Casa Relvas is a family run winery in the heart of Redondo, Alentejo. A hot, dry, inland region of Portugal that’s known for its vast plains, rolling hills and agricultural landscapes. With the three estates - Herdade de São Miguel, Herdade de São Miguel de Machede and Herdade da Pimenta - Casa Relvas have the capacity to produce a staggering amount of wine annually, with much of it exported out to over 30 countries worldwide. This doesn’t mean that the quality is any less but explains how they can produce wines that taste this great for the price.

Alentejo spans Portugal’s sun-baked south-east, a broad plateau of rolling plains dotted with cork oak (montado). The climate is decidedly Mediterranean–continental: hot, dry summers and cool, damp winters, with scant rainfall and abundant sunshine. Elevation and exposure bring vital nuance—cooler, wind-kissed Portalegre rises on the Serra de São Mamede, while Vidigueira benefits from a natural wind corridor that moderates heat; areas further south and east are markedly warmer. Atlantic breezes temper western edges, and big day–night swings help preserve acidity.

Soils are varied and generally poor, encouraging low vigour and flavour concentration: granite and schist dominate, alongside limestone, clay and sandy patches. This mosaic underpins the DOC Alentejo’s eight subregions (Portalegre, Borba, Redondo, Évora, Reguengos, Granja-Amareleja, Vidigueira and Moura).

Grape varieties are both traditional and international. Reds feature Aragonez (Tempranillo), Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet (a regional star), Touriga Nacional, Castelão and Syrah. Whites are led by Antão Vaz—aromatic and resilient to heat—joined by Arinto (for zest), Roupeiro (Síria) and Fernão Pires.

Stylistically, Alentejo is generous yet increasingly precise. Reds range from plush, dark-fruited and velvety to fresher, more structural styles from higher sites; oak is used judiciously. Whites span crisp, citrus-lined Arinto to fuller, stone- and tropical-fruited Antão Vaz, often with a subtly textural, mineral edge. The region also preserves ancient talha (amphora) winemaking, yielding fragrant, gently tannic whites and characterful reds. Modern viticulture, altitude and thoughtful blending now deliver wines that balance sun-ripened richness with refreshing lift.

Touriga Nacional is widely regarded as Portugal’s finest red grape variety, known for its deep colour, intense aromatics, and powerful structure. Indigenous to the Dão region, it is now most famously associated with the Douro Valley, where it plays a leading role in both Port and dry red wine production. The variety has also found success in other regions, including Alentejo, Bairrada, and even internationally in countries like South Africa and Australia.

Aromatically, Touriga Nacional offers a rich bouquet of dark fruits such as blackberry, blackcurrant, and plum, alongside floral notes of violet and rose. It often shows spicy, herbal undertones and, with age, can develop complex hints of liquorice, leather, and cedar. On the palate, it delivers bold tannins, vibrant acidity, and excellent ageing potential.

Despite its high quality, Touriga Nacional poses several viticultural challenges. It is naturally low yielding and has small, thick-skinned berries, which contribute to its concentration but can reduce productivity. The vine is also vigorous and requires careful canopy management to ensure balanced fruit ripening and optimal exposure.

Thanks to its resilience, depth, and distinctive character, Touriga Nacional remains a cornerstone of Portuguese winemaking and a benchmark for quality in both blended and varietal wines.

Tinta Roriz, known as Tempranillo in Spain, is a key red grape variety in Portugal, particularly in the Douro Valley and the Dão region. It plays a vital role in both Port wine and dry red blends, often alongside Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca. In Portugal, Tinta Roriz contributes structure, body, and ripeness, making it a versatile and valuable component in the country’s winemaking.

Aromatically, Tinta Roriz is known for its bold, ripe fruit character, typically showing notes of red cherry, plum, and blackberry, often layered with spice, tobacco, and earthy undertones. It brings good tannic structure and depth to blends, with moderate to high alcohol and balanced acidity, depending on site and ripeness.

Viticulturally, Tinta Roriz ripens early and is generally easy to cultivate, which contributes to its widespread planting. However, it is susceptible to disease, particularly powdery mildew, and can struggle in excessively hot or dry conditions, where acidity may drop and flavours can become jammy. Careful site selection and canopy management are important to maintain balance and freshness.

Tinta Roriz is a cornerstone of many high-quality Portuguese wines, offering structure and richness, and continues to be one of the most important bridge varieties between Iberian viticultural traditions.

Syrah, also known as Shiraz in Australia and parts of the New World, is one of the world’s most celebrated red grape varieties. Its origins trace back to the Rhône Valley in France, where it thrives in both the northern Rhône’s steep, granite slopes and the warmer southern regions. Syrah vines are hardy and adaptable, tolerating a range of soils, but they prefer well-drained sites with ample sunlight. The grape is naturally vigorous, with small, thick-skinned berries that produce deeply coloured wines rich in tannin and flavour.

Today, Syrah is planted widely across the globe. In France, it remains dominant in appellations such as Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, and Crozes-Hermitage. In Australia, Shiraz is the country’s flagship variety, producing styles from bold, ripe Barossa bottlings to elegant, cool-climate Yarra Valley expressions. Significant plantings also exist in South Africa, the United States (notably California and Washington State), Chile, and Argentina.

The style of Syrah/Shiraz varies with climate and winemaking approach. Cool-climate examples offer notes of black pepper, violets, and fresh blackberry, with firm acidity and structure. Warmer regions produce richer, fuller wines with flavours of ripe plum, black cherry, chocolate, and spice. Across styles, Syrah is prized for its depth, versatility, and ability to age gracefully.