Set in a landscape of ancient holm oaks, wild-flower meadows, olive groves and vineyards, São Lourenço do Barrocal began life over two hundred years ago as a fully working farm estate in Portugal’s Alentejo region. Remaining the country’s most iconic agricultural territory, the restored farmstead hotel, winery and spa is located on this historic family estate.
São Lourenço do Barrocal’s thriving winery is at the heart of the estate’s regeneration, with 15 hectares of vineyards producing first-class single-estate wines under the regional Denominação de Origem Controlada, or DOC Alentejo. New for this season, the property has developed two wine workshops. Aimed at both novices and oenophiles alike, these workshops will explore the oenological history of the estate and share secrets on art of wine blending. Leaving guests with a deeper understanding of how the region is so instrumental to the characteristics of its wine.
Barrocal’s thriving winery is at the heart of the estate’s regeneration and showcases the team’s impressive dedication to celebrating cultural heritage and upholding time honored traditions.
For the novice
Commencing with a tour of the oak barrel-lined winery and traditional concrete vats which allow a total capacity of 80.000 litres, the experience will lead into a tasting of five separate wines. This will be comprised of a sparkling wine, in which guests will begin to understand the variety of bubbles, aromas and persistence; two heterogenous white wines with differentiation to why it is served in a Reisling or Chardonnay glass; one red reserve and the art of decanting; and a port wine and what its fortification entails.
For the oenophile
After a winding tour through the agricultural and historical context of the estate, guests will be offered a wine tasting directly from the oak barrel. This will be followed with the tasting of two more grape varieties, alongside an expert to guide guest’s questioning of the origin, base aromatic profile, longevity of bottle, intensity of tannins and the influence versus absence of the ageing barrel. Whether the guest’s preference is a higher percentage of unoaked Syrah, Touriga Nacional or Alicante Bouschet, the experience will be followed by a final blend made from the guest’s the ideal quantity, bottled, and personally labeled. Either enjoyed in shade of the estate’s holm oak trees alongside a picnic or taken home as a personal souvenir.
To book: Rates for the Wine Initiation Workshop start from €100 per person and rates for the Wine Blending Workshop are €150 per person. Accommodation is booked separately and begins from €410 on a B&B basis.
