Lagoa, Portugal – The municipal council of Lagoa is exploring the possibility of acquiring the historic headquarters of ÚNICA – Adega Cooperativa do Algarve, a local winemaking cooperative facing eviction.

The cooperative, forced to sell its headquarters in 2018 to settle debts, must find a new home by June. The building's future has been uncertain since the sale, raising concerns about its preservation.

Mayor Luís Encarnação revealed that the council was unaware of the 2018 sale, stating that the municipality was neither consulted nor offered the opportunity to purchase the property.

"If a similar sale were to occur now, the council would be in a position to 'exercise that right,'" Encarnação said.

The council's interest in acquiring the property hinges on its financial feasibility. "If the valuation is within the municipality's means, we'll consider exercising our right of preference," Encarnação clarified.

To safeguard the building's legacy, the Municipal Master Plan (PDM) was updated in 2021, prohibiting residential developments on the site. The PDM mandates that the property be used for commerce and services, with a focus on wine production and the creation of a wine museum.

Mayor Encarnação warned potential buyers to consult the municipality beforehand to understand the permitted uses for the property.

Meanwhile, the future of ÚNICA remains uncertain. The cooperative may face closure if it cannot find a new headquarters, a move that could have devastating consequences for the region's wine industry.

Relocating would involve complex logistics, particularly for aging wines. Premature transportation could compromise their quality and potentially downgrade Algarve's wines from their protected designations.

The closure of ÚNICA would leave the Algarve as the only wine-producing region in Portugal without such a cooperative facility, jeopardizing its cultural and economic diversity.

The Algarve Wine Commission (CVA) has expressed deep concern about ÚNICA's uncertain future, emphasizing its historical significance and the vital role it plays in the region's winemaking heritage.