Marta Soares is the pioneering wine maker at Casal Figueria, a project started by her late husband, Antonio. With 13 hectares of vineyards in Vermelha, just 80km north of Lisbon, they found centuries old vines of Vital and Castelão scattered in the slopes of the Serra de Montejunto. An artist herself, Marta combines art and wine in the vineyard and the labels. The local village’s tradition of making chalk drawings on people’s houses to celebrate Epiphany are the inspiration of many of the bottle labels. Ultra low intervention expression of a once common variety. Castelao brings real crunch and zip of fresh berry fruit, with a slightly sour, red cherry acidity, wrapped in an earthy blanket. Drink with charcuterie and any pork dishes. It works great chilled as well.
