The oldest vineyards in this part of the country are found between the villages of Vila Alva and Vila de Frades. These old vineyards produce grapes from the Alentejo's traditional white and red grape varieties, some of which are almost extinct. The famous Vinho de Talha is produced from these rare grapes.

This territory of centuries-old vineyards, with its sprawling landscapes, has a village that is considered by many to be “the whitest village in Portugal”. The fields around Vila Alva not only boast vineyards, but also cork oak forests, the olive groves and the fields of wheat when the summer comes. There is also the Albergaria dos Fusos reservoir, where the mirrored surface of the water contrasts with the mountain ranges that form its horizon.

It is a territory of traditions, culture, and nature, which deserves to be better known. There are already numerous hiking routes that take in the Vineyards of Vila Alva and which form an integral part of the local tourist and heritage attractions.

The Vineyards of Cuba, which include those of Vila Alva, are a special case of wine production in the Alentejo. They are not the only special case. Production on smallholdings is significant here, and this contrasts with the production in the rest of the territory.

In the municipality of Cuba, the climate has Mediterranean characteristics, being more temperate. Vidigueira has a climate of milder winters, although its summers are extremely hot and dry and only tempered with the cool breeze from the Atlantic. The long sunshine hours allow the grapes to mature well, leading to an improvement in the quality of the wines. 

In the predominantly sandy soils, of granitic origin, defended from the north winds by the Portel ranges and with a strong influence from the Guadiana River basin and Alqueva Lake, extraordinary microclimates well suited for grape production abound. Concentrated bunches of grapes, complex in aromas and flavours, allow the production of intense wines full of personality.

In these vineyards, of which about 9,06 ha and 24 plots are identified and characterised, there are no drip irrigation systems, and no support systems, be they made of sticks, wires, galvanised posts, or anything else.

Over several generations Vila Alva has kept the vines cultivated this way, which is widely associated with talha wine. This Roman heritage is still well marked in this parish and in its neighbour, Vila de Frades.