Our Vineyards
Protecting the Portuguese vineyard heritage from disappearing – that’s the vision. All over Portugal hand-picking the most classic, sustainably cultivated native grape varieties in distinct regions.
Our Vines
In the heart of Setúbal region, in Pegões, our property extends for over three hectares of old Castelão vines (the most typical red grape here). Sandy soils and water at low depths make for a unique place, with optimal vineyard conditions of heat and exposure for complete maturation, and phenolic richness.
Today it’s a vineyard managed with only organic farming treatments, no conventional agricultural products allowed. We’re not looking for a high yield, we’re looking for a balance between vineyard, production and surrounding ecosystem.
Thanks to local growers’ proximity, we harvest Moscatel and Moscatel Roxo in two different vineyards close to our winery. The must of both grapes is fortified by local producers, and we carry the fermentation to the end to create our AMBAR.
- Moscatel is the most prominent variety in this area, a very aromatic slow-ripening grape.
- Moscatel Roxo is a genetic variation of Alexandria Moscatel which, given the environmental factors in this region, ends up gaining pigmentation. It has become a true symbol of this place.
Because our project started in the Lisbon wine region, we ended up building great relationships with local winegrowers over the years. These close relationships allow us to have a say in cultural practices, control the treatments used and ensure our sustainability principles are put to action.
Today, we harvest specific vineyards every year that vary in terms of area and grape varieties cultivated.
Arinto is the grape we pick the most in Lisbon – it’s what allows us to acidify the white blends of MONDA, SUPERAVIT and AMBAR wines. Since we do not use additives in the cellar, Arinto works as our natural source of tartaric acid given its great freshness.
Other grapes we regularly pick in this region are Tinta Roriz and Touriga Nacional, among other casual experiments.
This is the wine that started it all. Our liquid gold.
When you taste these wines, minerality and body are unlike any other white we produce. And we’ve also made experiments with Rufete and Alfrocheiro, but nothing beats the Encruzado vineyard (at least, for us!).
When in 2019 we started travelling around Portugal to pick main traditional grapes from unique locations, Dão was at the top of our list – this is where our Encruzado comes from, more specifically from Vila Nova de Tazem. Since our first visit, we’ve continued to harvest the same plot every year.
António is the caretaker of this relic hidden by the pine and oak forest, and his ancient sustainable viticulture practices are in complete sync with nature. The yield barely gets to three tons per hectare, and the berries are always small and concentrated – this is how we make our OXYDO.
This is undoubtedly the most impressive location we harvest in. The truth is nothing prepares you for what you’ll find in Trás-Os-Montes: from the landscape to the vine quality.
From day one, we were encouraged to work with grapes owned by Luís’ family in Miranda do Douro. We ended up making our first trip in 2020 to this remote place almost 6 hours away from our winery. Since then, we never stopped going back every year.
On a plateau, sometimes at an altitude of 900 meters, this region is known for its very old vines, in some cases with more than 30 different varieties planted in the same land.
Due to the altitude and lack of humidity, we don’t feel the concern for fungus, or other vine diseases, as in other places. That’s why organic farming has a place here, it’s something natural (not a trend).
Sustainable viticulture is part of Trás-Os-Montes’ culture, with many old vines yet to be mechanized. This was where we most felt the urge to promote and protect traditional agriculture practices.
These vineyards secure grape varieties that belong to Portugal’s heritage and have been increasingly abandoned due to the lack of people dedicated to the fields. That’s why we made it our purpose to follow local producers’ work and be part of their world, of the tenacious.
This is the wine that started it all. Our liquid gold.
