Maroteira Vinhos

Herdade da Maroteira is a family estate of 330 acres in the foothills of the Serra d'Ossa, near the town of Redondo in the Alentejo. The same Anglo-Portuguese family has owned it for more than five generations, since the mid-19th century. Robert Reynolds first invested in its cork oak forest to supply the Port wine industry, and for about 150 years the estate lived mainly from cork and livestock.

In 2000 the current owner and manager, Philip Mollet, began to plant vineyards. Today 22 hectares of red grapes grow on calcareous clay soils: Syrah, Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional and Aragonez. The vineyards are dry farmed with a sustainable approach, all work is done by hand, and every September the grapes are picked at night, in the coolest hours. About 45 more hectares in other parts of the Alentejo supply the white grapes and some of the red grapes.

Designed in 2017, the winery stands in Redondo and covers 2,000 square metres. It combines modern technology, French and American oak barrels and the skill of the oenology team.

For a traveller, Maroteira is a chance to see a working Alentejo farm. Dirt roads cross the cork and holm oak forest, where cork is still harvested by hand and black Iberian pigs feed on acorns in autumn and winter. Walks and 4x4 tours lead through the forest and vineyards, with views of the Serra d'Ossa, and tastings pair the wines with Iberian pork and local cheese.

At Herdade da Maroteira the work in vineyard and cellar follows sustainable practices that protect the soil and biodiversity, with as little intervention as possible. The grapes are picked by hand at night into small 20 kg crates and taken to the winery, which can vinify up to 300,000 litres.

Syrah was the first grape planted on the estate. Mil Reis Syrah is a Grande Reserva made only in excellent years. It ages 18 months in French and American oak and 6 months in bottle, and is deep and robust, with intense red fruit and a long finish. Cem Reis Syrah comes from the best Syrah lots of each year and ages 16 months in oak. It is dark violet, with blackberry flavours and a round, firm structure.

The Dez Tostões range shows the character of the Alentejo. The red blends Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez, Touriga Nacional and Syrah and ages 12 months in oak. It is round, fruity and jammy. The white is 100% Antão Vaz, fresh and round, and the rosé, based on Syrah, is pale, fresh and elegant.

Senhor Doutor is the personal project of Philip Mollet, from a vineyard a few kilometres away planted only with traditional varieties. Inspired by old-style Portuguese wines, it is made with modern precision. The red is 100% Touriga Nacional, aged 16 months in new French oak, with notes of bergamot, liquorice and leather. The white is a field blend of Antão Vaz, Arinto, Verdelho and Roupeiro, picked together when all varieties are ripe.