Family estate in Aldeia Galega da Merceana, with Portuguese and international grapes, plot by plot harvests, and wines led by Vinha Mãe and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The producer
Quinta de Chocapalha is a family estate at Aldeia Galega da Merceana, in Lisboa, with vineyards among hills extending toward the Tagus River. The property grows Portuguese and international white and red varieties on clay and limestone soils that are predominantly clay. Harvesting is carried out variety by variety and plot by plot. The Chocapalha range includes white and red wines, blends and single grape bottles from older vines and specific parcels, including Vinha Mãe and Cabernet Sauvignon. Sandra Tavares is chief winemaker.
Known for
Older vine and parcel wines
Notable facts
The family project began in 1987.
The estate covers 70 hectares, with 46 hectares planted with vines.
The first wines under the Chocapalha label were bottled from the 2000 harvest.
Sandra Tavares is chief winemaker, with Miguel Cavaco in winemaking and António Geraldes Cardoso in viticulture.
The story
The First Chocapalha Bottles
In the 2000 harvest, Quinta de Chocapalha began vinifying the estate's best grapes after the vines had reached maturity and the desired quality. The first wines under the Chocapalha label were bottled from that harvest. The estate had begun as Alice and Paulo's family project in 1987. Wine tourism followed in 2002, adding visits and experiences to the estate's work with its own wines.
From the atlas
Quinta de Chocapalha
A Lisboa family estate in Aldeia Galega da Merceana, with Portuguese and international grape varieties and a range built from older vines and specific parcels.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Region
Lisboa, Portugal
Village
Aldeia Galega da Merceana
Estate
70 hectares, with 46 hectares planted with vines
Grapes
Portuguese and international white and red varieties
Signature wines
Vinha Mãe and Cabernet Sauvignon
Defining feature
Harvesting by grape variety and vineyard plot
The Producer
The first wines under the Chocapalha label were bottled from the estate's best grapes in the 2000 harvest. The family project began in 1987, when Alice and Paulo were looking for a property where they could make wine.
Quinta de Chocapalha is worked by a family and technical team. Sandra Tavares is chief winemaker, Miguel Cavaco works in winemaking, and António Geraldes Cardoso works in viticulture. The estate grows Portuguese and international white and red grape varieties, with wines made as both blends and single grape bottlings.
Place
Quinta de Chocapalha is located at Aldeia Galega da Merceana in the Lisboa wine region, roughly 50 minutes from Lisbon. The estate lies among hills extending toward the Tagus River.
The soils are clay and limestone, predominantly clay, dating to the Jurassic period. Clay holds water while limestone drains it, so this combination can moderate water supply around vine roots. Harvesting is carried out separately, variety by variety and plot by plot, keeping the grape varieties and vineyard parcels distinct at picking time.
Wines
The flagship Chocapalha range comes from older vines and specific parcels, moving from blends to wines made from a single grape. It includes white and red wines, Vinha Mãe, Cabernet Sauvignon, Reserva White, CH White, CH Red and Guarita.
Quinta de Chocapalha Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Malolactic fermentation and ageing take place over 12 months in French barriques, divided between 60% new oak and 40% second year oak. The palate has restrained acidity, red fruit, silky tannins and a long finish.
Mar de Lisboa is the younger, bolder range, presented for any occasion. The two ranges give the estate different ways to work with grape variety, blend and parcel.
Final Word
Quinta de Chocapalha joins clay and limestone soils, plot by plot harvesting, and a range that moves from younger Mar de Lisboa wines to older vine and parcel bottlings under the Chocapalha name.