Lisbon's urban winery Adega Belém: Where wine stories are created with love

Getting to know Lisbon's wine scene included a visit to Adega Belém, an urban winery. Portugal's capital and largest city is home to urban wineries and wine bars. Not only does Lisbon have an exciting wine scene but also you are not far from wine country. Top on my list was Adega Belém where I met up with #winelover friends, Catarina and David (winery owners who also winemakers), and a family pet. What I discovered at this family winery were inviting stories about wines, which were created with love.

Welcome to Adega Belém, Lisbon © Spaswinefood

During my Lisbon stay I loved exploring its foodie and wine scene. Every day while I was there I took Uber to a new location to checkout its offerings. 

Exploring Lisbon © Spaswinefood

While most folks checkout the top sites I loved exploring Lisbon because it's exciting gastronomic scene. 

Pastéis de Belém, Lisbon © Spaswinefood

That day we (Carol, Sue and I) visited Adega Belém our Lisbon friend, Malfalda suggested we all meet at Pastéis de Belém, a local bakery famous for its pastel de nata (custard tart). From the bakery we walked to the winery.

Welcome to Adega Belém 

Friends Meetup, Adega Belém © Spaswinefood

Soon, we were at the cellar door being welcome by the family dog.

Welcome to Adega Belém © Spaswinefood

Adega Belém's winery's symbol is a frog. The owners believe that 1) the Iberian frog's calling story provides such a good metaphor for them and their work; and moreover, 2) Catarina used to be a professional frog scientist hence the Iberian frog became their winery logo.

Adega Belém Wines © Spaswinefood

One of the first things you notice about Adega Belém wines are the labels. This is a family winery where their daughter's drawings are used on the labels. Of course each drawing tells a story. Children's drawings are also proudly displayed in the wine tasting area.

Exploring Wine Stories

Soon we gathered around the table to taste the wines, which produced via a natural fermentation process, with minimum intervention. Their wines include a number of Iberian grape varieties like, Arinto, Encruzado, Moscatel Galego, Alvarinho, Castelão and Touriga Franca. During the tasting we were introduced to eight wines. For these wines we focused on exploring the diversity of textures, aromas and styles.  

Adega Belém © Spaswinefood

When you taste wines with friends everyone has a favorite.

Wine Tasting, Adega Belém © Spaswinefood

Now the wines, Let's take a closer look at the wines we tasted.

Adega Belém Wines © Spaswinefood

I enjoyed learning about each of the wines and the stories behind each label. This is a family winery where great care is taken by the winemakers in producing the wines. Their daughters drawings are used to design labels to share stories, even drawings of family pets are on some of the labels.

Of course when we are wine tasting some wine conversations are always necessary.

Conversing, Adega Belém © Spaswinefood

For those who know Carol, she always finds a way to introduce some chocolate.

Conversations, Adega Belém © Spaswinefood

Now, there might be some chocolate to pair with those red wines. What do you think?

Chocolate Time, Adega Belém © Spaswinefood

Then for me one more last look at the wines. I was glad to discover Adega Belém where all the wines are created with love, and has story to share.

Adega Belém Wines Tasted © Spaswinefood

After a fabulous meetup with friends over a wine tasting at Adega Belém we were off to lunch at nearby O Frade.

O Frade, Lisbon © Spaswinefood

Our visit to Adega Belém was a most delightful experience. Lisbon's Adega Belém is a family winery that I highly recommend visiting. I invite you to join me in my wine travels in Portugal and elsewhere at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon, and at Spaswinefood on Twitter and Facebook. I am so looking forward to sharing more on my vine-filled explorations in Portugal. 

CHEERS!

Sharon 

May 2023

Lisbon, Portugal 

© Spaswinefood

Friends, Adega Belém © Spaswinefood

#spaswinefood travels in Portugal Lisbon #winelover