Alma Soalheira - Douro Wine Experience

About Winery and Wines

Discovering the Soul of the Douro Valley

At the heart of Penajóia, in Lamego, stands Alma Soalheira, a winery where history, people, and passion intertwine to tell the living story of the Douro Valley.
The winery’s roots reach back to 1962, when a group of 15 local winegrowers founded the Adega Cooperativa de Penajóia — a cooperative created to give fair value and collective strength to small farmers. Over the following decades, the cooperative became a lifeline for hundreds of growers, transforming their grapes into high-quality wines and securing their place in one of the world’s oldest demarcated regions.

By 2017, after a period of inactivity, winemaker Bernardo Oliveira — with over 30 years of technical and creative experience — decided to revive the historic cellar. His mission was simple yet profound: to bridge heritage and innovation, honoring the cooperative spirit while building a modern, forward-looking project. That vision became Alma Soalheira, a name that means “Sunny Soul,” evoking both light and legacy.

Today, Alma Soalheira sources grapes from hundreds of small and medium producers across the three sub-regions of the Douro — Baixo Corgo, Cima Corgo, and Douro Superior — allowing a unique diversity of terroirs to express themselves in every wine. The original 1960s equipment still stands side by side with modern stainless-steel tanks and precise temperature-control systems, symbolizing a harmonious dialogue between past and present.

Behind the scenes, a dedicated team led by Bernardo Oliveira works with deep respect for both nature and tradition. Every harvest is planned in close cooperation with local growers, ensuring quality and sustainability while keeping the cooperative spirit alive. Each bottle represents more than wine — it is a story of resilience, community, and devotion to the land.

A Passion Shared Through Experience

Since 2024, Alma Soalheira has opened its doors to visitors through the Douro Wine Experience, in partnership with A Day in Douro.
This immersive journey reveals the entire winemaking process — from vine to bottle — and culminates in a panoramic tasting overlooking the breathtaking Douro Valley. Guests walk through vineyards, explore the fermentation center where the 1960s and modern technologies meet, and witness enological spectacles such as sabrage of sparkling wine or the fire opening of Vintage Port.

The experience celebrates the values that define Alma Soalheira:

- Authenticity born of cooperative roots

- Technical excellence and professionalism

- Warm hospitality

- Sustainability and responsibility

- Innovation with respect for tradition

Our Wines, Vineyards & Grape Varieties

At Alma Soalheira, each wine tells the story of the Douro Valley’s diversity — its steep terraces, schist and granite soils, and the dedication of hundreds of small growers who keep its heritage alive. Our vineyards stretch across the three sub-regions of the Douro — Baixo Corgo, Cima Corgo, and Douro Superior — allowing us to craft blends that capture a full spectrum of aromas, textures, and expressions of this extraordinary terroir.

Our winemaking philosophy is rooted in respect for tradition and precision through innovation. The winery still operates original 1960s equipment, now complemented by modern stainless-steel tanks, temperature control, and gravity-fed systems that preserve finesse and purity at every stage.

 

Our Wine Collections

• 100 Segredos
Meaning “100 Secrets,” this range represents the essence of the modern Douro — vibrant, young, and full of life. These wines are pure and fruit-driven, without oak aging, designed for freshness, balance, and everyday pleasure.

• Puzzle
A tribute to our network of growers — each vineyard, altitude, and grape variety is a piece of the puzzle that, together, forms a complete picture of the Douro. These wines are elegant, expressive, and deeply connected to the land.

• Dona Joia
Our crown jewel. Crafted from old vines over 70 years old, aged in French oak, these Grande Reserva wines are complex, refined, and built to age gracefully. “Dona Joia” means “Madam Jewel” — a reflection of the Douro’s elegance and strength.

Our Grape Varieties

We work with both native Portuguese and select international varieties, each chosen for its harmony with the Douro’s climate and soils.

White grapes:

Viosinho – aromatic, fresh, with notes of citrus and white flowers.

Malvasia Fina – elegant, smooth, and delicately floral.

Gouveio – crisp and structured, perfect for aging.

Fernão Pires – intensely aromatic, with notes of orange blossom and pear.

Códega – soft and round, bringing balance to blends.

Sauvignon Blanc – expressive and vibrant, adding minerality and freshness.

Red grapes:

Touriga Nacional – the soul of Portuguese reds, rich in color and floral aromas.

Touriga Franca – elegant, perfumed, and silky in texture.

Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) – structured and spicy, with ripe red fruit.

Tinto Cão – adds freshness, tension, and longevity.

Pinot Noir – cultivated at higher altitudes for finesse and balance, also used in our sparkling wines.

A Living Heritage in Every Bottle

From fresh, stainless-steel-aged whites and rosés to bold, oak-aged reds and long-aged sparkling wines made by the traditional method, every Alma Soalheira wine embodies the cooperative spirit that shaped the Douro.

Each bottle carries not only the flavor of the land but also the hands, history, and heart of the people who make it.