On April 24, 1955, the Alentejo was the stage for the first meeting of a group of winegrowers who had the intention of founding the first Adega Cooperativa in the region. It was on April 30, 1955 that the first Directorate of Adega Cooperativa took office in Borba.
After a time when only the great value of regional grape varieties and the excellence of natural conditions allowed the production of wine in Alentejo to continue, we reached the eighties, when the entire potential of the region for wine production was evaluated and confirmed by the Consumer.
Six decades later, Adega de Borba produces 1.2 million boxes of 9 liters, being one of the largest producers in its sector. Our wines come from 2,300 hectares of vineyards, distributed by 70% red and 30% white varieties.
These 65 years of existence allow us to take stock, we are facing a winery that, with all its dimension and dynamism, invested in human capital, with specialized technical training, and equipped itself with the most modern technology, ahead of the country . The increase in quality was soon recognized, creating greater demand from consumers. As a result of the commitment and continued work – technicians, salespeople, managers, employees and about 270 wine growers – Adega de Borba has always been a reference, in the region and in the country.
We assume a great responsibility in the economic and social dynamism of this region, since wine is the big business in the Borba region. As already mentioned, we have 270 partners, representing 270 families, these same partners use the region’s labor for annual field work. Adega’s staff includes 70 employees and their families who depend on these jobs. Whenever possible, we also use suppliers in our region.
The last 10 years were also of great investment, the biggest occurred in 2012 with the conclusion of the construction of a new cellar. There are 14 hectares of land that include two hubs: a center for red wine winemaking and a warehouse for finished products.
There has also been a continuous investment at various levels of the production process, which guarantees the quality and multiplicity of its products. The investment in cutting edge equipment, the case of the mills, the rotating maceration tanks and the new computer programs, and the bet on a productive process of strict quality control, from vine to bottle. In this way, production of constant quality is possible, not only in wines of large volumes, but also in collections of limited quantities, with very unique profiles. In 2014, we invested in the latest and most innovative equipment for the creation of top-of-the-range wines: a selection table for grapes with a choice of optical technology, the winemaking of small batches and an increase in the space for wine aging in vats.
The environmental concern has merited our special attention, which has made us pioneers in the sustainability program of the Viticultural Commission of Alentejo. The reduction of water, energy and waste consumption, as well as the protection of biodiversity, has deserved our special attention. In 2019 we made a very significant investment in photovoltaic panels, which allows us to secure our own energy for much of the year.
Adega de Borba’s most recent initiative in expanding and developing its project was the opening of the Adega de Borba Restaurant in February 2019. This opening follows our strong commitment to wine tourism and enogastronomy. The restaurant is located on the premises of the Adega, in Borba, where house wines and the flavors of traditional Alentejo cuisine come together in a sample of the best of the region’s history and culture. It is a comfortable space that combines a current decor with more rustic details, such as the use of wood.
Within its Brands, the Adega de Borba DOC stands out, one of the best selling wines in Portugal in its segment, the iconic Adega de Borba Reserva “Rótulo de Cortiça”, a brand with more than 50 years that has established itself as one of Alentejo references, the historic Montes Claros, which dates back to 1945 and one of the first to distinguish itself for its singular quality in Portugal, the Convento da Vila which has been widely recognized for its excellent price / quality ratio, the range of monovarietals under the name Senses, and Quintas de Borba, a tribute to the small traditional farms in the Borba region.
The quality of Adega de Borba wines is certified by consumers from all over the world, as well as from the largest national and international competitions, where they have been widely distinguished and medaled.
Dynamism, innovation and consistency are synonyms that describe the work that has been developed in recent years by Adega de Borba, the first in a series of cooperative wineries set up in Alentejo, and a major driver of vine culture and the value of regional grape varieties.
It is common ground that you can only be more competitive when you gain scale and bet on differentiating and quality products. We all win when we join forces and value what is ours and what makes us unique and special. To maintain this success, we must continue to work, for the wealth of this region and for Portugal!