The vines thrive in the Aljento with its hot summer days but cool nights. The winegrowers mainly produce red wines there, but there are also a few fresh and aromatic white wines.
Wine speaks for itself, of course, but to discover the wines of the Alejento region, we preferred to do a tasting at the Fitapreta estate near Evora. Alexandra Leroy, wife of winemaker Antonio Maçanita, is French, which was very convenient for us.
To access the buildings, an old 14th century castle and the new building which houses the cellars, the offices and the tasting area, you have to report to the gate and follow a long path through the vineyards, lined with olive trees and cork oaks.
"The estate is relatively young," says Alexandra, whose husband Antonio worked in the agro-industry in Australia and France before "returning home". The Alentejo is his mother's land and it is there that he got it into his head to make his own wine "even though he had neither land, nor vines, nor cellars and no wine knowledge," smiles Alexandra . What has changed a lot since then and the young winemaker quickly found his way into the Portuguese viticulture community, thanks to the quality of his wines, his acquired and in-depth knowledge, his real passion for the different grape varieties, his enthusiasm and his dynamism. In 2018 he was named winemaker of the year by the specialized magazine Revistas dos Vinhos, and in 2021 the entire estate was named estate of the year.
A success that he owes to the meeting with the English wine consultant David Booth which allows him to acquire the necessary knowledge and know-how. A common passion for wine and a great friendship led them in 2014 to make their first wine.
"As we did not have a domain, the vinification of Preta was done in other domains". Alexandra is obviously involved in this adventure and takes care of wine tourism and events. She also offers a wide range of activities and events at the family estate.
Alexandra is also at the origin of an organic vegetable garden and an orchard which provides fruit and vegetables for the team's meals.
It is with great serenity that she follows the projects carried out by her husband in the Azores (his father's land), in the Douro (with his sister), and on the island of Porto Santo near Madeira.
“He likes to take up challenges, save native grape varieties, reveal forgotten grape varieties. His wine philosophy is divided into three lines: a classic range with local wines, a range in barrels, and the Preta range which is more experimental. This is how the château's cellar is dedicated to the estate's white wines. Wines ferment in a few amphorae from 1930 to rediscover tertiary aromas. The barrels are made of French oak."
After visiting the estate, the tasting is done around a beautiful platter of cheeses and charcuterie from the region.
"Our wines reflect the character of the Alentejo; they want to be a dialogue betwen the past and the future."
Thus, Gama Classica, the classic range, represents the winemakers vision of the Alentejo.
With the Signature Series, Antonio Maçanita allows himself to experiment and produce unusual but remarquable wines.
The vines of the Chao dos Eremtias range, over 50 years old, are planted in an highly emblematic place. "These wines reflect the past of the Alentejo", explains Alexandra.
Ah yes, why the name Sexy: “At the time of the first vinification in 2004, we had to find a name for our wine, a name that set it apart from the others”, smiles Alexandra. Sexy, quite a tasting promise!
