Quinta da Lagoalva rebrands and debuts Fernão Pires in single varietal 

Quinta da Lagoalva – wine project of the Holstein Campilho family, located in Alpiarça and one of the largest and oldest properties in the Tagus Wine region – chose 2023 as a year of change, materialized in the rebranding of the logo and labels of its portfolio of wines, which will hit the market by the end of the year, as new vintages are launched. Added to this is the commitment to the region’s flagship grape variety, with the debut of Quinta da Lagoalva Grande Reserva Fernão Pires and another reference, to be revealed soon. Led by Pedro Pinhão, administrator and director of oenology – in partnership with oenologist Luís Paulino –, this dynamic arises within the scope of the movement to promote this variety, promoted by the Regional Wine Commission for Tejo Wines, at national and international level. 

 The new image was developed by the Portuguese design and advertising agency OM Design, in close collaboration with the oenology, commercial and wine tourism teams at Quinta da Lagoalva. Creatives and designers visited the farm and immersed themselves in the universe of Lagoalva, in order to capture its essence and some of the most striking elements, which came to integrate the new labels, in image and in texts – written with the support of the family and some of older workers. A way of honoring the legacy of this iconic property, with 830 years of history and 660 contiguous hectares, of which 42 are vineyards and 16 olive groves. 

 The logo, a striking element on the current labels, kept the iron of the Quinta da Lagoalva stud farm – alluding to the Marquesa de Tancos, great-aunt of the owners – as a symbol. Assuming the historical legacy, it became part of the mention ‘Circa 1193’, the date of the first registration of Quinta da Lagoalva. In terms of colors, we opted for blue and gold and, for the spelling, for a sans-serif typeface, in a combination between contemporaneity and classicism, the path chosen for this new image. Icons of this Ribatejo farmhouse, the palace façade and the clock tower will be present on all the labels of the Lagoalva, Quinta da Lagoalva and Dona Isabel Juliana ranges. 

 To materialize this new identity, which will reach the market throughout this year, Quinta da Lagoalva already has the new vintages of white, rosé and red Lagoalva on the market; Lagoalva Sauvignon Blanc; Lagoalva Reserva white and red, but also its absolute debut: the Quinta da Lagoalva Grande Reserva Fernão Pires white 2021. 

 Quinta da Lagoalva Grande Reserva Fernão Pires, from the 2021 harvest, is a muscular white, with the Fernão Pires grape variety revealing its more floral and herbaceous side – more than the usual fruitiness associated with this variety –, freshness and structure, the latter imprinted by the stage in French oak barrels. 

 At Quinta da Lagoalva, the white varieties are planted in fertile alluvial soils, capable of retaining water and imparting freshness and acidity to the grapes and, therefore, to the wines. These factors, associated with the wide temperature ranges that are felt in the Tagus Wine region, with hot days, cold nights and humid mornings, are ideal for the production of this wine. The grapes of this Fernão Pires come from an old vineyard, almost 70 years old, being harvested by hand. This is followed by the pressing of the whole bunches, carried out in a pneumatic press. After 24 hours of decantation, the must ferments at 20ºC in used barrels – 2nd, 3rd and 4th years – made of French oak with a capacity of 500 liters, with the aim of conferring complexity, but without “masking ” the fruit. Once fermentation is complete, it ages for 12 months in the same barrels, with weekly bâttonage for 2 months. With a pale yellow color, this Fernão Pires reveals a complex aroma, with the presence of white fruit, but admittedly floral notes and some herbaceous and good minerality, associated with the elegance of vanilla from the wood. In the mouth it is plump, fresh and balanced. It should be served at 12ºC with grilled meat, fish, seafood or soft cheese. For those who go to the property, the wine is also for sale at the wine tourism shop in Lagoalva.