Terra d'Alter 'Alf' Alfrocheiro has ripe, dark cherry and spice aromas. On the palate, its flavours of cherry and red stone fruits are complemented by great acidity and structure, while its tannins are silky and luxurious. The finish is long, with spicy fruit flavours lingering on the palate.

Vineyard and Winery

Alfrocheiro is a unique Portuguese variety with quite small bunches and berries,
reminiscent of Pinot Noir and Trousseau (Bastardo), to which it is genetically related.  Its is often thought of as the Pinot Noir of Portugal.

It is made from 100% Alfrocheiro grapes from the Boavista Vineyard.  75% of the handpicked fruit is crushed and cold macerated in stainless steel with the 25% whole bunches at 15°C for 2 days before fermentation for 5 more days.  After malolactic fermentation and partial aging in oak barrels for 4 months, the wine is released for sale.

About the Producer

The Alto Alentejo is a high-quality wine-producing region two hours’ drive inland from Lisbon where vineyards date back to Roman times. The landscape is mainly flat with some hills and is characterised by distinctly Mediterranean edaphoclimatic conditions, though some areas have a continental microclimate. Its soils are notable for their diversity, ranging from the granitic soils of Portalegre and the calcareous and crystalline soils of Borba to the brown and red soils of Évora, Granja/Amareleja and Moura and the slate soils of Redondo, Reguengos and Vidigueira.

The Terra d’Alter vineyards are structured according to the new world approach, designed with the assistance of the University of Fresno, California. The vines are planted using modern training and irrigation techniques, facilitating treatment and ensuring quality. They cover extensive plains and gentle hills, always providing intense exposure to sunlight which assists the grapes’ development, maturation and quality. Many indigenous varieties are grown plus international varieties such as Viognier.

Peter Bright is the oenologist. Peter is the original ‘flying winemaker’, a dynamic and enterprising Australian who has lived in Portugal since 1982, his motto is “experiment, but don’t mix styles”.