Setúbal Wine Region

The reputable sub-region of Setúbal has an array of wines known throughout the world for their high quality and class. As you embark on your travels through the wine region of the Setubal Peninsula, we hope you will enjoy discovering these classic wines.

Setúbal’s quintessential style is set apart from the rest due to its soil types, the selection of grape varieties grown, and the specific production methods of winemakers in the area. These elements lend to a style of wine found nowhere else in Portugal, or the world for that matter.

We hope you will enjoy discovering the classic wines that make Setúbal a favorite for wine drinkers worldwide. Tour our site to discover what Wineries in Setúbal have to offer and book a wine experience with us today. Find out more about Wine Tasting and Tours in Setúbal.

Where is the Setubal Wine Region?

Setubal is a protected designation of origin for the Setubal Peninsula in south of Portugal. The DOC is named after Setúbal, a port town just south of Lisbon, on the northern shores of the Sado river.

Unique Terroir of Setúbal  Appellation

This region's landscape, climate, and, as a result, terroir are extremely diverse, ranging from the clay-limestone hills of the Serra da Arrabida to the hot sandy plains of the Sado River near Palmela. This naturally has an impact on the harvest, the varieties suitable for such diverse lands, and the resulting wine styles.

The climate is distinctly Mediterranean, with warm, dry summers and concentrated rainfall during the cool winter months. The Atlantic Ocean's proximity creates high humidity levels, but it also delivers prevailing air currents that keep vineyard canopies dry and inhospitable to mildew diseases.

The Setúbal wine region is mostly flat land with sandy soils and long rows of vineyards. On clay limestone soils, vineyards were cultivated in the region's highest point, which is along the Arrabida mountain range.

History of Setúbal Wine Region

The Setubal wine region is thought to be the birthplace of the first vine on the Iberian Peninsula, planted around 4,000 years ago by the Tartessans (the ancient civilization of modern Andalusia). Around 1000 BC, the Phoenicians founded Setubal, and he is credited with establishing a local wine industry that traded wines with other lands.

The Setubal wine region is thought to be the birthplace of the first vine on the Iberian Peninsula, planted around 4,000 years ago by the Tartessans (the ancient civilization of modern Andalusia). Around 1000 BC, the Phoenicians founded Setubal, and he is credited with establishing a local wine industry that traded wines with other lands.

The designation DOC Setubal was established in 1907 and is reserved exclusively for Moscatel wines, which account for slightly more than 10% of total production in the region. This grape grows near the Palmela Castle on the lower slopes of the Arrabida hills.

What is Setubal Wine?

The famous Musket de Setubal is a sweet, rich amber or golden-white wine. It is produced on the Setubal peninsula, in the Sierra d'arrabida, south of Lisbon from the Muscat of Alexandria variety. It is usually drunk as an apéritif.

During fermentation, winemakers strengthen the wine – that is, add grape alcohol to stop fermentation. At this stage, there is still residual sugar in the wine, because the yeast dies due to the high alcohol content in the alcohol, which makes the wine sweet. Aged in barrels for at least 18 months. The result is a golden color, from pure topaz to amber, an exotic floral fragrance, insinuating orange and lime flowers. Sometimes a rose, with hints of honey, citrus, pears, and dates in new wines and more complex and subtle aromas with notes of nuts, such as hazelnuts, almonds and walnuts, in older ones. This dessert wine lives for 20 years and 80 years.

There are also dry wines here.  The vast majority of dry red wines in this region are produced from the Castelão variety (known as Periquita). Other varieties: Aragonez, Touriga Nacional, Moscatel Roxo, Tinta Amarela, Alicante Bouschet, Bastardo and international Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Dry whites from Setúbal besides Muscat Alexandrian are produced from Arinto, Fernão Pires, Malvasia Fina, Roupeiro, Antão Vaz, Esgana Cão and international Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Food to Pair With Setubal Wine

Queijo de Évora - Traditional cheese that complements local wine

This sheep cheese is part of the traditional cheese heritage of Alentejo. Cheese has long been an important part of the peasant families' lives in the region. Cheese was such a significant part of the daily diet, especially for the lower classes, that it was even used to pay wages. Évora cheese is made from raw milk from Merino sheep that graze freely in the region's pastures.

Raw milk is filtered through cloths, heavily salted, and heated over a wood fire. The cheese is left to mature for a month after the curd has formed. The crust of Évora cheese is well-formed, smooth, and yellow. When the cheese is aged longer, the flavor, which is initially mildly sour and spicy, becomes more pronounced. It is traditionally served as an appetizer or snack with homemade bread and a glass of wine.

Pastel de Nata—Dessert created by Lisbon monks

Pastel de nata is a traditional Portuguese egg custard tart that is well-known worldwide. It is believed that for the best results, the filling should not be overly sweet and should not contain lemon or vanilla flavors. Instead, the tarts should be topped with cinnamon and served with a cup of coffee. Prior to the eighteenth century, Catholic nuns and monks in Lisbon's Santa Maria de Belém made this delicacy. The tart was made using egg yolks that were left over after being used to clear wines and starch clothing. Later, the priests struck a deal with a nearby bakery to begin selling pastel de nata commercially, and the item was a huge success.

Farinha Torrada - The traditional dessert of Setubal

Farinha Torrada translates to ”toasted flour.” This traditional Setubal wine region dessert has a long and interesting history. The treat arose from the need to create a delicious dessert that would last a long time and be nutritious enough for fishermen to take with them to sea. Farinha Torrada is a Portuguese dessert made of eggs, sugar, and flour. These ingredients are mixed together to make a dough that can be flavored with cinnamon, lemon, or chocolate. Once cooked, Farinha Torrada is typically served in a square shape. This regional delicacy is so important to the Setubal region that it has been registered by the city council.

Places to visit in Setubal 

Setubal - city of incredible Portuguese beauty

The city of Setubal is a busy port and a center of commercial fishing. Setubal is located 40 kilometers from Lisbon on the banks of the Sado River. Setubal was historically the most important fishing center in Portugal. Today, however, most of the fishing centers and factories have closed, and Setubal has become a tourist destination. Visitors come to Setubal to take in the breathtaking natural scenery. The natural park "Hills of Arrabida" is one of Setubala's most popular attractions. This park provides visitors with access to some of the best beaches on the Atlantic Ocean as well as pristine nature.

Estuario de Sado Nature Reserve

Sado Nature Reserve (Reserva Natural do Estuario de Sado) is a conservation area that protects the Sado Estuary. This nature reserve is made up of a network of wetlands that stretches east and south of Setubal. Reserva Natural do Estuario de Sado is ideal for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. The reserve is home to over 250 different bird species. The Reserva Natural do Estuario de Sado has short hiking trails to explore the wetlands for those who want to spend a day in nature.

Paisagem Protegida da Arriba Fóssil da Costa de Caparica

Paisagem Protegida da Arriba Fóssil da Costa de Caparica is a natural reserve on the Costa de Caparica. This area is protected since it contains Arriba fossils. The fossils were discovered in sedimentary rocks dating back 10 million years. Paisagem Protegida da Arriba Fóssil da Costa de Caparica is a popular tourist destination where visitors can walk along designated trails and look for fossils in the rocks. The fossil park is best visited at dusk, when the sun casts a golden glow on the impressive rock formations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Setubal