Morgado do Quintão shows its commitment to not only sustainable production practices but also to preserving local grape varieties and boosting the region’s reputation
Morgado do Quintão wine estate recently received the official certification, making it “the largest organic vineyard in the region”. The producer took this opportunity to highlight the significance of transitioning to more environmentally friendly wine-making practices.
The owner of Morgado do Quintão, Filipe Caldas de Vasconcellos, emphasises the estate’s commitment to the land and outlook for the region’s future, having progressed from a small family vineyard to a well-established wine project.
The vineyard, which dates back to the 17th century, is also promoting the region as a centre for premium wines with unique characteristics, known for its blending of tradition and innovation, producing authentic and distinctive premium terroir wines and protecting the Negra Mole and Crato Branco grapes.
Since its inaugural harvest in 2016, the Silves vineyard has been striving for organic certification with its innovative approach.
“This is the best way to uphold our heritage and make a meaningful contribution to the future. We are committed to more than just our vineyards; we focus on promoting sustainable agriculture and raising awareness among all, recognising its essential role in current times,” Caldas de Vasconcellos explains.
Its 23 hectares of vines have all been certified, with 70% being dryland and 15 hectares consisting of old vines (some of the oldest in the region). The vineyard area includes 10 grape varieties with a historical presence in the area.
Morgado do Quintão focuses on implementing practices that “are customised to the climate and soil of the region, leading to increased resilience, greater biodiversity in the ecosystem and soil, and improved grape quality”, according to Amândio Cruz, who leads the viticulture team.
The project’s winemaker, Joana Maçanita, emphasises the use of “top agricultural practices and local grape varieties, along with minimal intervention in winemaking, to produce authentic, distinctive, and refined wines” that reflect the Algarve.
The estate’s tourism operations also reflect a commitment to sustainability. The dedicated team cultivates vegetables for internal consumption, practices composting, manages water responsibly, and there are plans for a future solar energy project.
The Algarve already has around 1,400 hectares of vineyards, half of which are allocated to PGI and DOC quality wines, making it an increasingly important wine region for the economy. Morgado do Quintão’s certified vineyard represents less than 1% of the Algarve’s total vineyards, which is why encouraging sustainable practices is essential.
“We can create exceptional wines and provide memorable experiences while taking care of the land that sustains us – the Algarve,” concludes Filipe Caldas de Vasconcellos.
All Morgado do Quintão wines will be certified organic starting with the 2024 harvest.
Article originally published by Alexandra Stilwell on Portugal Resident.
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