The classic Alentejo

There is an Alentejo that does not look like Alentejo. It does not contain the traditional features of the plains to be lost sight of or the roads to rip right the "montado". In this Alentejo, in this North Alentejo, the green is greener. And cooler.

It is a towering Alentejo with a captivating geological fusion, with Beira Baixa right there, and at the same time, it presses Portugal against Spain, on the other side. It is a transitional fusion region in which there are the altitude and the thermal amplitude that, together with a unique soil composition, creates one of the most exotic terroirs in the country for the maturation of first-line vineyards.

On the slope of the Serra de São Mamede, a hill is built on a massif and rustic granite, and an old vineyard stretches over 100 years old. Located in Frangoneiro, on the outskirts of Portalegre, in Alto Alentejo, is the Tapada do Chaves, a property that as given origin to wines of recognized quality for 100 years.

With 60 hectares of land and 32 hectares of vineyards, 23 of which are grapes of red grapes and nine hectares of white grape varieties, Tapada do Chaves is located in an area heavily influenced by the landscape (Serra de São Mamede) agro-forestry that gives it a specific and decisive microclimate for the quality and typicality of the wines produced there.

 

Tapada do Chaves

Associated with a strong family tradition and a history of passion and dedication to the land, Tapada do Chaves wines originate in the vineyards of the property that gives them the name, aged between 116 and 113 years old, with grape varieties such as Trincadeira, Aragonez, Castelão, Tinta Francesa, Alicante Bouschet, Moreto and Grand Noir and white grapes Fernão Pires, Arinto, Alva, Tamarez, Assario, Vale Grosso and Uva Formosa.

It's history dates back to the beginning of the 20th century when, in the Frangoneiro, Mr. Chaves, planted the first vineyards on his small property (Tapada), starting a relationship of passion and dedication to the land.

In Tapada do Chaves, there are two of the oldest vineyards in Alentejo, in production, registered in the last years of 1901 (old vintages) and 1903 (old white vines).
 
At the end of the 1980's, when Portalegre was recognized as a region of "Indication of Regulated Provenance" capable of producing VQPRD (Quality Wine Produced in a Specific Region) along with Borba, Redondo, Reguengos and Vidigueira, a privileged place among the Alentejo wine brands.

It was also thanks to the excellence of the wines "Tapada do Chaves" and to its recognition that it was due to the affirmation of the Alentejo as a producer region of quality wines that today more than justify the Protected Denomination of Origin.

The winery allows to combine the traditional techniques of vinification with the most modern technologies, guaranteeing quality and typicality to its wines. Due to its structure and construction, all work is done by gravity, avoiding excessive pumping operations, gently extracting only the grapes that benefit the wine.

In their basement they the red wines age in Portuguese and French oak barrels.

 

Share