Beira Interior

Located on the other side of the Serra da Estrela mountains from Dão, and sheltered from Atlantic influence, Beira Interior has the highest altitude of all the wine regions. This region has extreme temperature variations with short, hot, and dry summers, and long and cold winters. Beira has mostly granite and shale soils with quartz veins.

There are three sub-regions, called Castelo Rodrigo, Pinhel, and Cova da Beira. Arinto, Fonte Cal, Malvasia Fina, Rabo de Ovelha, and Síria are the white grapes of the region, and Bastardo, Marufo, Rufete, Tinta Roriz, and Touriga Nacional prevail, are found in many old well-established vineyards.