Mainova: wine, olive oil and ancient olive groves in the Alto Alentejo

At Herdade da Fonte Santa, in the heart of the Alto Alentejo, schist and granite soils support vineyards and olive groves that in some cases are over 2,400 years old. It is on that land, and with that historical weight, that Mainova produces its wines and olive oil.

The winery is taking part in FINE #WineTourism Marketplace 2026, to be held in Valladolid on 3 and 4 March.

Night harvest, gravity and spontaneous fermentation

Mainova works 20 hectares of vineyard planted with traditional Portuguese varieties: 17.5 under integrated production and the remainder under organic farming. The harvest is done by hand and at night, to preserve the freshness and quality of the grapes during the coolest hours. In the winery, the grapes are handled by gravity, without pumping that could alter the must, and fermentations are spontaneous, with no added yeasts, respecting the vineyard’s natural rhythms.

Olive oil is the estate’s other great product. Ninety hectares of olive groves under integrated production, with varieties including Galega, Arbequina, Cobrançosa, Picual, Cordovil and Frantoio. The harvest is semi-manual and extraction is cold-pressed. The result is a fruity oil of unique character, produced with the same philosophy as the wines.

From a picnic under ancient olives to lunch with the chef from Híbrido

Mainova’s wine tourism offer adapts to different profiles and goes well beyond a standard tasting. Visitors can choose a tasting of three wines with a board of regional products, or a broader experience including six wines and olive oils with a selection of local produce. For those who prefer a slower pace, the estate offers picnics under centuries-old olive trees and horse rides through the vineyard.

The most distinctive experience is Mainova à Mesa. A lunch led by chef João Narigueta, from the restaurant Híbrido in Évora, where each dish is paired with the winery’s wines in a setting that combines contemporary gastronomy and Alentejo landscape.

Mainova also organises private events, harvest programmes, introductory tasting workshops for wines and oils, and yoga sessions among the vines. Each activity is designed to connect the visitor with the surroundings and with the processes behind every bottle.

An estate where sustainability is not an argument — it is a practice

Mainova’s commitment to sustainability translates into concrete decisions: integrated and organic production, efficient water use, carbon footprint reduction and respect for the unique ecosystem of Herdade da Fonte Santa. It is not a statement of principles. It is the way the estate works every day.

At FINE 2026, Mainova presents the international market with an Alto Alentejo estate where wine, olive oil and territory are inseparable, and where every experience is a gateway to one of Portugal’s most authentic wine regions.