Herdade do Peso sits in Vidigueira, in southern Alentejo in Portugal, a sun‑drenched region once better known for wheat fields and olive groves than collectible reds. Founded in 1997 by Fernando Guedes of the Sogrape family, the estate was created to prove that Alentejo could deliver serious, age‑worthy reds while staying fiercely connected to its landscape and traditions.
Today the property spans about 1,150 acres, with 365 acres under vine and 247 acres of ancient olive trees, including a single tree that’s seen more than 300 years of history. Under winemaker Luís Cabral de Almeida, the team looks at micro‑zoned plots, cool nights, and a mix of oak barrels, clay amphoras, stainless steel, and concrete to let each parcel speak in its own accent.
The style: modern, soulful Alentejo
Herdade do Peso’s reds aren’t shy, but they trade heaviness for lift, freshness, and detail. Minimal‑intervention in the cellar and close collaboration with viticulture keep the focus on purity of fruit, spice, and that savory edge.
2021 Revelado Red: the dinner‑party extrovert
2021 Revelado Red is the bottle you open when friends are walking in the door and you need something that can handle both the cheese board and the main event. Aromatically, it leans into vibrant notes of gooseberries, black plums, and warm nutmeg, wrapped around fresh, full‑bodied fruit and integrated tannins that feel polished.
Aged 12 months in French oak, it has enough structure to stand up to braised short ribs, lamb, or herb‑crusted pork, and the freshness and spice also play beautifully with holiday stuffing and charcuterie. At a suggested price of around , it’s in that sweet spot: impressive enough for a host gift, guilt‑free enough to pour generously for a crowd.
2019 Parcelas Red: the collector’s plot
Parcelas Red 2019 is crafted from two special vineyard plots, it’s deep, complex, and lifted. Twelve months in large French oak casks frame the fruit without smothering it, letting the texture stretch long across the palate with freshness and fine tannin rather than sheer weight.
This is the bottle for the serious wine friend, the boss who actually knows the difference between regions, or the holiday table where you decant something “just because it’s Tuesday in December.” With a suggested price around , Parcelas belongs in the gift‑worthy, keep‑a‑few‑for‑your‑cellar tier.
Why Herdade do Peso belongs on your holiday list
What makes these wines compelling isn’t just the story of a modern Alentejo estate backed by a global, family-run company; it’s how clearly that story shows up in the glass. The micro‑zoned vineyards, mixed aging vessels, and minimal‑intervention mindset translate into reds that feel both generous and finely tuned.
