"The first reference we have about Espirra Estate is from José Maria dos Santos (1832-1913), former owner and a visionary farmer…”
The first reference we have about Espirra Estate is from José Maria dos Santos (1832-1913), former owner and a visionary Portuguese farmer responsible for the plantation, by the end of the 19th century, in the Setúbal Peninsula Region, of the largest contiguous vineyard planted in the World, amounting to 2.400 hectares.
Later, in 1872, the whole vineyard was destroyed by the Phylloxera epidemic and, for that reason, reconverted into forestry plantations.
The current owner of Espirra Estate, Portucel, acquired the propriety in 1985, restructured the existing vineyard and reinstated the social facilities which were in an advanced state of deterioration, including the cellar, thus giving the right conditions to take on the wine production with high rigour and professionalism. Hence a new company emerged, Sociedade de Vinhos da Herdade de Espirra, with the purpose of producing and selling Espirra, respecting plantations and the traditional practices of the region.
"VINEYARD WITH MORE THAN 30 YEARS OF AGE AND INTEGRATED PRODUCTION METHODS, MAINLY OF CASTELÃO VARIETY, TRADITIONAL PLANTATION..."
Vineyard aged over 30 years and integrated production methods, mainly of Castelão variety, traditional plantation methods of the Region, bestowing unique and genuine features to the wines produced.
The 37 hectares of vineyard in the sandy soils of Espirra Estate live in close harmony with other agroforestry plantations, such as the production of cork, the production of pine nut, grazing land, forest-tree nurseries and productions of wood, covering a total surface of 1.700 hectares.
"IN THE VINEYARD PREVAILS THE CASTELÃO VARIETY. THE FRENCH PIERRE GALET, ONE OF THE MOST RENOWN VINE VARIETY RESEARCHERS IN THE WORLD..."
In the Vineyard the Castelão variety prevails.
The French Pierre Galet, one of the most renown researchers of vine varieties in the world in the 20th century, reported the origin of this vine variety in Spain where it could have been known in the past as Tinta de Castella.
Nowadays, Castelão variety is considered to have originated from the South of Portugal.
Being particularly resilient to heat and water stress, Castelão variety is found and grows in warm climates, in dry sandy soils, producing high quality wines of warm aromas and hints of berries and tannins with a good aging capacity.
Despite the fact that all the wines are produced mainly from Castelão variety, recently some new varieties were introduced – Aragonez, Touriga Nacional and Alicante Bouschet – in order to make the wine tasting a much more intense experience.
"Acquired by Portucel in 1985, Espirra Estate is located in the Pegões Region about 50 km south of Lisbon...."
Acquired by Portucel in 1985, Espirra Estate located in the Pegões Region about 50 km south of Lisbon, is a diverse space concerning the soil occupation. Right after the main entrance stands out the social area, with the meeting room, the offices, the house, the cellar and the warehouse.
The buildings of this “typical Alentejo estate” are integrated in the landscape in full harmony with the Regions’ architecture which is fully clear in the wines imagery.
Espirra Estate is a propriety perfectly attuned with nature, managed sustainably and in full respect for the rules in force and adequately controlled by the competent authorities which allow the wines produced to use the designation Vineyard with Integrated Production Methods.