Adega Regional de Colares - 2014 - Arenae Tinto

The Colares Regional Winery, founded in 1931, is the oldest cooperative winery in Portugal. It currently comprises the majority of growers in the Demarcated Region of Colares, which is a very tiny region just west of Lisbon in the town of Sintra.

Their vines are grown in phylloxera-free sandy soils without rootstock grafting, located less than 1km (0,62 miles) from the Atlantic Coast at approximately 110m (360 feet). Of key importance is that they are completely free to crawl along the sand on horizontal cordons. In August, the grape clusters are propped with small cane sticks called pontões, and shielded by Atlantic winds with hand-made palisades of dried canes and wicker.

Colares Arenae Tinto is made with the native Ramisco grape that is harvested in the last week of September. After destemming (70%) and crushing, the wine is fermented in closed stainless steel tanks with careful pumping over. Aged for five years in exotic wood vats, followed by one more year in small oak barrels (5-year-old).