Bright minds exploring Alvarinho
At Soalheiro Innovation Celler we are always experimenting with different winemaking styles to discover how dynamic Alvarinho can be in our Territory. Through this initiative we have created an incubator program offering the opportunity for young brains to explore their own ideas.
Soalheiro Nature. This wine was developed by our team and even lead to a Master’s thesis with the Universidade Católica Protuguesa that studied the stability of the wine. Using organic grapes, it is the first Alvarinho from our region to be made without the addition of any sulphites, representing the purest expression of our terroir.
Alvorone. Developed with a group of young winemakers, namely ‘Vinhos Aparte’, this wine uses the Amarone style of winemaking with Alvarinho grapes. The wine’s unique production process results in a particular expression of Alvarinho perfect for the curious wine drinker.
Ag.hora. Beginning in 2019 with two young Georgians, Ag.hora uses Alvarinho to explore the Georgian style of winemaking. Tina, now a member of our Wine Tourism team, and Gio, are proud to explore their heritage and bring a cherished tradition to Monção and Melgaço. This wine features skin maceration, with fermentation and ageing taking place in clay amphora.
Pé Franco, meaning ‘ungrafted’, refers to the fact that this wine is produced from ungrafted vines. The vineyards that produce it are located at Quinta da Folga, planted in sandier soils, and are more than 10 years old. For the first time, in 2020, we made a single vineyard wine from this plot, reflecting an experiment both in the vineyard and the winery.
Pet Nat. This natural sparkling wine, in the popular style of Pet-Nat (Pétillant Naturel or Méthode Ancestrale), was developed in partnership with Hugo, a local bar owner, wine lover, and postgraduate student in winemaking. Wine drinkers looking for something different should head to Candelabro, in Porto, to taste this pure expression of Loureiro.
And many more to come.
