Between the slopes of the Montejunto Mountain facing south and west and the Tagus river banks, the vineyards form large continuous patches, protected from the wet and cold winds of the Atlantic by natural barriers. The lands, densely farmable, favor the maturation of the grapes and the production of more concentrated wines.In the Alenquer (the crib village) region, one can travel through the most typical West rural villages, with their whitewashed windmills and houses, interspersed by imposing manor houses and a monumental group of Churches and Convents of great historical value.
The Alenquer Region was once known in the Portuguese and European courts for its great wines, having reached their peak during the London Exhibition of 1890. It is currently back in the top of the international scene, thanks to the efforts of the present local producers - the famous ' Alenquer Estates', where our Quinta do Pinto is included - who have been playing a relevant role in valuing and dignifying the regional wines.
Surrounding the house and the winery, the vineyards create the illusion of being an extension of this structure, in perfect harmony with the surrounding landscape. Every glance at the property is a reminder of the traditional winemaking philosophy taken very seriously at our estate - ' wine is made in the vineyard.
The founder of Quinta do Pinto is António Cardoso Pinto and his love for this property started when he first visited it. The house’s style - 17th century, close to a masonry winery - the richness of the soils with their southern exposure- benefiting from the Atlantic influence – and the history of the quality of the wines produced there were decisive for choosing this place to build the ambitious family project. The owners’ passion for wine and their bond to the land – generated over five generations connected to winemaking and agriculture - were the foundation for the enthusiasm and dedication of all the Family to this project.
Rita, the eldest daughter, is the project’s manager. She relies on her two brothers, Ana and Francisco, for decisions concerning the choice of blends, for wine fairs and tastings, and for the development of the project.
Since the beginning, Quinta do Pinto has been an advocate of minimal intervention to maximize the potential of the grapes created in this terroir while minimizing any other intervention, according to the traditional winemaking philosophy “the wine is made in the vineyard ”.With the awareness of sustainable agriculture, we are certified as integrated production as we have the greatest respect for the land and nature.
Thus, they practice precision sustainable viticulture with several test fields where they optimize defoliation tests, abolish herbicides, improve pruning techniques, weeding systems, forms of organic fertilization, lawns, etc. Actions aimed at contributing to a more sustainable viticulture. Initially used in wine-growing areas with humid climates, such as the region where Quinta do Pinto is located, in order to reduce soil moisture and consequently the vigor of the vines.
All grapes are vinified in the same way, with the aim of maximizing the quality with which they enter the winery. Based on fermentations by indigenous yeasts (natural fermentations), acidity adjustments by blending and the least intrusive practices possible, all by-products resulting from winemaking are monetized. The stalks are used for fertilization and animal feed, and the skins and lees are sent to a distillery with the consequent obtaining of brandy. In this way, the deposition of solid waste into the environment is avoided.
The continuous sheet of vineyards hosts 19 red and white, national (the regional taking priority) and international grape varieties that blend in a singular and harmonious way to generate wines which are a faithful expression of their terroir.
The delicate way of working these varieties, through varied and innovative blends that respect the identity and authenticity of each one has been the big differentiating factor of the Quinta do Pinto project.
The diversity of the soils, and including from plot to plot – a strong asset of the property - allowed for the judicious and progressive selection of the 19 types of grapes planted in 53 acres.Namely:
- National Grape Varieties: Arinto, Fernão Pires, Antão Vaz, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Miúda and Castelão, Aragonez, Tinta Barroca and Alfrocheiro
- International Grape Varieties: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris
