The Beira Interior Demarcated Region is in central inland mainland Portugal. It is the highest wine-producing region in mainland Portugal, with vineyards planted at altitudes ranging from 350 to 750 metres.
This unique wine territory is shaped by four mountain ranges — the Marofa, Malcata, Gardunha and part of the Serra da Estrela — and defined by its rivers, the Côa and Águeda to the north and the Tagus and Zêzere to the south.
The key factors that define the distinctive character of the wines produced in this region are altitude, thermal amplitude, and the slow rhythms of ripening.
THE TERROIR
In Beira Interior, the character of its wines emerges from a balanced interplay of four fundamental elements: altitude, climate, soil, and viticultural practices.
With a continental climate, marked by long winters and dry summers, the region benefits from significant thermal amplitudes, which help preserve grape acidity and enhance aromatic expression.
The region’s high altitudes — ranging from 350 to 750 metres — allow for slower, more balanced ripening, resulting in wines that are fresh, elegant, and display excellent ageing potential.
Soils are predominantly granite-based, with areas of schist and quartzite, adding minerality and precision to the wines’ aromatic profiles.
This natural harmony defines the terroir of Beira Interior — the very foundation of its distinctive wine identity.
The Sub-Regions of the Denomination of Origin
The Beira Interior Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) is divided into three sub-regions, each with distinctive characteristics that shape the identity of its wines. The diversity of altitudes, soils, and microclimates lends each terroir a unique personality, enriching the overall complexity and expression of the region.
Pinhel
Covering the municipalities of Pinhel, Mêda, Trancoso, and Celorico da Beira, this sub-region is marked by high altitudes and a continental climate. The white wines are known for their aromatic purity, citrus notes, and pronounced minerality, while the red wines display elegance, freshness, and remarkable balance.
Castelo Rodrigo
Located on the Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo plateau and surrounding areas, this sub-region includes the municipalities of Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo and Almeida. With wide thermal amplitudes, it produces white wines with vibrant acidity, and red wines that are delicate, well-structured, and balanced, offering excellent ageing potential.
Cova da Beira
Influenced by a Mediterranean climate in a context of high-altitude vineyards, the Cova da Beira sub-region includes municipalities such as Manteigas, Belmonte, Covilhã, Penamacor, Fundão, and Castelo Branco.
This combination gives rise to dense, expressive wines with good structure, where mountain influence and grape variety diversity come together with a strong local winemaking tradition.
Beira Interior’s Native Grape Varieties
Beira Interior is home to an impressive array of native grape varieties, carefully selected and preserved over generations for their exceptional adaptation to the region’s conditions.
This varietal richness forms one of the key pillars of the region’s wine identity, contributing to the authenticity and complexity of its wines.
White Grape Varieties
Fonte Cal
Exclusive to Beira Interior, this variety is highly resistant to water and heat stress. It produces structured, mineral white wines with excellent ageing potential.
Síria
The most prominent white grape in Beira Interior, Síria yields fresh, expressive wines with pronounced aromatic exuberance. Expect citrus notes, marked minerality, and an elegant character that reflects the region’s altitude and granite-based soils.
Arinto
Well-suited to high-altitude conditions, Arinto delivers fresh, structured white wines with firm acidity and great potential for bottle ageing.
Red Grape Varieties
Rufete
An iconic variety of the region, Rufete produces delicate red wines with vibrant acidity and excellent ageing capacity. Its expression in Beira Interior combines freshness, structure, and a uniquely elegant high-altitude profile.
Marufo
A very old variety, often found in the region’s old vineyards, Marufo is deeply linked to Beira Interior’s winemaking heritage. It gives rise to smooth reds with soft tannins and natural freshness, echoing the region’s identity.
Bastardo
An ancient grape variety, well adapted to Beira Interior’s terroir. Bastardo stands out for its distinctiveness, producing light-bodied, elegant red wines with a marked identity and original character.
Touriga Nacional
In the high altitudes of Beira Interior, this noble variety finds ideal conditions to fully express itself. It reveals intense aromatics, firm structure, and notable balance, reflecting the region’s freshness and elegance.
Tinta Roriz
In Beira Interior, Tinta Roriz shows a fresh, balanced profile, with aromatic notes of balsam, resin, menthol, and pine needle — a direct reflection of the region’s altitude and climate.
Organic Wine Production
Beira Interior stands out as one of Portugal’s wine regions with the strongest natural aptitude for organic and sustainable viticulture. The combination of altitude, a dry climate, and a natural balance between soil and vine creates ideal conditions for low-impact agricultural practices, reducing disease pressure and minimising the need for chemical treatments.
The region currently records one of the highest percentages of organically certified vineyards in the country. This progress is driven by a growing number of producers committed to environmentally responsible viticulture, focused on soil preservation, vine health, and consumer protection.
Local winemakers and viticultural experts in Beira Interior promote responsible practices, such as careful water and soil management, biodiversity conservation, and carbon footprint reduction. This sustainable approach blends traditional knowledge with technological innovation, ensuring ecosystem balance and long-term territorial resilience.
This commitment further positions Beira Interior as a region of pure, authentic high-altitude wines, perfectly aligned with global trends towards conscious and responsible consumption.
