Located between Sintra mountain and the Atlantic Ocean, Colares region encloses the parishes of Colares, S. João das Lampas and S. Martinho, in Sintra district.
Colares has been a Demarcated Region since 1908, being the westernmost demarcated region of continental Europe and the smallest still-wine producing region in Portugal.
Vines are grown in sandy soil similar to beach sand. Due to the closeness of the sea, the climate is very specific, with agreeable temperatures, strong sea winds, and a high percentage of air moisture. Plants must be shielded from sea winds, which is accomplished through hand-made palisades of dried canes sewn with wicker.
The resulting landscape looks extraordinary; some authors compare it to a honeycomb.
For the planting of these vineyards, in the first step all the sand must be removed, down to the clay layer, where the plant material (rods) is set For the next 3 to 4 years, the sand is gradually put back, together with manure applications, till the vineyard is settled in level ground and ready for production.
These plants are living monuments, some of them more than 100 years old Traditional, the vines have one or more arms of old wood spread on the ground The arms hold the rods, sometimes more than 10 per vine. Just before ripening, the vines are propped up away from the sand, using 50 an-long pieces of cane. At this stage, grape clusters are often covered with dried weeds from the vineyard itself, to prevent sunburns.
Properties are generally small and bound by loose stone walls, stones being brought from vineyards planted in non-sandy soils, known locally as "hard soil”.
This is a wholly hand-made viticulture seen at its best during the ripening period, that is, between mid- August and mid-September.
Guided visits to the sandy soil vineyards available, pre-booked with the producers of the Colares DOC wine
- Beira Mar Wine Cellar
- Colares Regional Wine Cellar
- Viúva Gomes Wine Cellar
- Casal de Santa Maria
- Haja Cortezia Wines
- Ramilo Wines
