“Twenty years ago, nobody would have imagined the qualitative leap the region would make. We went from a discredited image, associated with poor-quality wines, to a [wine] region that, despite being the second smallest in the country, shows great success,” summarised Pedro Valadas Monteiro.

The vice-president of the Algarve Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR) points out that the limited quantity of production continues to be an obstacle to “reaching certain channels, such as exports, which require scale,” even more so when the neighbouring Alentejo region has a huge wine production.

“In tourism, there are business models with purchasing centres in other areas of the country, which work with large volumes and undifferentiated products,” he said, emphasizing that, despite being the second smallest region in terms of production, the Algarve has “been freeing itself from its old negative image.”

“Significant” growth

According to Sara Silva, president of the Algarve Wine Commission (CVA), the growth in the number of producers has been significant: in 2017, there were about 30 producers; currently, the Algarve has 60, with average vineyard areas of four hectares, although there are larger producers.

“There is a very strong focus on quality. We may have greater production potential, but the region's positioning is that of ‘premium’ wines. This involves selection in the production process and in the choice of vineyards, which naturally reduces productivity,” she acknowledges, stressing that since 201,7, between four and five new producers have emerged each year.

According to Sara Silva, in addition to producers expanding their vineyard areas, new investors have emerged, some in less traditional areas, such as Vilamoura, neighbouring areas of Aljezur, or even Vila do Bispo, on the west coast of the Faro district.

However, it is important not to forget that production depends on nature and that wine is not a standardized product: “There are more productive years and less so. In 2024, we reached a record of two million litres. This year it will be lower, about 15% less,” she calculated.

“The important thing is that the 60 producers are active, have vineyards producing and put wine on the market. Fifteen years ago, the reality was different: we might have 25 producers, but some of them didn't have active wines on the market. Today, the numbers reflect real production and the effective dynamics of the sector,” observed the president of the CVA.

“Excellent quality”

The mayor of Lagoa, where the first Algarve wine producers' cooperative was created in the 1940s, also highlighted the "excellent quality" of Algarve wines, noting that they have been very well positioned in wine competitions in Portugal and Europe.

"I have attended blind tastings where they are very well positioned, winning silver and gold medals. When you taste wine blindly, the stigma disappears. Our wines are high quality and are well placed among the best in Portugal," says Luís Encarnação.

According to the mayor, while a few years ago it was very difficult to find Algarve wines on the menus of restaurants and hotels in the region, this scenario has changed, and even in large supermarkets, it is easy to find references to the region, and there are even specific spaces dedicated to Algarve wines.

This collaboration between entities in the sector in the region has led to uniting wine tasting with gastronomy and tourism, as exemplified by the "Between Dishes and Wines" event, whose third edition takes place until the end of the month in about 20 participating establishments. The event, organized by CVA and which, for the second year, includes the "Stay" section, promoting accommodations with wine-related experiences, contributes to boosting the restaurant and hotel industry during the off-season, presenting exclusive menus pairing dishes with certified wines from the region.

The Algarve Wine Commission is the entity responsible for the certification and promotion of wines with the geographical indication "Algarve" and the designations of origin Lagos, Portimão, Lagoa and Tavira.