Torre de Palma Reserva Red 2021

Herdade da Torre de Palma is located at the heart of the Alto Alentejo wine region, more specifically in Monforte, Portalegre. This project is focused on the production of signature wines, such as their blend of Arinto and Alvarinho varietals. These wines respect the terroir in which they have grown and are mostly handcrafted, separated into small lots.

The Past and the Present
Torre de Palma history is rich and worth reading. Masters of the Avis Order, members of Portugal’s royal dynasty and even a post-revolution agricultural cooperative have been part of the estate’s history.

But let us start from the beginning. The first period coincides with the 1^st century AC when the Romans inhabited these lands – where they stayed until 5^th century. These were the times of the powerful Basilii family, wealthy landowners dedicated to the production of wine and olive oil as well as the breeding of horses. It is believed that the Lusitano horse had its origin in the estate. The Basilii’s, were considered an intellectually superior family, also interested in culture, lefted in the property three of the largest tri-dimensional mosaic in the Iberian Peninsula, current exhibited at the National Archaeology Museum in Lisbon: the Horse, the Muse and the Bacchus Procession.

The second period starts in 1277 when the Avis Order established itself in the region. In 1338, the estate became part of the Crown of Portugal for over 500 years. Only in 1863 a wealthy merchant of Lisbon, Jacinto da Silva Falcão, buys and rents it to family Costa Pinto for about 80 years. The family deeply involved in agriculture, namely in th growing of cereals, production of olive oil and livestock. Locals sometimes refer to an expression that is supposed to have been used at the time: “you will receive what it from palma”, to designate what was the fairest price, given the renowned family´s honorableness.

From a post-occupation 1974 revolution to the present day, the third phase of the story begins with the 1974 revolution, after the Costa Pinto family leave in December 1073 and its subsequent occupation by the workers. These lands become so the first collective production plant in Alentejo being delivered to employees for several years.

After this period a court dispute starts, culminating in 2007, and later purchased by the current owners of Torre de Palma – Ana Isabel Rebelo and Paulo Barradas Rebelo. Paulo’s mother origins are rooted in this part of Alentejo and they always had a strong connection with these lands. Isabel e Paulo decided to start these project as exactly the same purpose as it had original: to be a working site, where wine and olive oil are produced, horses are bred and guests are welcomed to stay in a house with many thousands years of history.

Vineyard
They have planted 7 different varietals in 7 hectares of a light clay soil with a touch of limestone, schist, sandstone and marble. The vineyard is influenced by the harsh climate of the São Mamede hills, namely wide temperature variations - which are of paramount importance to extend grapes’ maturation period. The rugged soil and the vineyard’s position allow for a strong natural ventilation. To put it simply, we have the perfect conditions to produce unique wines in line with the surrounding nature.
White varietals: Arinto, Alvarinho and Antão Vaz
Red varietals: Touriga Nacional, Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet and Tinta Miúda

Winemaker
Duarte de Deus, an enologist in love with Alto Alentejo, found in Torre de Palma a challenging project, full of history and symbolism. In the vineyards, he identified the small parcels and the bedrock in order to make the most of each variety. In the winery, he believes that only with minimal intervention great wines are produced that reveal, over time, the full potential of the region.