Quinta de Chocapalha Arinto Branco 2022

Quinta de Chocapalha is a tiny estate northwest of Lisbon in Alenquer, Portugal with a fascinating history. When the property was acquired in the 1980s, the 110 acres of vineyards found there were in a state of disrepair, with some dating all the way back to the 16th century. The new owners immediately began a significant project to replant and graft the vines, using both local and international grape varieties. By 2000, the new plantings had reached maturity, allowing Sandra Tavares, the family’s youngest daughter, to begin her winemaking career (not a bad start!) She was determined to craft wines using only the highest quality grapes from the estate.

The winemaking philosophy at Quinta de Chocapalha blends traditional and modern techniques. While they utilize traditional lagares (open fermentation tanks), they also incorporate mechanical treading during fermentation. This careful approach results in wines that express both the classic minerality and elegance of the region, while maintaining a fresh, fruit-forward character. Their limited-production white wine, CH by Chocapalha is a special single varietal wine. It’s an elegant and rich Arinto that’s made exclusively from single plots within the estate’s oldest vineyards.