COLLECTION 01
Portugal’s Alentejo
We have selected these prominent producers that represent the best of Alentejo wine making
HERDADE DOS GROUS
Spanning across 1100 hectares in the heart of Alentejo, Herdade dos Grous is an oasis of vineyards, olive groves and cork forests. Infused with the unique rural traditions of the region, the rustic heritage inspired the winemakers to produce some of Portugal’s most highly regarded and prestigious wines. We proudly bring a selection of their very best to you.
LUIS DUARTE VINHOS
One of Portugal’s most prominent and respected winemakers, Luis Duarte has crafted some of the countries most heralded wines for over thirty years, through his own company and as consultant to some of Alentejo’s best producers. His family business is dedicated to producing elegant and fresh wines that express the authenticity and characteristics of the grape varieties chosen to create the meticulous blends. His wines are immaculately crafted, with superb aromatic profiles, great complexity and layers of complex spice. Our hand-picked selection of the best of Luis’ wines are a superb introduction to the brand.
HERDADE ALDEIA DE CIMA
At an altitude of 424 metres above sea level, Herdade Aldeia de Cima has a unique geological heritage. It is home to the Alentejo’s first traditional terraced vineyard. Agricultural practices in the 2400-hectare estate require little intervention. Here, 36 micro terroirs comprise 11 indigenous grape varieties. With its unique biodiversity, Herdade Aldeia de Cima’s glorious wines are designed in the vineyard.
The wines are truly exceptional.
Textures, the mineral content of the soils, antiquity and tradition are the aims of the project. Origin Wines is proud to offer the complete range.
MOUCHÃO
One of Portugal’s most respected wineries. Built in 1901, the layout and operation have remained practically unchanged since its inception. At Mouchao, all aspects of winemaking are still conducted using age old traditional methods from that time. Grapes are still handpicked and foot-trodden. Red musts are manually pressed in low yielding, century old basket presses. Whole-bunch fermentation in open Lagares (open stone troughs) imparts the signature style of the estates famous reds.
Dozens of century old wooden vats and a large wood-fired copper still all continue to be used to this day. Half of the grapes produced on the property are the noble variety, Alicante Bouschet, which thrives in the deep, alluvial well drained soils of the valley floor. Other varieties include Trincadeira, Aragonez, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Syrah. Indigenous white varieties include Antao Vaz and Arinto.
Of the estates 900 hectares, only 45 of the most fertile have been dedicated to viticulture, best expressing the exceptional terroir. Origin Wines is proud to offer Mouchao’s complete range.
A region of rolling plains that stretches across Portugal
As a wine-producing country, one of Portugal’s great strengths is its diversity. At one extreme lie the fresh, light, zippy Vinho Verde wines from the damp, green, northern Minho, and at the other there are the rich, concentrated red wines from the warmer Alentejo in the south, with a whole spectrum of flavours in between. The Alentejo is where Portugal’s climate finally escapes the Atlantic influence, and the scenery changes to large, gently undulating plains that experience hot summers and cold winters more typical of continental weather systems.
The marriage of old-world wines and cork is nowhere more prominent than in Alentejo. The abundant cork forests share the land and are symbiotic with the vines, forming a huge production for the world.