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Península de Setúbal

Portugal

SetúbalSetúbal

Portugal wine regions

About Península de Setúbal

Just south of Lisbon, the Península de Setúbal is famous for its fortified Moscatel de Setúbal, one of Portugal's great sweet wines. But there is much more here than Moscatel. The Palmela sub-region produces excellent Castelão-based reds from sandy soils, while the limestone hills of the Arrábida natural park create a unique microclimate for both red and white varieties. The region benefits from both Atlantic and river influences, with the Sado estuary moderating temperatures. Producers like José Maria da Fonseca and Bacalhôa have long established the region's reputation.

0311 m

Elevation range

redwhitedessert

Wine styles

2 Sub-regions

Avg. slope 2.9°

Vintage Ratings

Rating:
95+
90-94
85-89
80-84
<80
PeakReadyHold
Year202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010
Red
White

Outstanding Península de Setúbal Vintages

The best recent vintages rated excellent or exceptional.

Red

2024

Ready
92Excellent

Structured, aromatic with very fine tannins and fresh berry intensity. Notable purity and balance.

2026Peak 202720312033

2023

At peak
91Excellent

Elegant, well-balanced. Castelão producing bright cherry and plum with mineral freshness.

2025Peak 202620302032

2021

At peak
92Excellent

September rains avoided this peninsula. Rich, spicy, robust Castelão reds with structure and value.

2023Peak 202420282029

2019

At peak
92Excellent

Cooler, fresher vintage highlighting Castelão's elegant side. Purity, red fruit, restrained alcohol.

2021Peak 202220262028

2018

At peak
92Excellent

Generous, ripe vintage. Full-bodied reds with soft tannins, dark fruit, and Mediterranean warmth.

2020Peak 202220262028

2017

At peak
93Excellent

Drought year produced concentrated, powerful reds. Castelão's natural freshness balanced the ripeness.

2019Peak 202120272029

2016

Drink now
91Excellent

Very good vintage with depth and structure. Castelão showed fine tannins and dark berry concentration.

2018Peak 202020252027

2015

Drink now
92Excellent

Balanced vintage with good color, ripe tannins, and fresh acidity. Cool nights preserved aromatics.

2017Peak 201820242026

2011

Drink now
96Exceptional

Landmark vintage. Deeply expressive, concentrated reds with remarkable elegance and aging potential.

2014Peak 201620252029

White

2024

At peak
92Excellent

Promising whites with bright aromatics and balanced acidity. Early signs of an excellent Moscatel year.

2025Peak 202620292030

2023

At peak
92Excellent

Outstanding whites. Fresh, complex, with vivid Moscatel character and excellent aging potential.

2024Peak 202520282029

2021

At peak
92Excellent

Vibrant, aromatic whites with excellent Moscatel production. Fernão Pires showed real complexity.

2022Peak 202320262027

2019

Past window
91Excellent

Elegant, fresh whites highlighting the peninsula's maritime character. Refined Moscatel.

2020Peak 202120242025

2018

Past window
92Excellent

Generous, ripe whites with tropical fruit and floral notes. Excellent Moscatel de Setúbal.

2019Peak 202020232024

2016

Past window
91Excellent

Rich, expressive whites with excellent Moscatel character. Dry whites showed stone fruit and herbs.

2017Peak 201820212023

2015

Past window
94Excellent

Aromatic, balanced whites. Moscatel de Setúbal showed classic orange blossom, lychee, and honey.

2016Peak 201720202022

2011

Past window
92Excellent

Excellent whites with concentration and freshness. Moscatel de Setúbal particularly fine this year.

2012Peak 201320182020
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Sub-regiões

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Terroir & Character

Climate

MediterraneanAtlantic influencemildestuary-moderated

Mediterranean with strong Atlantic influence from both the ocean and the Sado estuary. Mild winters (frost is rare), warm but not extreme summers (30-35°C). The Arrábida hills create a rain shadow on their southern slope. Annual rainfall around 500-600mm, with the moderating maritime influence extending the growing season.

Terroir

limestone hillssandy plainsclay inlandungrafted vines

Three distinct zones: limestone and clay in the Arrábida hills (producing the most structured wines), deep sandy soils in the Palmela plains (ideal for Castelão and Moscatel), and heavier clay soils inland. The sandy soils never suffered from phylloxera, and some very old ungrafted vines remain.

Typical Aromas

orange blossomdried figstoasted almondshoneycaramelraisins
Explore the aroma wheel

Grapes of Península de Setúbal

Map data: IVV (Instituto da Vinha e do Vinho)