Cartaxo estate with red and white grape plantings, Eiffel atelier architecture and wine production on the property.
The producer
Quinta da Fonte Bela is a one hundred year old property in Vila Chã de Ourique, Cartaxo, with DFJ Vinhos offices, a winemaking centre, bottling line, warehouses, laboratory and visitor tasting room. Its vineyards are planted with Alicante Bouschet, Shiraz, Tannat, Moscatel and Sauvignon Blanc. The former cellars now age wine in French oak barriques, while an on site cooperage renovates French Allier barriques, the only oak barrel type used at DFJ.
Known for
Cartaxo vineyard and wine production
Notable facts
Quinta da Fonte Bela's winery was completed in 1897.
Quinta da Fonte Bela has a water treatment centre.
The estate has a solar plant that generates energy.
DFJ's on site cooperage renovates French Allier barriques, the only oak barrel type used at DFJ.
The story
The First Winery Building
At Quinta da Fonte Bela, António Francisco Ribeiro Ferreira took advantage of engineers from the Eiffel atelier working in Portugal and commissioned plans for the centre of the estate's agricultural activity. The first building was the winery, completed in 1897. The property's exterior architecture is characteristic of southern France and unique in Portugal. The commission brought together a named owner, an engineering team connected to the Eiffel atelier and a winery that became the estate's first completed building.
The First Winery Building
At Quinta da Fonte Bela, António Francisco Ribeiro Ferreira took advantage of engineers from the Eiffel atelier working in Portugal and commissioned plans for the centre of the estate's agricultural activity. The first building was the winery, completed in 1897. The property's exterior architecture is characteristic of southern France and unique in Portugal. The commission brought together a named owner, an engineering team connected to the Eiffel atelier and a winery that became the estate's first completed building.
From the atlas
Quinta da Fonte Bela
Quinta da Fonte Bela is a Cartaxo estate with Eiffel atelier architecture, named red and white grape plantings, and wine production on the property.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Location
Vila Chã de Ourique, Cartaxo
Grape varieties
Alicante Bouschet, Shiraz, Tannat, Moscatel and Sauvignon Blanc
Producer
DFJ Vinhos
Winery capacity
13.3 million litres
Facilities
Winery, bottling line, warehouses, laboratory and visitor tasting room
Farming regime
Integrated Production, a sustainable agriculture regime
The Producer
Quinta da Fonte Bela gathers vineyards, winemaking and visitor facilities on one property. DFJ Vinhos has its offices and winemaking centre there, alongside a bottling line, warehouses, laboratory and visitor tasting room. José Neiva Correia founded DFJ Vinhos in 1998, and DFJ is a family firm.
The estate has 50 hectares planted with Alicante Bouschet, Shiraz, Tannat, Moscatel and Sauvignon Blanc. Production on DFJ's estates follows Integrated Production, a sustainable agriculture regime. An on site cooperage renovates French Allier barriques, the only oak barrel type used at DFJ.
Place
Vila Chã de Ourique places Quinta da Fonte Bela in Cartaxo, 80 kilometres north of Lisbon and five kilometres west of the Tagus River. It is a one hundred year old property. Its exterior architecture is characteristic of southern France and unique in Portugal.
Wines
Quinta da Fonte Bela's named grape plantings divide into red and white varieties. Alicante Bouschet, Shiraz and Tannat are red grapes, while Moscatel and Sauvignon Blanc are white grapes. Red grapes contribute colour and tannin through their skins. White grapes are usually pressed with less skin contact, preserving acidity and aroma.
The five varieties cover two wine families, from deeply coloured reds with dark fruit and tannin to aromatic whites carried by acidity.
Final Word
Quinta da Fonte Bela is a Cartaxo property with named red and white grape plantings and an estate complex that includes vineyard, winery, bottling line, barrel renovation, laboratory and tasting room.