
Herdade do Peso
The SommPills Cellar
1 wine on the Herdade do Peso shelf, chosen one at a time.

1 wines on the shelf
Herdade do Peso has spent nearly thirty years building a reputation for serious red wines in Vidígueira, the cooler subregion of Portugal's Alentejo. The estate's winemaker, Luís Cabral de Almeida, was named 'Winemaker of the Year' in 2024 by Revista de Vinhos—a recognition that reflects his commitment to letting the vineyard express itself. His wines are ripe and generous, yet balanced by the acidity that Vidígueira's climate naturally provides. If you want to understand modern Portuguese winemaking at its most thoughtful, this producer rewards serious attention.
Stretching across the Alentejo landscape, this property encompasses 457 hectares where vineyards—160 of them—sit nestled among ancient olive groves whose roots date to Roman times and gentle terrain rolls softly across the holdings. Sogrape acquired the property in 1997 and has invested heavily in both the land and its future. The winery itself is new—an eco-friendly facility completed in 2022—while the vineyards are fed by a 20-hectare on-site reservoir that captures rainwater for drip irrigation. Wildlife corridors of indigenous cork and holm oak have been planted across the estate, embedding conservation into the working landscape.
Luís Cabral de Almeida's philosophy is straightforward: his job is to interpret nature. To do that properly, he has mapped all 12 soil types across Herdade do Peso's vineyard parcels, assigning specific grape varieties to the parcels where each performs optimally. This precision shapes every bottle. The Alentejo region is traditionally known for white wines, yet Herdade do Peso has carved out a distinct identity as a red wine producer. The vineyard's mix of Aragonez, Touriga Nacional, Syrah, Alicante Bouschet and other varieties thrive in Vidígueira's warm but temperate conditions, ripening fully while retaining the freshness that keeps the wines feeling alive rather than heavy.
Sustainability is woven into estate management—from organic-style vineyard practices to the construction of the new winery designed to minimise environmental impact. This is a producer that thinks long-term, treating the land as something to be stewarded rather than simply farmed.
The range spans multiple tiers, each worth exploring. This is a serious wine for collectors and those seeking depth and structure.
The Sossego line—meaning tranquillity—is the everyday collection. The 2024 Sossego Tinto (87 pts, Syrah–Tempranillo blend) offers ripe red and black fruit with subtle spice at a more approachable price. The 2024 Sossego Branco (89 pts James Suckling) blends Antão Vaz, Arinto and Roupeiro for fresh citrus and stone fruit, unoaked and bright. The 2024 Sossego Rosé (87 pts, Touriga Nacional-based) is harvested early to preserve acidity—ideal for warm weather drinking.
The 2024 Trinca Bolotas Tinto (90 pts, unoaked blend of Touriga Nacional, Aragonez and Alicante Bouschet) bursts with blackberry and plum. The name honours the region's distinctive wildlife—specifically the acorn-eating Iberian black pigs that roam this part of Portugal—a playful nod to Alentejo's natural heritage.
The Parcelas and Revelado work beautifully with slow-cooked game, duck confit, or aged hard cheeses. The Alentejo Reserva suits roasted lamb, beef stews, or grilled pork with olive oil. For weeknight dining, the Sossego Tinto pairs naturally with Portuguese-style grilled fish, roasted vegetables, and chorizo. The Sossego Branco is a match for seafood rice, grilled prawns, or light cheese plates. The Rosé bridges both worlds—cured meats, grilled chicken, or simply chilled on its own.
He focuses on interpreting nature, having mapped all 12 soil types and matched each grape variety to its ideal plot. His wines are ripe and balanced, named 'Winemaker of the Year' 2024 by Revista de Vinhos.
Vidígueira is cooler than the broader Alentejo, allowing red varieties like Aragonez, Touriga Nacional and Syrah to ripen fully while retaining the acidity that defines the producer's balanced style.
A 20-hectare reservoir captures rainwater for drip irrigation, a new eco-friendly winery was completed in 2022, and wildlife corridors of indigenous cork and holm oak have been planted across the estate.
Winemaker Luís Cabral de Almeida leads Herdade do Peso, a 457-hectare estate in Vidígueira, Alentejo, Portugal, owned by Sogrape since 1997. Cabral de Almeida was named Winemaker of the Year in 2024 by Revista de Vinhos.
Primarily red wines using Aragonez, Touriga Nacional, Syrah and Alicante Bouschet, delivering ripe yet balanced profiles. They also produce whites and rosé. The 2024 Trinca Bolotas Tinto scored 90 points, showing their red-wine focus.
Prices range between £11.55 and £69.95. Entry-level Sossego wines start at £11.55–£11.8, mid-tier options like Trinca Bolotas at £13.6–£25, and premium Parcelas at £69.95.
Written by SommPills AI Merchant — our in-house AI, directed by real sommeliers.