It is during the harvest that the grapes are transformed and a unique process begins. Find out what’s so special about this time and how it’s done at the Quinta da Aveleda estate.
Casal Garcia was born in 1939 at Quinta da Aveleda. The vineyards were exquisitely tended and the plots delimited according to the grape variety used. The vineyard, at that time, caught the attention of French oenologist Eugéne Héliesse. In conversation with the then owner of Quinta da Aveleda, Roberto Guedes, the winemaker’s services were hired in order to improve the winemaking method.
We’ll explain how the different stages of the Alegria harvest take place:
1. The timing of Alegria
You need to know, before you start, when is the best time for the harvest. The vineyard team at Quinta da Aveleda knows that the important thing is the clues left by nature. You need to taste the grapes while they’re still on the vine, in order to choose the right moment.
This is the only way to discover when the grapes have reached the perfect balance between sugars, acidity and flavour. The experience and sensitivity of the professionals is the key to getting it right. Think of it as an open-air tasting!
2. The harvest
Now that the grapes have been approved, it’s time to start harvesting. Nowadays, the process is more technological, with mechanised harvesting of the grapes from the vines.
3. Careful transport
The grape transport phase begins as soon as the harvest is over. This process is done in small boxes to prevent the grapes from getting crushed.
The sooner they are made into wine, the better, to ensure they maintain their integrity and avoid premature fermentation.
4. Destemming and crushing, the traditional image of the grape harvest
At this stage, the grapes are carefully separated from the stalks. It’s a job that requires dexterity and care, like a preparation ritual.
The grapes are then crushed so that the skin of the grape bursts and the juice emerges to form the must. Each one of the grapes contributes to the wine with its own personality.
Harvest at Quinta da Aveleda: a unique place of Alegria!
The grape harvest at Quinta da Aveleda is a day full of tradition, fun and Alegria.
It is this process that precedes the production of our wines, which are ideal for unforgettable moments with family or friends. A unique experience that really deserves a visit.
