The Labrugeira Cooperative Winery was founded by renowned local Pedro Abreu. It is located in Labrugeira, part of Ventosa council, and was officially recognised in 1973, although in the following four years the actual wine production would take place in a borrowed winery.
When the new building was completed, in 1977, the machinery was set to work for the benefit of its members. The first step toeards the production of quality wine was taken in 1979 with the puchase of the first stainless steel storage tanks in the country, a farsighted investment in ground-breaking technilogy. These are still being used today for the fermentation of the must.
Faced with the fluctuation of prices of bulk wine, the cooperative would begin bottling in 1980.
Two years later it began to select grapes which was rare in those days. Since then, the varietals are paid for in accordance with the quantity and quality of the wine produced, with a preference for Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Syrah reds, and for Arinto and Fernão Pires whites.
The grapes are harvested according to a specific timetable issued each year.
