The Fundação Eugénio de Almeida is a private foundation established in Évora by Vasco Maria Eugénio de Almeida in 1963.
Its mission is to aid the development of the Évora region, by encouraging cultural, educational, social work and spiritual initiatives. The Fundação´s assets in Évora include a number of rustic facilities that house a series of industrial and agricultural projects.
The Fundação Eugénio de Almeida also has a long tradition in the wine industry, as wine has been produced at its winery Adega da Cartuxa since the late 19th century. The Adega da Cartuxa is located at Quinta de Valbom, 2 km from the historical centre of the city of Évora (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and near the Cartuxa Convent. More precisely, the winery is located in the dining room of a former Jesuit house. When the Marquis of Pombal gave the order to extinguish the Jesuit order in 1759, the estate became the property of the State. In 1776 it began to function as a wine press facility absorbing the excess grape production in the region.
The Eugénio de Almeida family bought the estate in the 19th century and the Cartuxa winery underwent a series of renovations and expansion, whilst always preserving its historical and architectural characteristics. Adega da Cartuxa – Quinta de Valbom now serves as one of the ageing cellars for the Fundação Eugénio de Almeida wines. The success of these wines has brought resources that allow the institution to carry out its mission to aid the social, cultural and educational development of the region.
The Fundação Eugénio de Almeida vineyards total more than 300 hectares and spread over four estates: Pinheiros, Casito, Álamo da Horta and Quinta de Valbom. The preference for traditional Alentejo grapes varieties, which are also recommended by the PDO, has been essential to the creation of the FEA wines. Thus, white grapes are predominantly Roupeiro, Antão Vaz and Arinto varieties, and the reds are Aragonez, Trincadeira and Tinta Caiada.
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