Monte da Penha is not just a brand. It is a place of memory, of roots, and of the future. In the vineyards that rise in the Serra de Portalegre, each vine tells a story. These are century-old vines, cared for generation after generation, that hold the wisdom of time in the silence of the earth. There, nature and man converse, and from this encounter are born wines that are much more than a drink: they are living testimonies of identity. Each bottle we open is a page from a book. A book written with grapes, granite, schist, and altitude. A book where the rigorous climate gives freshness and structure, where the patience of aging gives maturity, and where every detail reflects respect for the land and the legacy. Monte da Penha is familiar, because it calls us to the table. It is approachable, because it speaks the language of people and memories. But it is also strong, because each wine holds the intensity of the mountains, the persistence of those who believe, and the courage to distinguish oneself in a world of uniformity. We do not follow trends. We seek authenticity. Our wines are made to accompany long conversations, family gatherings, and celebrations that remain in memory. Because we believe that a wine is only complete when it is shared. Monte da Penha is heritage and novelty. It is respect for the past and daring to innovate. It is the voice of those who have already cared for these vineyards and the dream of those yet to come. We do not sell bottles. We offer stories. We do not produce wines. We create memories to be tasted, celebrated, and cherished.
OUR STORY
Since the beginning of the 20th century, when Joaquim da Cruz Baptista planted the first vines at "Tapada do Chaves", this family has been linked to the creation of high-quality wines in Portalegre.
The success of the project started by Joaquim da Cruz Baptista inspired his only daughter, Gertrudes, to continue his legacy and, with passion, take this project further, becoming known for her experience and dedication to the world of wine.
In 1987, his son Francisco Baptista Fino, a partner in his winemaking projects, decided to plant a 12-hectare vineyard on his property. This vineyard contributed to making both the white wine and the red wine of "Tapada do Chaves".
With the sale of this winery at the end of 1998, Francisco Baptista Fino, together with his wife Verónica, decided to embark on a new project, "MONTE da PENHA".
The VINHA
The estate has a total of 122 hectares, of which 22 hectares are vineyards. In 1987, 10 hectares of red grape varieties Trincadeira, Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet, and Moreto were planted, and 2 hectares of white grape varieties Fernão Pires, Roupeiro, Arinto, and Trincadeira das Pratas. Later, in 2000, another 10 hectares of Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet, and Touriga Nacional were planted. The vineyard is located on gentle slopes with intense sun exposure.
The altitude of the vineyards varies between 400 and 600 meters, with granitic, schist, and clay-limestone soils, full of stones. To achieve maximum quality, the vineyards are continuously monitored by specialized technicians; cluster and leaf pruning, manual harvesting, and grape selection upon arrival at the winery are some of the techniques used.
The harvest begins at the exact moment of grape ripening, and it is at this time that everyone comes together to help: family, friends, and collaborators.
OENOLOGY
Francisco Baptista Fino has been developing a new range of Monte da Penha wines in conjunction with the award-winning oenologist Susana Esteban, renowned for her work both nationally and internationally. In 2012, she was awarded the most prestigious prize an oenologist can receive in Portugal — the title of “Oenologist of the Year”, by Revista de Vinhos. Both oenologists share a passion for the Portalegre region and the Serra de São Mamede.
Monte da Penha's philosophy is to showcase, through its wines, the terroir, altitude, microclimate and unique characteristics of the Portalegre region, which contribute to the quality and distinction of the wines. Wines with excellent freshness, structured, sophisticated and that age extremely well.
“The wines are extraordinarily Alentejo, extraordinarily fresh and distinct in the current panorama (...) they are wines with expression, they are wines with identity, but above all they are gastronomic wines of pure hedonistic pleasure.” -Tiago Teles
PORTALEGRE
The demarcated wine region of Portalegre is the northernmost area of Alentejo and the one that most distinguishes itself from other regions due to the transition from plains to mountains.
The unique mesoclimate of the Serra de São Mamede, with its rainy and humid winters and hot summers, imparts unique characteristics to the wines, as do the altitude and soils that set this region apart.
Our wines
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Monte da Penha Harvest Red 2017
Regular price €10,50 EURRegular priceSale price €10,50 EUR -
Monte da Penha Terroir Red 2017
Regular price €17,50 EURRegular priceSale price €17,50 EUR -
Monte da Penha Altitude Reserva Red 2017
Regular price €29,90 EURRegular priceSale price €29,90 EUR -
Monte da Penha Harvest White 2024
Regular price €11,50 EURRegular priceSale price €11,50 EUR