A must see tour point in Setúbal, is the Fort of S. Filipe that was once an important defensive and control bastion of the city.
Although the date of the beginning of the works isn’t very accurate, the date is near the year 1582, at which time D. Filipe II visited Setúbal.
The Castle of S. Filipe, most often designated by Fort or Fortaleza, and played a tactical role of strengthening the line of defence of the Portuguese coast, buffeted by pirates of Northern Europe and Africa.
Currently operating as a Pousada de Portugal, has a baroque chapel, coated with tiles, dated from 1736, from Policarpo de Oliveira Bernardes, depicting scenes of the life of S. Filipe.
It includes a wine area, with a wine cellar in which 36 producers of the region are represented, and which is able to receive specialized events of this economic activity, and also a gourmet shop, with traditional cheeses and pastries.
In 1998, Commander José Berardo became the main shareholder and continued the company’s mission, investing in planting new vineyards, modernizing wineries and acquiring new properties, and started a partnership with the Lafitte Rothschild Group in Quinta do Carmo.
In 2007 Bacalhôa became the largest shareholder in the Aliança Vinhos de Portugal, one of the most prestigious producers in the categories of high quality sparkling wines, spirits and table wines. The following year, the company bought Quinta do Carmo, thus increasing to 1200ha of vineyards its farm.
Bacalhôa has wineries in the most important regions of Portugal: Alentejo, Península de Setúbal (Azeitão), Lisbon, Bairrada, Dão and Douro.
The preject implemented in several farms under the theme “Art, Wine, Passion) aims to surprise the most demanding expectations. From the vineyards to the wine, the entire winemaking process is envolved in various scenarios that include tradition and modernity, with diverse artistic exhibitions, from painting to sculpture, never forgetting the magnificient natural works.
With a total capacity of 20 million liters, 15,000 oak barrels and an area of vines in production of about 1,200 hectares, Bacalhôa Vinhos de Portugal continues its commitment to innovatiion in the sector, with a view to the creation of wines that provide unique and surprising experiences with high quality and consistency.