Alentejo · Portugal
Quinta do Paral: The Alentejo Wine Estate Up for European Winery of the Year, Where You Can Sleep Among the Vines
Vines more than 65 years old, grape varieties you won’t find anywhere else and a wine hotel in the rolling Alentejo countryside: why this family estate in Vidigueira is suddenly on Europe’s shortlist.
Portugal’s Alentejo has long been one of Europe’s best-kept wine secrets: a sweep of golden plains, cork oaks and whitewashed villages where summers are long and the wines are generous. Now one estate there is drawing international attention. Quinta do Paral, a family-owned winery near Vidigueira, has been named one of just five nominees for European Winery of the Year at the 2026 Wine Star Awards, with the winner to be celebrated at a black-tie gala in January 2027.
For travelers, the nomination is a perfect excuse to discover a corner of Portugal many visitors miss, and the best part is that you don’t just taste the wine here. You can sleep among the vines.
You don’t just taste the wine here. You can sleep among the vines.
5 Reasons to Visit Quinta do Paral
- The old vines. Some are more than 65 years old, a living record of Vidigueira’s history.
- Rare grapes. Taste Tinta Grossa and Antão Vaz, varieties rooted in this land.
- A Europe-wide spotlight. A 2026 nominee for European Winery of the Year.
- The wine hotel. Quinta do Paral – The Wine Hotel, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World.
- The Alentejo itself. Slow days, big skies and some of Portugal’s best food.
A heritage rooted in the land
The modern story of Quinta do Paral began in 2017, when entrepreneur Dieter Morszeck acquired the 85-hectare estate near Vidigueira with a clear vision: to create a family-owned winery and wine destination grounded in the authenticity of the Alentejo. Working with winemaker Luís Morgado Leão, now the estate’s CEO, he reimagined the property in a way that respects local traditions while looking firmly forward in the vineyard, the cellar and the guest experience.
The heart of the estate is its old vines, many planted more than 65 years ago. Their heritage grape varieties offer a compelling expression of Vidigueira’s character, and preserving them is central to everything Quinta do Paral does.
The wines to taste
The portfolio is a tour of Portuguese winemaking, from fresh, aromatic whites to deep, old-vine reds:
- Quinta do Paral Vinhas Velhas Red 2020. Aragonez and Tinta Grossa from old vines, aged 22 months in French oak: ripe plum and cherry, a touch of spice, freshness and velvety tannins.
- Quinta do Paral Superior White. Made entirely from Arinto, prized for its freshness and aromatic lift.
- Quinta do Paral Vinhas Velhas single varieties. Wines that explore the identity of Tinta Grossa and Antão Vaz from the estate’s old vineyards.
Love the Vinhas Velhas Red? It is the clearest taste of what the estate is working to protect: mature fruit and spice balanced by freshness, complexity and velvety tannins, from vines that have weathered decades of Alentejo summers.
Sustainability, for the next 65 years
In a region where hotter, drier conditions are reshaping viticulture, Quinta do Paral treats environmental stewardship as essential to both its vineyards and its wines. As a member of the Wines of Alentejo Sustainability Programme, it builds social, environmental and economic responsibility into its viticulture and winemaking, with the long-term goal of preserving Vidigueira’s vineyard heritage for future generations.
“This region is one of the Alentejo’s most distinctive wine-growing areas, with a heritage that deserves to be protected and celebrated,” says Luís Morgado Leão, CEO and winemaker. “At Quinta do Paral, our commitment is to preserve what makes this land unique, from our old vines and indigenous grape varieties to the landscape and traditions that surround us.”
Stay the night: Quinta do Paral – The Wine Hotel
Quinta do Paral is as much about hospitality as it is about wine. On the estate, Quinta do Paral – The Wine Hotel, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, offers intimate accommodation where wine, regional gastronomy and the landscapes of the Alentejo come together. Spend your days tasting in the cellar and walking the vineyards, then linger over a long dinner of Alentejo flavors as the plains turn gold at sunset.
Vidigueira sits in the heart of the Alentejo, roughly two hours’ drive southeast of Lisbon, which makes the estate an easy and rewarding escape from the capital or a stop on a longer road trip through southern Portugal.
Quinta do Paral — At a Glance
- Where
- Near Vidigueira, Alentejo, Portugal; about two hours from Lisbon
- Estate
- 85 hectares, family-owned since 2017
- Vines
- Many more than 65 years old
- Signature grapes
- Aragonez, Tinta Grossa, Antão Vaz, Arinto
- Recognition
- 2026 nominee, European Winery of the Year, Wine Star Awards
- Stay
- Quinta do Paral – The Wine Hotel, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World
- Book
- reservations@quintadoparal.com · +351 284 243 762
Plan Your Alentejo Escape
Book a stay at Quinta do Paral – The Wine Hotel, plan a tasting of the old-vine wines and give yourself time to slow down.
Book Quinta do Paral – The Wine HotelFrequently Asked Questions
What is Quinta do Paral?
Quinta do Paral is a family-owned wine estate near Vidigueira in Portugal’s Alentejo region, spanning 85 hectares of vineyards with vines more than 65 years old. It also includes Quinta do Paral – The Wine Hotel, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World.
Was Quinta do Paral nominated for European Winery of the Year?
Yes. Quinta do Paral was announced on September 20, 2026, as one of five nominees for European Winery of the Year at the 2026 Wine Star Awards, with winners to be honored at a black-tie gala in January 2027.
Where is Quinta do Paral?
Quinta do Paral is near the town of Vidigueira in the Alentejo, the sun-drenched wine region of southern Portugal, roughly two hours’ drive southeast of Lisbon.
What wines does Quinta do Paral make?
Signature wines include Quinta do Paral Vinhas Velhas Red 2020, from Aragonez and Tinta Grossa aged 22 months in French oak, and Quinta do Paral Superior White, made entirely from Arinto, plus old-vine wines focused on Tinta Grossa and Antão Vaz.
Can you stay at Quinta do Paral?
Yes. Quinta do Paral – The Wine Hotel offers intimate accommodation on the estate, pairing stays with wine, regional gastronomy and the landscapes of the Alentejo. Reservations are available through the estate’s website.
Who makes the wine at Quinta do Paral?
Luís Morgado Leão is the CEO and winemaker of Quinta do Paral. The estate was acquired in 2017 by entrepreneur Dieter Morszeck, who reimagined it as a family-owned winery and wine tourism destination.
Is Quinta do Paral sustainable?
Quinta do Paral is a member of the Wines of Alentejo Sustainability Programme, building social, environmental and economic responsibility into its viticulture and winemaking.
Where can I buy Quinta do Paral wine?
Quinta do Paral wines are available through the estate’s online shop and selected wine retailers.
This article may contain sponsored or partner content and affiliate links; see our Editorial Policy & Advertiser Disclosure. Please enjoy wine responsibly. Wines, vintages and availability are subject to change.
