In 2008 we aquired a parcel of land on the foothills of Serra do Mendro, in the heart of Vidigueira, Alentejo, Portugal.

Minimum impact and maximum preservation, guide the tools used to express the identity of our land. We seek wines of character and identity, expressions of our climate of warm sunny days and cool breezy nights. Wines of Mediterranean shale soil, where low soil fertility, translate to complexity and minerality. Local varieties, well established. Wines of men, but with low intervention, with most respect for the elements and history.

The Natus vineyard was planted by hand, by us. The red varieties are Castelão, Alfrocheiro, Tinta Miúda and Trincadeira. These bush vines plantation, made without artificial support, respect the natural climbing behavior of the Vines.
White grapes are grown in pergola’s, 2 meters tall, allowing the grapes to mature in shade, and keep the natural acidity while full maturation occurs, and the alcohol potential is lower.

The green cover of the soil is controlled solely by mechanical intervention, without herbicides. The organic matter, left on location, will reintegrate its natural organic cycle.
The Natus vineyard is now in certified organic production mode, we do not use any type of pesticide, herbicide or insecticide.
By preserving local flora and fauna, we encourage the maintenance of essential biodiversity to provide the vineyard with the necessary resilience, while at the same time seeking to keep our auxiliaries active.

Today, we have two more plots of vineyards, which were acquired after years of study and monitoring.
Vineyards planted in soils with a hi water table, which allow for the maintenance of health and quality in dry farming production. Vineyards of native varieties, planted around 40 years ago on American rootstock that was later grafted locally.

In the Águas de Lebre (Hare Water) Vineyard, white grapes with Antão Vaz, Roupeiro, Trincadeira das Pratas and Perrum.
In the Ribeira (Creek) vineyard, red grapes with Castelão, Aragonez, Trincadeira and Tinta Grossa.
The process of researching and studying ancient vineyard plots, which serve our purpose, continues to this day.
Those acquired to date are already in the process of being converted to regenerative agriculture, where we hope to have Organic certification, within a maximum period of 4 years.

The wine cellar, built from scratch, and which we also call home, is simple.
In the centuries-old Alentejo Talhas (clay jars), Natus Tinto is obtained from delicate red musts, fermented in the absence of the grape’s skins. Preliminary maceration takes place in small 1,000kg capacity vats, where foot treading is repeated until alcoholic fermentation begins spontaneously. A vertical press separates the masses from the must and takes the must to the fermentation clay. The 12-month internship is then completed in used Barrels. At Natus Tinto, we seek delicacy combined with complexity, a wine of memory.

The 2 to 3 days of skin contact in the Natus Branco is followed by fermentation in Talhas (35%) and used oak (the remaining volume). At the end of alcoholic fermentation, the lees are stirred intensely and frequently until the desired mouthfeel is obtained. The wines are kept on lees throughout the remaining months of aging, which provides aging potential and complexity.

In the new Intus line, we seek the uniqueness and maximum purity of the grape produced in Vidigueira.
We deconstructed the winemaking process, maintaining all the stages and philosophy of the Natus line.
Intus only uses stainless steel tanks throughout the entire process. The wines, produced in a more neutral environment, maintain and safeguard the full expression of the grape. Very pure, fruity and highly fresh wines, are the final result of Intus.

As we travel back in time to a past era of Alentejo, we discover red wines with open color, greater freshness and elegance, and unctuous, dense, rich whites, and there resides our tribute to the region.

Natus is the result of dreams, work and a relentless will to be happy. Every day is meant to be savoured with intensity, passion and love for the vines and the wine. It is where we live, sleep and wake every day.

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Thank you and come back soon.
Hamilton Reis and family.