Portugal’s wine culture developed in relative isolation, there are many grape varieties that do not grow anywhere else in the world.
To many wine experts, Portugal is the last frontier of wine in Western Europe; there is still so much to be tasted and explored.
While the Alentejo region is best known for traditional varietals like Dona Maria, Aragonês (Tempranillo), Trincadeira, Castelão, Alfrocheiro and Alicante Bouschet, nationally and internationally applauded Viognier and Syrah are growing in popularity.
Wolf's Own Estate is committed to preserving the proud wine heritage of the region through the rehabilitating the Rabo de Lobo Vineyard, named after the rare red grape that used to grow here, and Verandas vineyard.
New beginnings
In 2018, Wolf's Own Estate started the journey to revive Rabo de Labo and Varandas to their former glory and establish them as ecologically sustainable vineyards that are centerpieces for eco-tourism in the Alentejo region. Our vineyards can be traced back to some of the foundations of wine growing in the Ervidel parish.
As part of our rehabiltiation efforts, we researched the soil and tops of our vineyards to find the perfect grape that match the cultural heritage.
In addition to the restoration of rare and native rabo de lobo vines, we also grow local grapes like Dona Maria, and non-traditional Portuguese varietals Grenache, Shiraz, and Mourvèdre.
As of January 2022, the Rabo de Lobo vineyard has been certified organic.
Ecologically sustainable vineyards
Rabo de Lobo
Named after the rare red grape originally grown here, Rabo de Lobo is being revived to its forming glory as we continue to preserve the proud heritage of the Alentego wine region.
The vine Rabo de Lobo is not very known, and we managed to preserve a few of the original vines. The grape variety gets its name from the way its grape bunches resembles the end of a wolf’s tail.
Rabo de Lobo Vineyard is the smallest of our vineyards producing six different varietals producing a mixture of red and white grapes across its modest 4 hectares.
Varandas
Our largest vineyard at 18.45 hectares, Varandas, will soon be home to our farmhouse restaurant overlooking the vineyard, olive grove and bordering Rabo de Lobo organic citris orchards.
Varandas is currently being restored to its former glory. The vineyard is planned on an ecological footprint to reduce the use of harmful pesticides and chemicals and to use natural methods of fertilisation. Over 17 hectares of the property is currently being rehabilitated.
As part of our commitment to preserving the proud wine culture of the Alentejo region, Varandas will be replanted with local varietals including Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez (cousin of Tempranillo), Mureto, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Trincadeira, as well as the internationally applauded French varietal, Viognier.
