The vineyard of Casal das Freiras (Farmhouse of the Nuns) is on land once owned by a religious order, the Ordem de Cristo, and it is generally believed that the house and its outbuildings, which now contain the vats and wine presses, were occupied by nuns.The Tomar area has a wine growing tradition dating back centuries. The prize winning Casal das Freiras red wines come from vines planted on soils rich in clay and limestone that grow on gentle south-facing slopes. The grapes, which are fermented by traditional methods, produce a full-bodied aromatic wine which can be drunk early, but which improves with age.