 hectares of vines at “Herdade de São Miguel.” The following year, viticulture and enology consultant Nuno Franco joined the team, leading to the planting of an additional 25 hectares. In 2003, the winery was established, capable of processing 500 tons of grapes. The highlight came in 2004 when the first 26,000 bottles of red wine were released. In a short time, production surged from 500,000 to 1 million bottles, with more vineyards acquired to meet growing demand.

The Alentejo Terroir

The initial vineyard, 'Herdade de São Miguel,' is located in Redondo, featuring 35 hectares of clay and schist soils surrounded by Montado forest. The Alentejo sun harmonizes perfectly with the soil, yielding robust and vibrant grapes while maintaining freshness. Key grape varieties planted here include Alicante Bouschet, Trincadeira, Aragonez, and Touriga Nacional. The second vineyard, 'Herdade da Pimenta,' spans 150 hectares in the Évora plains, bordering São Miguel de Machede. Acquired by the Relvas family in 2001, it features predominantly granitic soils. In 2002, 60 hectares of vines were planted, complemented by 90 hectares of forest. The main red varieties are Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional, and Touriga Franca, while the whites include Arinto, Viognier, and Antão Vaz.