Encosta do Pinhal is a small-scale vineyard featuring 10 major traditional grape varieties. When blended, these varieties give each wine its own unique personality and character. At the estate, we cultivate and care for our vines with the utmost respect for the environment, and we harvest the grapes by hand. We have chosen to preserve the tradition of winemaking in amphorae (“talhas”), passed down since Antiquity.
A LEGACY OF GRAPE VARIETIES
THE RED GRAPES
ALICANTE BOUSCHET
Alicante Bouschet is a stateless variety, born from the marriage between the Petit Bouschet and Grenache grape varieties. It is one of the rare grape varieties in the world that can produce vigorous, rather tannic, well-structured and very colorful wines.
ARAGONEZ
Born among our Spanish neighbours, it is the Iberian grape variety par excellence. It is an early variety that ripens early, very productive and fruitful. Tending to have low acidity levels, it combines very well with Trincadeira and Alicante Bouschet.
TOURIGA NACIONAL
It is currently Portugal’s most celebrated grape variety, having conquered the entire Portuguese territory. It gives the wine dense, deep colours. Its floral or fruity aroma is always intense and explosive. It is mainly used in blends, bringing a unique aromatic richness.
CASTELÃO
Variety widely grown in Portugal, Spain, Argentina, ... the Castelão generally gives a colored wine, more or less rich in alcohol, very powerful, tannic with good acidity, and an aroma of spices.
TRINCADEIRA
The Trincadeira is particularly well suited to the warmest regions of the country. Particularly vigorous, it requires permanent vigilance, as well as extreme care in controlling production. This variety gives body to aromatic and fruity wines, tending towards the floral, sometimes with vegetal notes.
THE WHITE GRAPES
ANTÃO VAZ
Perfectly suited to the warm, sunny climate of the Alentejo plains, it is the region's main white grape variety. Wines made from this very late-ripening variety are highly aromatic, with mainly tropical fruit flavours
ARINTO
Arinto is a traditional Portuguese white grape variety. Characterised by its high acidity, it produces white wines with character and good keeping qualities, despite the hot climate. Aromatic, it develops a lemony, resinous bouquet with age.
FERNÃO PIRES
Fernão Pires is a white grape variety from north-west Portugal that is authorised for the production of a quality white wine.
RABO DE OVELHA
The name Rabo de Ovelha comes from the shape of its bunches. This vigorous white grape variety is grown mainly in the Douro, Dão, Alentejo and Ribatejo regions. Aromatic and high in alcohol, it gives wines a certain acidity, a pronounced minerality and floral aromas.
ROUPEIRO
Roupeiro (also known as Siria). A very old grape variety, it is very productive and highly resistant to diseases such as mildew. Wines made from this variety are fine, fresh and elegant.
