Quinta De Chocapalha Winery Guide
One of the best-kept secrets in Portugal today and certainly one of our favorite wineries, Quinta De Chocapalha, has been at the forefront of the Portuguese revolution in winemaking. Modern, fruit-driven wine styles are the order of the day here, all made in probably the least famous wine region in Portugal. Long associated with high-volume production and indifferent wine, Quinta De Chocapalha has proven what can be done in the region Estremadura (now renamed Lisboa), an appellation north of that more famous capital city.
Despite its decidedly modern approach to winemaking, Quinta De Chocapalha is undoubtedly not short on history. The property has enjoyed a succession of nobility, passed to the Scottish noble Diogo Duff in the 15th century. Duff was no fool, and he kept the estate in his family for centuries, each generation enjoying the spoils of this grand Quinta. Wine has grown on the property since the 16th century. Then, in the 1980s, Alice and Paulo Tavares da Silva fell in love with Chocapalha and decided this was the place to realize their winemaking dream. They have invested heavily in the property and have worked monumentally hard to raise the quality and reputation of their wines.
In 2000, the proud owners were finally satisfied they had achieved that benchmark and started bottling the Quinta de Chocapalha wines. Now, this small, family-run estate produces some of the best wines in Portugal today, with the Cabernet Sauvignon, the notable star in the pack. Visitors are never disappointed, with the privileged location between the rolling hills of Estremadura and the beautifully renovated Quinta, not to mention some delectable wines.
Wines produced
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Chocapalha Reserva Red
55% Touriga Nacional, 30% Tinta Roriz, 15% Syrah. Fermented in robotic lagares. Aged for 20 months in 90% new French oak. -
Cabernet Sauvignon
100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Fermented in robotic lagares. Aged for 18 months in 50% new French oak. -
Chocapalha Red
30% Tinta Roriz, 30% Castelão, 20% Touriga Nacional, 15% Syrah and 5% Alicante Bouschet. Fermented in robotic lagares and pressed in stainless steel. Aged for 18 months in French oak. -
Vinha Da Palha
60% Castelão, 30% Tinta Roriz, 10% Syrah and 5% Alicante Bouschet. Fermented and aged in stainless steel. A fresh, unoaked style of red wine. -
Quinta de Chocapalha White
50% Arinto, 40% Viosinho and 10% Vital. Fermented and aged in stainless steel. Left on its lees for 6 months to add richness. -
Quinta de Chocapalha White Reserva
65% Chardonnay, 35% Viosinho. Chardonnay fermented in French oak barrels, aged in oak for 6 months. Whereas the Viosinho is fermented in stainless steel and left on its lees for 6 months. The resulting blend is a complex, structured wine. -
Arinto
100% Arinto. Fermented in stainless steel and left on its lees for 6 months to add richness.
Facts & Figures
Appellation
Vinhos de Lisboa
Founded
1980's
Area under Vine
45 Hectares
Age of vines
up to 100 years
Oak barrel origin
French
Winemaker
Sandra Tavares
Owner
Tavares Da Silva family
Production
100,000 bottles per annum
Grape varietals
Touriga Nacional, Touriga Roriz, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Castelao, Alicante Bouschet, Arinto, Vital, Viosinho, Chardonnay.
Grape Varieties Used by the Winery
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Arinto
Arinto is a versatile white wine grape variety known for its crisp acidity, citrus, green apple flavors, and a mineral finish
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Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape varietal native to the Burgundy wine region in France and one of the most popular varieties worldwide.
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Viosinho
Learn all about the Vioshino grape, its rich history, unique flavor profile, and food pairings. Don't miss out on this exciting grape variety! 🍇🍷 #VioshinoGrape
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Alicante Bouschet
Alicant Bouschet is a red wine grape popular in the Alentejo located in Southern Portugal. It's a cross of Petite Bouschet and Grenache grapes.
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Cabernet Sauvignon
Discover the irresistible allure of Cabernet Sauvignon—a worldwide favorite with robust, dark-bodied flavor. Unleash your wine journey today!
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Castelao (Periquita)
Discover the exquisite taste and rich history of Periquita grapes in our comprehensive guide. Learn about their unique characteristics and ideal growing conditions.
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Syrah
Syrah is dark-skinned and perhaps the most underrated of the 'noble' red grape varieties.
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Tinta Roriz (Aragonês)
Discover the versatile grape: Spain's Tempranillo, and in Portugal, Aragonês and Tinta Roriz (Douro Valley). Embrace the rich cultural tapestry of this beloved varietal.
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Touriga Nacional
Touriga Nacional red varietal is a dark-skinned grape predominately grown in Douro and Dão. In the Douro, it is used as a blending grape in Port wines.
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Winery Contact Details
Quinta De Chocapalha
Casa Agricola das Mimosas2580 – 081 Aleia Galega da Merceana
Portugal
Tel +35 (0) 263 769 317
Fax +35 (0) 263 769 316 Find out more
More information
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