Interview with Monte da Colónia

We had a chat with the friendly owner of Monte da Colónia, Manuela Pereira, who told us a little about the history of the company and the products they produce and commercialise. There was also time to taste a new red wine reference, which comes from the combination of the Touriga Nacional and Cabernet Sauvignon grape varieties. Soon to be available on the market and in our Franciscan Pantry!

Manuela, how and when did it all begin?

It all began in 1980 when the company was founded in these rich Alentejo lands of Herdade do Monte da Colónia, Vale de Seda, in the municipality of Fronteira, by my parents Manuel and Idalina Pereira, who, at the time, were extremely entrepreneurial and visionary in the way they saw the future. It was through this ambition, partnership and daily commitment that they built the family business that they are so proud of today, and which continues on its path through me and my brother António.

Having this legacy is an enormous responsibility...

Yes, having received this legacy from our parents was so exciting that continuing it was an act of enormous humility and gratitude. We have an authentic spirit and are audacious in the way we act, because every day we look for all the innovative processes on the market so that we can maintain and sustain all the business areas on the 1,000 hectares we own.

And what business areas are these?

Our business basically involves the production and processing of locally grown products, particularly olive oil, tinned olives and wines. We also have an area dedicated to raising cattle and sheep. 

Tell me a bit about your olive oil and how it's produced.

We currently have a highly modernised cold extraction mill, where we press not only olives from Monte da Colónia's 100 hectares of olive groves, but also from olive growers in the region.

We produce an average of 200,000 to 300,000 litres of olive oil per season, divided into three qualities - Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil e Virgin Olive Oil. The olives are processed on the day they are picked so that the quality standards remain unchanged. 

What about the wine business?

Success in winemaking has undoubtedly been one of the best rewards the family has received for taking risks, investing and believing in the whole process of business growth and innovation over the last 20 years. 

Of the 20 hectares occupied by vines of the varieties - Aragonez, Cabernet Sauvignon, Arinto.., Alicante BouschetOn average, we produce Castelão, Syrah, Trincadeira, Verdelho, Roupeiro and Touriga Nacional:

- 100,000 litres of red wine divided into various references - entry-level, Selected Harvest, Monocasta Syrah, Touriga Nacional, Escolha and Booking.

- 10,000 litres of Arinto white wine, Wardrobeamong others.

- 6,000 litres of Touriga Nacional rosé wine.

... and yet Sparkling wine which, combined with the soil, the climate, the unity and dedication of the family, its employees and the expertise of winemaker Rui Vieira, guarantee the fullness of Monte da Colónia wines. 

And what's still to come, Manuela?

Due to the evolution of our business in recent years, we felt the need to take another step forward and position ourselves for sustainable growth, making the most of all our company's resources and, above all, all the by-products resulting from our activity.

At the beginning of 2020, the company invested in the construction of a Distillery, where it will create a new line of products - Aguardentes, Abafados and Gin, which we hope to launch by the end of the year.

You can find all of Monte da Colónia's products in our pantry!