Casa de Mouraz

Dão, Portugal In this old land of steep slopes and small valleys, located between the mountain ranges of Estrela and Caramulo, the Cistercian monks built the monastery of S.Pedro de Mouraz (12th century), giving rise to the farming of vineyards and wine production in this region. Little has changed to the land, except the industrialization which brought a sad end to the original farming practices. These old techniques have now happliy been brought back by Antonio Lopes Ribiero and his wife Sara Dionisio. They inherited their vines cultivated from multiple previous generations and converted them to the first certified organic vineyard of the Dão in 2000 (and since biodynamic as well). They left careers in the London Art World, motivated by the need to reconnect their family to the land. With the intent to use local varieties to the best of their terrior expression, the couple concentrates their creative efforts in respect to the cycles of nature. They farm 13 hectares of various grapes (5 red and 4 white) is divided into 10 parcels due to differences in soil (granite to clay), altitude (140 to 400m) and surroundings (chestnut, oak and pine trees). New plantings vie with nearly 50 year old vines. The cellar uses the best of modern technology yet with traditional methods applied first, in the stone cellar cut from the substraits of very rock. Gentle pressings, natural yeast starters, long lees contact in the wine and minimal handling otherwise, are the time honored practices. Stainless steel with temperature control and pneumatic presses enhance the quality level of the final wine, promising consistency. The results are clear: pure expressions of the older grape vines, with distinct transparency to the terrior upon which they have grown up, but fresh and pleasurable enough to be drunk young and often. Antonio and Sara are a dynamic team, active in promoting the spread of their philosophies to neighboring vignerons. The more they press, the better their wine, and the wines of Portugal at large, will be! We think the monks would be happy too.