Adega-Museu Cella Vinaria Antiqua

Adega-Museu Cella Vinaria Antiqua is a restored 16th-century wine cellar in Vila de Frades, dedicated to preserving the ancient ‘Vinho de Talha’ tradition. Visitors can explore the history and techniques of this unique winemaking process.

Planning your visit

Vinho de talha is winemaking in clay amphorae, and it has continued unbroken in the Alentejo since the Romans introduced it two thousand years ago — grapes are fermented whole in large earthenware vessels sealed with olive oil, left on their skins, and drawn straight from a tap at the base.

Cella Vinaria Antiqua at Vila de Frades occupies a restored sixteenth-century cellar and preserves the practice: the talhas themselves, some very large and centuries old, the tools, and the ritual of the eleventh of November, St Martin's day, when the wine is traditionally first tapped.

The technique nearly disappeared under industrial winemaking and has been revived as international interest in amphora and natural wines has grown — Georgian qvevri wine has drawn similar attention.

Tastings are integral and the wines are genuinely unusual: textured, slightly oxidative, unlike modern Alentejo reds.

Bookable options are guided cellar and museum tours. Current availability is shown below.