Cabeças do Reguengo Vira Cabeças Branco 2021

In February 2009, João Afonso and his family acquired a small farm of 6 hectares in the Natural Park of Serra de S. Mamede. It is located in the amphitheater of the village of Reguengo at an altitude of 600 meters, looking south and Alentejo at lose sight of The property has 3.9 hectares of very old vineyard (in 1932 already existed) divided between plots of white grapes (16) and red grapes (12), all mixed and consociated with olive groves (which does not allow Alentejo DOC wine production) .

Biodiversity and ecology are the engines of the project: the current type of agriculture is organic (Ecocert certification) and the aim is to practice biodynamic agriculture at 100% in the next 3 years. All agricultural work - in the treatment and maintenance of soils and plants - is manual.

Professional ballet dancer Joao Afonso received a book on making wine from his wife in 1983, and since then "he never again stopped thinking about wine but stopped thinking about pirouettes." In 2009, when he found the century-old vineyards at the base of the Serra de Sao Mamede the agritourism estate of Cabecas do Reguengo was born. Rather than pulling all the vines and replanting, the vineyards are being restored by grafting new vines in to replace those which are no longer able to produce fruit. Mixing several different varieties of vines together in the traditional square formations helps to unify the influences of sun, rain, soil, and wind creating a singular microclimate.The vineyards are surrounded by olive tree groves and native fruit trees which are acclimatised to the hot, dry summers of Alentejo. Vegetable gardens dot the property, and sheep and chickens roam, all in the interest in creating a biodiverse & harmonious growing environment conducive to organic farming.

This blend of native grapes is hand-harvested from several small, centuries-old plots. Natural fermentation is used, and the wine is aged for 12 months in very old, large oak casks. This wine is unfined and unfiltered, intended to express the teroir of Serra de Sao Mamede. The honeyed character is punctuated by flavors of baked pears and apples. Orange and chamomile and just a touch of creaminess on the finish will pair well with clams in a cream sauce.

A tremendous, classy and rich wine with lots of melon and honey shining through. Deep in flavour but with amazing freshness as the acidity and minerality leaves a long lasting finish. It is particularly well matched with white wine sauces with intense herbs such as marjoram and tarragon. Wonderful with warm root vegetables as well as with creamy textured cheeses.

Hand-picked harvest from 24th to 27th of August. Grapes crushed, pressed, and must decanted.
Natural fermentation and ageing for 15 months in Estonian and French oak barrels . With malolactic. Bottled November 14th 2023 without finning.