Alentejo

Oenologist: João Afonso

Environmental Practice: Organic, Unfiltered, Natural, Sustainable, Vegan Friendly & Low/No Sulphites

Joao Afonso has been blessed with two amazing & fascinating careers & now his evolution from a leading ballet dancer to a top Portuguese natural garage wine producer is complete! In 1994 after a small experience with the then young Dirk Niepoort he began his love affair with wine with minimal intervention & optimum quality. He is a wine maker that has an obsession with wines from old vineyards, cared for with organic & sustainable awareness to achieve wines that can be classed as natural.

“A wine is a natural product, we cannot pour anything into the wine that isn’t necessary”. This simple phrase of Rui Alves, known as the godfather of the Portuguese natural wine movement, ended up constituting the whole oenological orientation of João Afonso. The Cabeças do Reguengo wine dream started exclusively from centuries-old vineyards, in biological production mode to which he added biodynamic practices that have been his mantra since the beginning of the new century!

Prima Ballerina turns ultra natural winemaker!

  • Respiro Altitude 2020

    CABREG3-W - North Alentejo, Microclimate of Serra de S. Mamede - Three Centennial vineyard field blend (The main one located at 675 meters height) - 13%

    “It’s all about fruit & freshness” João says as he wants to indulge our taste-buds by soaking up all the Iberian varieties have to offer. The Manteúdo grape also known as Listán in Spain, Andalucia is a clean & crisp white grape with lots of fresh citric fruit & green olives. Ideal for any occasion due to the elegance & well balanced acidity.

    Three centennial Vineyard field blend. The main one located at 675 meters height; 3/4 of it is fermented at low temperature. It’s all about fruit & freshness!

    Hand-picked harvest. Grapes crushed, pressed, & must decanted with minimal sulphur addition. Natural, cool fermentation & ageing for 9 months in very old oak barrels (225/500 litres). No malolactic fermentation.

    Serving Temperature: 10-12ºC

    Food pairing: Lovely with oriental food in particular. Dishes with ginger, coriander & spring onions. Stir-fries are a fantastic match, as well as plenty of shellfish, seafood & prawns.

  • Equinócio Organic White 2020

    CABREG4-W - North Alentejo, Microclimate of Serra de S. Mamede - Centennial Single Vineyard field blend (about 14 different grapes varieties) - 13%

    One of the first two wines made by João at Cabecas do Reguengo estate. A wine that is not only from the natural park of Serra de S. Mamede, but also with an organic certification. If you stay at his small boutique hotel you will see all the vines in the surrounding area & they are simply gorgeous! They look ancient, natural, healthy & they make this wine taste out of this world.

    The balance of crispness & minerality with a rich, rounded structure from 12 month ageing in very old oak barrels gives Equinócio something that is difficult to compare to anything else. A unique wine with a unique character. Hand-picked harvest. Grapes crushed, pressed & must decanted. Natural fermentation & ageing for 12 months in very old oak barrels (225 litres). No malolactic, without fining & filtering.

    Style: Organic certified, intense white.

    Serving Temperature: 11-12ºC

    Food pairing: Pasta dishes with some white sauces, carbonara, etc. Baked dishes & creamy cheeses. Canapés with anchovies & Parma ham will work really well as well as patés ( mushrooms, fish & chicken liver).

  • Solstício Organic Red 2018

    CABREG3-R - North Alentejo, Microclimate of Serra de S. Mamede - Centennial Single Vineyard field blend (about 14 different grapes varieties) - 13%

    The brother of the white Equinócio. Aged in old oak barrels for 20 months giving it elegance & structure. Leather & earthy tones, with a lush deep red fruit nose that make it intriguing & inviting. Soft rounded tannins make it a velvet sensation for your taste buds & with mouth watering acidity.

    All your senses will be captured when drinking this wine. Trust our team tasting notes... we were bowled over by this wine! Hand-picked & a very precocious harvest. Natural fermentation in a cement lagar, part of the grapes were crushed & de-stemmed. Aged in old oak barrels for 20 months, without fining & filtering.

    Style: Organic certified, elegant red.

    Serving Temperature: 11-12ºC

    Food pairing: Venison & pork medallions with apples. Dishes that have elegance such as salmon or beef wellington & warm spices. Some cheeses with peppered notes, like aged cheddar, would be a fantastic pairing!

  • RESPIRO LAGAR ORANGE - 2021

    CABREG5-W - North Alentejo, Microclimate of Serra de S. Mamede - Centennial Single Vineyard Field Blend - 11.5%

    Orange wine is made from white grapes that are left in contact with their skins for an extended period of time, giving the wine an orange hue and unique flavour profile. The tannins and complex flavors in orange wine make it a versatile pairing option with a variety of foods

    This white wine comes from a vineyard with two century-old field blends. It has an exotic aroma and a smooth, warm flavor. The grapes were harvested by hand on August 28th and foot-trodden in small vats. After fermenting for about 6 days with skin contact, sulfur was added to the must. It went through natural fermentation and was aged in barrels for 9 months with malolactic.

