Quinta da Romeyra Prova Regia Bucelas Arinto 2024

Located 15 miles north-east of Lisbon, the historic Bucelas appellation is protected from the worst of the Atlantic weather systems by hills to the west and benefits from the moderating influence of the wide estuary of the Tagus river to the east. This favourable mesoclimate, combined with clay-limestone soils on rolling hills, provides the perfect growing environment for Portugal’s Arinto grape variety to ripen to perfection, accumulating great intensity of flavour whilst retaining a crisp natural acidity. With 75 hectares planted mainly with Arinto, Quinta da Romeyra is purported to be the largest Arinto vineyard in the world. Microzoning studies have identified 22 different soil types and there is a huge range of different exposures and altitudes on the estate.

Upon arrival at the Quinta da Romeyra winery, the grapes were cooled, carefully destemmed, and gently pressed to preserve the delicate aromatics. After cold static decanting for three days, alcoholic fermentation was carried out in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures of 14-16°C. The wine was then aged on its lees in stainless steel vats for four months prior to bottling.

Quinta da Romeyra (formerly Quinta da Romeira) is one of the most prestigious estates in Bucelas, Portugal’s only exclusively white wine appellation. They pioneered modernisation in the region over the past 30 years and are believed to have the largest Arinto vineyard in the world (a grape variety they have been associated with since 1540), with 75 hectares of vineyard dedicated almost exclusively to the grape, planted on clay-limestone soils. The property was bought by the Guedes family in 2018, who have invested heavily in the estate, improving the viticulture and, as of 2023, putting the talented Luís Cabral de Almeida (of Herdade do Peso fame) in charge of winemaking.