Adega de Redondo / History

66 YEARS
OF GREAT WINES

Adega Cooperativa de Redondo is a case of rare success in the national wine scene, with a global production of 9 to 12 million liters of wine per year.

Our History

The Alentejo has been a land of wine for millennia. Throughout the region, there are many historical traces that link the ancient inhabitants of these lands to the three main pillars of the Mediterranean diet: wine, olive oil, and bread. The cultivation of vines was one of the main links between communities, where the sense of mutual help and the goal of the common good were always present. It is therefore not surprising that the first Portuguese social winery, the embryo of the cooperative movement, was born in Viana do Alentejo at the end of the 19th century.

In the 1940s, vineyards in the Alentejo were weakened by a succession of pests (phylloxera, mildew, oidium) and by the government's determination to implement cereal monoculture in the region. In the 1950s, the cooperative wineries emerged as a way of preserving and boosting the vine and wine, through the combined efforts of the producers. Founded in 1956 by 14 wine growers, Adega Cooperativa de Redondo was one of the first to be established, and played a decisive role in the rebirth and subsequent development of Alentejo wine from the outset, particularly from the 1980s onwards. Nowadays, Adega de Redondo brings together around 200 producers, representing more than 75% of the viticulture of the sub-region of Redondo, and is one of the largest and most dynamic cooperative wineries in Portugal.

Who’s Adega de Redondo?

Adega Cooperativa de Redondo is well known in Portugal and the world, especially through the brand Porta da Ravessa, a name that has become a true ambassador for the quality and authenticity of Alentejo wines.

But in addition to this flagship brand, Adega de Redondo produces a diverse range of other brands, with special emphasis on, the also emblematic, Real Lavrador. The diversity of brands for different market segments, characterizes the presence of Adega de Redondo in the market, where brands such as AR, Anta da Serra, Maré Viva, Latitude, Longitude, Albarrada, and Castelo de Alandroal also stand out, all of them consistently obtaining, year after year, numerous distinctions in national and international competitions.

In an average year, Adega de Redondo produces approximately ten million liters of wine, 75% of which is red. Modern and well-equipped winemaking and bottling facilities make it possible to make the most of the quality of the grapes received, under the supervision of winemaking director Mariana Cavaca.

As the Portuguese market is the main destination for the wines produced at Adega de Redondo, in a vision of the future, and from a strategic point of view, the goal is to significantly strengthen our presence in the four corners of the world. In addition to the countries where we have consolidated operations such as Brazil, USA, France, Switzerland, Luxembourg, United Kingdom, Russia, and Portuguese-speaking African countries, in recent years Adega de Redondo has made an effort to strengthen its position in reference markets (Canada, Nordic Countries, Germany, Netherlands, and China), and is always on the lookout for new markets that are emerging.

Alentejo Wine Region
The secret of a good wine

Alentejo wine region is the largest in Portugal and is made up of eight sub-regions with distinct characteristics in terms of terrain relief, soil composition, or climate particularities: Portalegre, Borba, Redondo, Reguengos, Évora, Vidigueira, Moura, and Granja-Amareleja.

The sub-region of Redondo is influenced in a decisive way by the Serra d'Ossa, which rises to an altitude of 600 meters. Its relief protects the vines from the prevailing winds and provides a Mediterranean/continental climate marked by cold, dry winters and hot summers. The presence of Serra d'Ossa, to the north and east, is a determining factor in the quality of the grapes and wines produced at Adega de Redondo, allowing more balanced ripening to occur and, consequently, the production of very fresh and aromatic citrusy white wines, as well as very pleasant and smooth red wines to be drunk while young, but also the production of more structured and concentrated wines with good aging potential. The soils here are very varied, although granite and schist outcrops predominate.

Adega de Redondo is aware that quality begins in the vineyard and closely accompanies about two hundred producers, offering them technical assistance for the production of healthy grapes, harvested at the perfect point of ripeness.

The climate of the Redondo sub-region, with low humidity and many hours of sunshine, is not very susceptible to vine pests, making it particularly suitable for the development of sustainable viticulture, based on biodiversity and environmental protection. Adega de Redondo encourages these practices among its members, thus contributing to the production of more genuine and environmentally responsible wines, which is why Adega de Redondo joined the Alentejo Wines Sustainability Programme.

The wines from Adega de Redondo are made from traditional Alentejo grape varieties such as Trincadeira, Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet or Castelão and the white varieties Roupeiro, Fernão Pires, Antão Vaz, Rabo de Ovelha or Arinto. But it does not neglect innovation, encouraging the planting of varieties with high potential in this region, such as the red Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Syrah, and the white Verdelho, among others.

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ADEGA DE REDONDO
Welcome!

It is with great pleasure and pride that we present to you Adega Cooperativa de Redondo. Located at the heart of the Alentejo, in the south of Portugal, it is one of the oldest wineries in the Alentejo but has been modernizing over time and also adapting to the new and increasing demands of the market and consumers. Our history speaks for itself, and in 2021 we will celebrate our 65th anniversary. It is an important landmark in the company’s history with its legacy of producing some of the best wines on the market – such as Porta da Ravessa and Real Lavrador, among others – being passed from generation to generation, from parents to children.

Our history only became possible due to the effort and the belief of the Members who remained faithful, the resilience and dedication of the employees of the Cellar who were tireless, and the work of successive Administrations /Managements that did everything in their power to make this happen.

Our wines are exclusively produced with grapes from the vineyards belonging to about 200 producer Members, which allows strict quality control and full traceability from the vineyard to the consumer. With an average annual production that can vary between 9 and 12 million liters of wine, red wines are predominant, with three-quarters of our total production, the remainder being divided between whites and rosés.

Improving the quality of wines and food security are among our main priorities, with investments and work methodologies being directed to those targets. Proof of this is the fact that we obtained at the end of 2019 one of the most demanding food safety certification standards in the world: the FSSC 22000.

We are present in about 20 countries all over the world, but it is our goal to increase our presence and international recognition, without forgetting the national market. Our already long history is still being written.

We changed our corporate image, we changed our labeling, we changed our presence.

So feel free to visit the new Adega de Redondo and try our wines.

The Management of Adega Cooperativa de Redondo

Brand Vision & Values

Adega de Redondo’s vision for the future is structurally based on pillars that have been built over the years and which today are absolutely marked by the strategic turn and positioning of the business for the next generations.

1.KNOWLEDGE

The sum of information and experiences applied in practice through learning, understanding concepts, and continuous discovery of how to do things.

2.TRADITION

Everything has an origin. Tradition is based on the knowledge and customs that are passed down from generation to generation and provides us with a unique legacy, which in this case is the dedication to cultivating the land and vineyards. Tradition is the foundation, the basis of what is the life of each one of us, wrapped in bonds of trust, belonging, and unity.

3.BALANCE

It is the ability to maintain and consistently face the changes, challenges, and unexpected events that occur throughout life. This has been the stance of Adega de Redondo and its management over these six decades, which, with professionalism, rationality, and a sense of perseverance, has conquered its objectives.

The way is now clear for Adega de Redondo and its brands to continue building a solid and promising future.