Morgado do Quintao

Filipe Caldas de Vasconcellos,

Silves, Portugal

Winemaker Joana Maçanita & Joaquim Imaginario

Region Algarve

Country Portugal

Soil Type Sandy red clay, over limestone

Main Varieties Crato Branco, Negra Mole, Castelão

Morgado do Quintao is a family restoration project, led by 4th generation Filipe Caldas de Vasconcellos. The estate dates back over 200 years, but much was abandonded during the Algarve tourism boom of the late 20th century. After inheriting the estate from his mother, Filipe has spent over 10 years revitalising their old vineyards of native grapes, along with the estate buildings, into a now prosperous little Algarve estate once again.

The 21 Ha of vineyards grow on the sand-topped hills of the Arade river valley just south of the town of Silves. To the north lies the Monchique 1000m peak from which dry northerly winds often blow, while 10 kilometres southward the Arade estuary meets the Atlantic Ocean that sends up cooling sea breezes, mists and humidity. All this keeps conditions cool around the grapes while they ripen, conferring a freshness and vibrancy to the wines.

The next phase of the loving restoration is to implement regenerative viticulture practices and full organic certification, which they believe is key for the long term adaptation to climate change.

www.morgadodoquintao.pt

This video was taken by Raymond, and shows the view from the old-vine Crato Branco vineyard over to the Monchique hills.