In 2011, José Rodrigues was captivated by the Alentejo plains and decided to purchase Monte da Ribeira, an estate measuring approximately 12 hectares near Évora, on a plot belonging to the former Herdade da Avessada, where he planted an orchard and a small vineyard.
On a 12-hectare property, in soils of granite origin which transmit to the profile of the wines a mineral touch, were planted, initially, 2.5 hectares of vineyard, with slight exposure to the South and with own irrigation system. The selected grape varieties were, Syrah, Touriga Nacional, Alicante Bouschet and Cabernet Sauvignon. Later, on contiguous ground, a new vineyard with a further 2.5 hectares was planted, in which, in addition to Alicante Bouschet, the Antão Vaz, Arinto and Viosinho white grape varieties were planted. The production, which began with just over 5,000 bottles, has been evolving from year to year, but should not exceed 40,000 bottles in the future.