    Style: Organic certified, intense Orange white

    Serving Temperature: 12-14°C

    Food Pairings: Orange wine pairs well with aged cheeses, cured meats, and salty snacks. The tannins in orange wine can help to balance out the heat in spicy dishes, making it a great pairing for Thai, Indian, or Mexican cuisine.

  • Vira Cabeças White 2018

    CABREG1-W - North Alentejo, Microclimate of Serra de S. Mamede - Old Single Vineyard field blend (about 10 different grape varieties) - 13%

    This is probably the most unctuous of João’s wines. It has a richness & depth that not many wines have with the balance in structure making it a tremendous wine.

    A weighty wine where lots of melon & honey come through on the nose & palate. Deep in flavour but with mass appeal as the acidity & minerality of it leaves a long lasting finish.

    Hand-picked harvest from 16th to the 24th of August. Grapes crushed, pressed, & must decanted. Natural fermentation & ageing for 12 months in very old oak barrels (225 litres). No malolactic, without fining & filtering.

    Style: Classy, rich & deep white.

    Serving Temperature: 11-12ºC

    Food pairing: Matches well with a selection of poultry, game & white fish recipes. It is particularly well matched with white wine sauces with intense herbs such as marjoram & tarragon. Wonderful with warm root vegetables as well as with creamy textured cheeses.

  • Vira Cabeças Red 2018

    CABREG1-R - North Alentejo, Microclimate of Serra de Sao Mamede - Single Old Vineyard field blend (about 8 different grape varieties) - 13%

    Wonderfully balanced red with incredible aromas & depth. A wine that seduces my taste-buds with engaging aromatics, working in harmony & perfect balance with nature. It has the body & warmness of the Alentejo sun, with a combination of lush red fruit & a silky texture from start to finish. A wine that will stick in your mind… & for good reason!

    Hand-picked & very precocious harvest on the 23th & of 24th August. Natural fermentation in a cement vat, part of the grapes were crushed & de-stemmed. Six weeks maceration. Aged in old oak cask & barrel for 21 months. Bottled without fining & filtering.

    Style: Full bodied warm red.

    Serving Temperature: 13-16ºC

    Food pairing: Matches well with a selection of cheeses & tomato based winter stews with warm spices. Lamb & slow cooked meat options. Aubergine, peppers & cumin dishes match really well with this wine. Be adventurous & try it with a bit of dark chocolate.

  • Respiro Clarete Red 2020

    CABREG2-R - North Alentejo, Microclimate of Serra de S. Mamede - White & red grapes from 3 Centennial Vineyards (about 14 varieties) - 12%

    Freshness, refinement & the most unique wine in our portfolio. Where red & white grapes work as a team to create our Portuguese, Alentejo mountains claret. As the name Respiro means “Breath” it suggests the brightness & refreshing mouth watering character. With a lighter colour, silky smooth tannins & almost salivating acidity. A phenomenally drinkable & savoury wine that incites you to drink more, without the weight of the alcohol. A beauty!

    Hand-picked harvest, natural fermentation in a cement vat, red grapes were crushed & de-stemmed. Five weeks maceration. Natural fermentation & ageing for 9 months in very old oak barrels (225 litres). Malolactic done. Freshness & refinement.

    Style: Light Savoury Red.

    Serving Temperature: 12-14ºC

    Food Pairing: BBQ or grilled oily fish, such as sardines, mackerel & salmon. Intense hard cheeses & sharing boards with olives & dry meats. Paprika flavours in your dishes as well as sumac sour spice! A very versatile food friendly wine.

  • Respiro Cimento 2020

    CABREGCIMENTO-W - North Alentejo, Microclimate of Serra de S. Mamede - 13%

    Winemaking Process: Cimento is a white wine that is made using a traditional Portuguese method known as "branco de bica aberta". The grapes used for this wine are sourced from Centennial Vineyards, located in the microclimate of Serra de S. Mamede in North Alentejo. The winemaker Joao has fermented and aged this wine in concrete tanks, giving it a unique character. The wine has also been aged sur lees for 9 months, adding depth and complexity to the final product.

    Tasting Notes: Cimento is a well-balanced white wine with a pH of 3.70. It has a subtle acidity that complements its smooth texture, making it soft and elegant on the palate. On the nose, this wine offers aromas of white flowers and citrus, which are followed by a refreshing and persistent finish. Overall, this old-style Portuguese white wine is nuanced and full of unique flavors.

    Food Pairings: Cimento is an excellent choice for pairing with seafood, especially shellfish like oysters, mussels, and clams. Its subtle acidity and smooth texture also make it an ideal accompaniment to light salads, grilled chicken, and vegetable dishes. This wine can be enjoyed on its own as an aperitif, or paired with a light meal to enhance its unique flavor profile.