Grape Varieties Rufete, Baga, Joao de Santarem, Touriga Franca, and many others
The Ontem projects utilise grapes from almost-forgotten and non-demarcated vineyards just South of the Douro region. These 80-100 years old vineyards, are at 700m on the transitional granitic soils and in using them Rita is keeping them alive. They are small parcels of field blends of ancient varieties, mixed red and white varieties.
Rita hand-harvests the grapes, separating white from red. The must is foot-trodden and a natural fermentation takes place with wild yeast. The wine is aged in old barriques for 20 months. Only 3000 bottles were produced.
Amazing flavours from this amazing terroir. Mixed wild beries, bramble and hedgerow fruit. A blend of traditional rusticity with purity of flavour. Wonderfully ripe, soft tanning add depth to the palate, that could otherwise be racy. Overall, beautiful balance and length.