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Colares is a small town and civil parish located in the municipality of Sintra, in Portugal. The town is known for its natural beauty, historical significance, and its wine production.
The town of Colares is situated on the westernmost point of the European mainland and is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, offering picturesque landscapes and a cool, maritime climate. It's famous for the Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais, a spectacular natural park with diverse flora and fauna.
Historically, it is home to several archaeological sites, including megalithic structures and Bronze Age burial sites. The area features a variety of architectural styles, ranging from traditional Portuguese houses to lavish 19th Century villas.
In terms of viticulture, Colares is renowned for its unique sand wines produced under the appellation "Colares DOC". The vineyards in Colares are planted in sandy soil, which protected them from the phylloxera plague that devastated most European vineyards in the 19th century. Therefore, some of the grapevines in Colares are among the oldest ungrafted vines in the world.
The most prevalent grape varieties in Colares are Ramisco (red) and Malvasia (white), both of which are indigenous to the region. The region's wines are noted for their distinctive characteristics, high acidity and salinity, which reflect the local terroir.
Today, tourism, agriculture, and winemaking form the backbone of the local economy. Tourist attractions include the local churches such as the Church of Saint John the Baptist, the Colares Manor House, several beautiful beaches like Praia das Macas and Praia Grande, and obviously, the wine cellars.