To mark the start of the harvest, we spoke to Nuno Gonzalez, enologist at Herdade da Malhadinha Nova since January 2012. He graduated in Biochemistry from the University of Coimbra and completed the Vinifera Euromaster in Oenology and Viticulture (France and Italy).
Before starting his career at Malhadinha, he worked in several countries, including Italy, New Zealand, the USA, Australia and Portugal.
1. Describe a day at work at Malhadinha Nova.
Workdays are always very different, and each day is a challenge. The priority is always the wines, ensuring their quality on a daily basis and managing all the other aspects, bottling, labeling, orders, stocks, contact with customers, etc.
2. What is your favorite wine produced at the Estate?
Talking about a favorite wine is always very ungrateful, but currently I would have to highlight the “Marias da Malhadinha 2021 White”.
3. What sustainable methods have been implemented in the wine production at Malhadinha?
Since 2016, we have converted the entire farm (vineyard, olive grove, pastures and production) to an organic production method, as part of the Soares Family's aim is to leave future generations a property where biodiversity is present, soils that are alive and healthy, without the use of synthetic chemicals and a tight usage of available water, a scarce and completely indispensable resource.
4. Tell us about some of Malhadinha's iconic wines? What makes them special?
Malhadinha's iconic wines are certainly the Malhadinha range and in particular the special editions (Pequeno João, Menino António and Marias). These are wines that obviously require greater attention to detail and that, before being bottled, undergo a careful evaluation to ensure that they meet our and our consumers' expectations. This is why these wines are not always released in consecutive years.
5. Harvest time is one of the most important moments at the Estate. How is it prepared and how can guests, and the general public participate?
The harvest is the most eagerly awaited moment at a winery. It is the close of a year of work in the vineyard, of hard work and investment. It is the responsibility of the Enologist to care for our grapes with the utmost respect, so that the resulting wines reflect not only our terroir and the year of the harvest, but also their full potential. At this special time of year, we invite our guests and customers to join us, whether if it’s in picking the grapes or during the processing. Despite being a time of hard work and stress, the harvest is always a PARTY!