Adega Cooperativa de Vidigueira, Cuba and Alvito (AVCA) celebrates its 64th anniversary this year with the launch of a new wine brand in honor of its almost 300 members and the region's terroir. At the same time, she completed her fifth year as an AIP member. Strong reasons to toast the longevity of our associative family.
"Vidigueira Choice of Partners" is a tribute to the cooperators who, over six decades, have contributed to the quality and notoriety of wines from the Vidigueira sub-region.
Founded in 1960, the winery has become a symbol of tradition and wine excellence in the heart of Alentejo. With the launch of the new brand, Adega reaffirms its commitment to innovation and valuing its members, highlighting its fundamental role in building the Cooperative's identity.
The "Vidigueira Escolha dos Socios" range includes three references: white, red and the single variety Antão Vaz, Vidigueira's most mystical grape variety and the Adega's inspiring muse, as it is present in all the white wines in its portfolio.
These wines reflect the diversity and richness of the terroir of the Vidigueira sub-region, using the most traditional grape varieties, such as Alicante Bouschet, Trincadeira and Touriga Nacional in the Red and Antão Vaz and Arinto in the Whites, as well as the commitment and passion of the winery’s collaborators.
For José Miguel Almeida, president of the Adega since 2012, “remembering memories of the Adega is returning to a very particular viticulture past of this territory, in which people came together to create a productive structure and build a brand around a region.”
“The launch of the brand 'Vidigueira Escolha dos Socios' is a source of pride for all of us”, stated the president of Adega Cooperativa de Vidigueira, Cuba and Alvito.
1,400 hectares of vineyards generate 9.5 million euros
The "Vidigueira Escolha dos Sócios" wines are intended for the Horeca channel, and are also available in the Adega de Vidigueira, Castro Verde stores and in the Online Store.
Founded on May 27, 1960, it is one of the oldest Cooperative Wineries in Portugal, however its chronology extends far beyond the 64 years of existence.
Vila da Vidigueira is in itself an authentic tribute to wine, the name Vidigueira itself suggests Vide, the plant that produces wine. There are signs that two thousand years ago there were already large vineyards in the territory, a legacy left by the Romans when they produced the ancestral Talha Wine.
In the 19th century, it stood out for its White Wines, receiving the medal of honor, the highest distinction awarded at the 1888 Berlin Exhibition.
Today it has around 300 collaborators, maintaining an operating area of 1400 hectares of vineyards.
In 2023, sales and services provided represented a value of 9.5 million euros, corresponding to an increase of 13.17% compared to 2022.
The Wine Tourism Unit recorded an increase of 10.33% compared to 2022, which is “something very positive and which clearly demonstrates the growth potential of our Wine Tourism, within a framework of a 14% increase in visitors, and where expected significant increases in the coming years, in demand for the Tourist Product “Talha Wine”.
For many Adega employees and residents of Vidigueira, the Cooperative represents a life that goes beyond the third generation, as some partners and collaborators testify in the video presented at the event: “There is a very family atmosphere and this is a source of pride for everyone” .
The festivities took place with the family at a very special event, which took place at Casa das Talhas, in June, where partners and employees got to know first-hand the three “Vidigueira Escolha dos Sócios”, presented by Cláudia Paiva from Wine Crush Consulting, responsible for creating the branding, and winemaker Vasco Moura Fernandes.
This was followed by a toast to the 64th anniversary, to the sound of the anniversary song performed by Grupo Coral da Adega, as well as the presentation of a very special video, which features the testimony of some Adega partners and employees.
