Herdade de Espirra, Pegões, Portugal

Herdade de Espirra, Pegões, Portugal

Just 50 km south of Lisbon, in the Pegões region, lies Herdade de Espirra. A historic estate where old vines and traditional practices define its unique identity, its 36 hectares of vineyards, planted in sandy soils, are part of a vast 1,700-hectare property. This estate also cultivates cork oak forests, pine nut groves, grazing lands, and forestry nurseries which all come together and create a rich and balanced ecosystem.

At the heart of Herdade de Espirra are its old Castelão old vines, many over 80 years old. These deeply rooted, low-yielding vines produce grapes of remarkable concentration and complexity, capturing the genuine essence of this historic Portuguese variety. Castelão, native to the south of Portugal, crafts a rare expression producing wines with depth, structure, and a distinct sense of place.

The estate remains committed to traditional viticulture methods under Integrated Production certification, ensuring that each vineyard parcel is managed sustainably and with minimal intervention. Harvesting is carried out entirely by hand, allowing for careful selection of only the healthiest, ripest grapes.

In the cellar, tradition continues with grapes that are foot-trodden in lagares, followed by natural fermentation and aging in French oak barrels. This artisanal approach, not commonly seen anymore in today’s wine world, results in wines that are elegant yet powerful, truly reflecting their heritage.

Herdade da Espirra remains dedicated to preserving the legacy of its old vines while looking ahead, creating wines that honour the past and inspire the future of Portuguese viticulture.

Espirra Wine
@herdadeespirra