ÚNICA – Adega Cooperativa do Algarve is the region’s only active cooperative
The Algarve’s historic wine cooperative ÚNICA – Adega Cooperativa do Algarve – will temporarily move to Silves as Lagoa Council prepares to build a new home for it.
The move is due to last year’s notification to vacate its longtime premises in Lagoa. The building had been sold in 2018 to a private investor to help the cooperative address financial challenges, with ÚNICA remaining on-site under a lease agreement.
Lagoa mayor Luís Encarnação explained that the municipality is committed to keeping ÚNICA in Lagoa: “We are working on a solution that allows the winery to remain in the municipality, preserving its economic and cultural significance,” he said.
Located near the national road EN125 at the entrance to Lagoa, Adega de Lagoa is one of Portugal’s oldest wineries, having played a central role in regional wine production. After facing financial difficulties, it merged with the Lagos cooperative in 2008, forming ÚNICA – Adega Cooperativa do Algarve. Today, it is the only active cooperative winery in the Algarve, receiving grapes from across the region and producing wines from traditional grape varieties.
To settle debts, the cooperative sold its original building to a German investor whilst continuing operations under a lease. The building has been on the market for some time, and the owner recently terminated the lease, requiring the cooperative to leave by the end of October.
The mayor ruled out buying the building due to its high price, preferring instead to build a new facility, working closely with management on a temporary move to Silves, with a later return planned in Lagoa.
Article originally published by Michael Bruxo on Portugal Resident.
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