Casa Clara, Capela Trincadeira 2018

A year of turmoil for the vines, leads to extra fresh & fruity wines! The year started with a cold, dry winter. The spring continued cold but with a lot of rain, which delayed the start of the vegetative cycle. In summer, temperatures were lower than the average & maturation ended later than usual. These atypical conditions contributed to the production of a more fresh & aromatic style of wine. Typically Mediterranean climate with a strong continental influence & huge temperature variations. Grapes are carefully selected both during the harvest & in the cellar. The grapes are de-stemmed before crushing, then proceed to maceration over a period of 5 days.

Casa Clara is a 3rd generation family project their wines are created entirely of the grapes from their two properties located in the heart of Alentejo: the Herdade da Capela, on the left bank of the Guadiana in the Moura sub-region, Quinta de Dona Maria in the Serra do Mendro, near the Alqueva in the sub-region of Vidigueira.

The name of the company is a tribute to Mariana’s mother, Clara Roque do Vale, who has always been linked to the world of wines, having been distinguished in 2020 with the award ‘Best of the Year’ (together with Jancis Robinson MW) from Revista de Vinhos (Portugal’s top wine publication), who highlighted her as "a pioneer, a booster profound militant of the development of Alentejo as a region producing wines of international quality".

Representing the new generation of the family, Mariana intends to bring her modern approach to the world of wines, including the production of wines with little intervention, lighter styles, lower alcohol content with more freshness.

Being sustainable is a large part of their mission. Working to limit carbon emissions, save the ecosystems around them & preserve the biodiversity that is essential to protect our planet. Casa Clara is a proud certified member of the 'Programa de Sustentabilidade dos Vinhos do Alentejo' (the Alentejo Wines Sustainability Programme). All their practices, be it in the vineyards or in the cellar, are sustainable. What they plant depends on the climate, the soils the local communities.

Sustainability also has a social component. It promotes gender equality & encourages employment of local workers which strengthens their connection with the community. They work progressively towards organic farming using only renewable energy sources.