In the heart of the Parque Natural da Arrábida (Arrábida Park) is a charming little winery.
Quinta de Alcube‘s production is so small they don’t even have a local distributor. Any restaurant or store that wants to sell their wine has to drive to the winery and pick it up themselves. So, if you visit Alcube and sit outside to enjoy a glass of wine, you’ll likely see several cars driving up and filling their trunks with wine. These are probably shopkeepers and restauranteurs stocking up!
Because of the rather remote location, it is best to visit the winery by car or rideshare. The bus is an inconvenient option as you’re dropped a ways from the winery. Intrepid travelers can walk to Alcube from the center of Azeitão. It’s about an hour hike (approx. 3 miles) to the winery, at which point you’ll have earned a glass or two. Just be careful, cuz now you gotta walk back!
Tours are available, but some folks have reported difficulty booking an appointment, not a surprise because of the small size of the operation. However, the tour is worth your time as there are some incredible artifacts inside.
Apparently when they were planting the vineyard they kept digging up ancient objects. The relics range from tools used to work the land from 7,000 years ago to azulejo tiles that are hundreds of years old. But, I think the most amazing piece of antiquity is a Roman clay cask used to age and store wine. Dating from 2,000 years ago, it’s incredible that the vessel is still fully intact.
Roman clay wine cask from 2,000 years ago at Quinta de Alcube museum (photo: Brent Petersen) 
Azulejo tiles in the Quinta de Alcube museum (photo: Brent Petersen) 
Tools and other artifacts from 7,000 years ago at the Quinta de Alcube museum (photo: Brent Petersen) 
Bottling at Quinta de Alcube (I told you it was a small operation) Photo: Brent Petersen
The family who owns and operates Alcube live on the property in a 15th century house that also has a 2,000 year old Roman bath! The family’s house isn’t open to the public.
If you don’t take the tour, you can just show up at the winery and buy a bottle (some are under 3€) and snacks like a cheese board. Sit outside at the picnic tables and take in the bucolic scenery. Nearby, there’s also a small area with some farm animals like donkeys and an ostrich.
About the Author
Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination Eat Drink. He currently resides in Setubal, Portugal. Brent has written the novel “Truffle Hunt” (Eckhartz Press) and the short story collection “That Bird.” He’s also written dozens of foodie travel guides to cities around the world on Destination Eat Drink, including in-depth eating and drinking guides to Lisbon, Porto, Sintra, Monsaraz, and Evora in Portugal. Brent’s podcast, also called Destination Eat Drink, is available on all major podcasting platforms and is distributed by the Radio Misfits Podcast Network.
