We were visiting Quinta da Fonte Souto, located on the slopes of the Serra de S. Mamede, in the Portalegre region. We were welcomed by Mário Parada, one of the group's wine tourism managers, who gave us a guided tour of the estate and it was among the vineyards that we chatted and realised the enormous wine potential that this property has.
The property belongs to the Symington Family Estates Group, a family of British origin that has lived and worked in Portugal since the 19th century. one of the leading producers of premium Port wine, the main owner of vineyards in the Douro Valley and one of the leading producers of Portuguese wines. This family business, run by the 4th and 5th generations, is based on a deep commitment to the people of Portugal, their land and their wines. Today there are 10 family members working in the company, committed to producing the best Ports and wines and building on the achievements of previous generations. The acquisition of Fonte Souto in 2017 was the family's first property outside the Douro region, as they realised the enormous potential of this region of the Alentejo.
This property is located in the heart of the Serra de S. Mamede National Park, between 490 and 550 metres above sea level. It covers 207 hectares, 42 of which are planted with vines. The main grape varieties are Aragonês, Alfrocheiro, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Quinta da Fonte Souto benefits from excellent conditions, cooler than most of the Alentejo plains and with higher levels of rainfall. The soils are schist and granite, providing lower yields of excellent quality grapes from mature vines.
With strong ties to the local community, they adapt to local culture and traditions. They appreciate detail and don't like to rush anything in order to guarantee the highest quality of their products.
The farm also has a traditional farmhouse and a wide variety of wooded areas, such as cherry groves, olive groves, chestnut trees and cork oaks. They are currently regenerating 100 hectares of forest on the estate with native Portuguese tree species, with the aim of providing a haven for biodiversity and resistance to forest fires.
We invite all readers to get to know this fantastic estate and the stories behind the wines, to taste these nectars in the cellar and to take advantage of the whole area for a walk with family or friends, enjoying the unique sights and sounds of this estate. At Despensa Franciscana we had the opportunity to try some of the estate's wines and we were amazed at the high quality of the products that this group has managed to achieve in the Alentejo.
Contacts:
Quinta da Fonte Souto
State of Alegrete
Reguengo and São Julião
7300-404 Portalegre
Tel: +351 910104292
reservas@fontesouto.com
www.fontesouto.com
