Located in Reguengo, Portalegre, within the protected Serra de São Mamede Natural Park, the history of Vinha dos Padres (literally “Vines of the Monks”) Estate—home to Vila Maria—dates back to the mid-1500s, when it was first acquired by the Jesuits. This religious order, deeply connected to viticulture, established a lasting presence in Portugal, shaping the estate’s winemaking tradition. Over the centuries, the estate changed hands multiple times, including a period under the Portuguese Crown after the Jesuits’ departure. The current family owners acquired Vila Maria with the vision of restoring its legacy—honoring a centuries-old tradition of artisanal winemaking. At Vila Maria, wine is crafted using age-old techniques; Grapes from untouched, century-old vines are harvested by hand with meticulous care. The fermentation process takes place in traditional, handmade Portuguese terracotta pots—an ancient method introduced by the Phoenicians in the 5th century BC, later refined by the Romans, and preserved by the very monks who once cultivated these lands.