Herdade do Cebolal

 Herdade do Cebolal is the southernmost estate found within the Setúbal Peninsula 170Km south of Lisbon and in close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. Cool breezes from the Atlantic give freshness allowing grapes to slowly ripen while retaining high acidity. The soil is incredibly varied, limestone, clay, loam, four different types of schist, chalk...
Herdade do Cebolal was founded by Luís Mota Capitão’s great-great-grandfather 150 years ago.
All viticulture at Herdade do Cebolal is organic (non certified) and they use several interesting methods to enhance the soils including gathering seaweed from the nearby Atlantic and employing sheep to keep weeds trimmed and for the manure. To combat the effects of climate change, they are creating an agroforest around their vines which provides shade and sequesters rain water in the soil. They also keep bees so it’s important not to spray insecticides or use chemical herbicides.
All grapes are hand harvested and the wines are fermented spontaneously with natural yeasts.