Who makes it
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.
Where it grows
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.
What they make
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.