The Essence of Monção
Quinta das Levadas
Located in the heart of the Monção region
Our vineyard, Quinta das Levadas is located in the heart of the Monção region, a municipality in the district of Viana do Castelo in Portugal. With a population of only 20,000 people and an area of 211.31 kms, this truly is a special place on earth.
​
Monção has a Hot-summer Mediterranean climate with mild, rainy winters and hot dry summers, although short, the dry season is dry enough to avoid being classified has a humid subtropical climate.
​
Monção is known for its unique conditions for growing the Alvarinho grape variety, the terrain, the soil, the weather, the mist, and the free-flowing river of life’s abundance all contribute to idyllic conditions for growing the Alvarinho grape.
The Mist and Our River
A Névoa e o nosso Rio
Quinta das Levadas truly is a breath-taking land of natural beauty with flowing waters of the Mouro River cooling the air to create a magical mist, that cover the valley and vineyard, providing a source of natural irrigation that is perfect for the growth and development of each Alvarinho grape.
The Mist
The mist that rises from the river, referred to as the " Mist," envelops our vineyards and creates a microclimate that is a key factor for the growth and maturation of our Alvarinho grapes. This mist helps to moderate temperature and humidity, protect the grapes from sun damage, and and reduce the risk of disease and pests, all of which contribute to producing high-quality wine.
Our winery, Gema Wines, is located in the heart of this unique terroir, where we strive to capture the essence of Monção in every bottle.
Our River (the Mouro River)
The crystal-clear waters of the Mouro River naturally flow directly through our property, playing a major and vital role in the development of our Alvarinho grapes at Gema Wines.
The river provides natural irrigation to the region, support precipitation and sub-terrain water drainage, and the flowing water of the river cools the summer air.
​
It’s not necessary to have a flowing river to grow grapes - but it is cool to be able to say we have one flowing through our estate.
A land of life and natural beauty
The Teroir
Terroir is a French term used to describe the environmental factors that affect a crop's phenotype, including unique environment contexts, farming practices and a crop's specific growth habitat. Over the centuries, winemakers developed the concept of terroir by observing the differences in wines from different regions, vineyards, or even different sections of the same vineyard.
​
The terroir of Monção, located in the Vinho Verde region of Portugal, is ideal for growing Alvarinho grapes due the unique microclimate and soil characteristics. The region experiences rigorous winters and hot summers, which creates a stress on the grapes and concentrates their flavors. The high mineral content of the granitic soil contributes to the unique flavor profile of our wine and the naturally occurring Mouro River Mist produces a greenhouse effect that adds to the grapes' ideal acidity.
These conditions combined make for a perfect environment for Alvarinho grapes to thrive, resulting in wines with an accentuated aroma and exceptional taste.
​
The Soil
The granitic soil found in the inclined areas of our property at Quinta das Levadas is a key factor in the production of our exceptional Alvarinho wines.
The soil's unique composition, combined with the incline of the land, allows for optimal drainage and exposure to sunlight, perfect conditions for the growth of grapes, allowing the grapes to fully ripen and develop a deep and complex flavour profile. The granitic soil also imparts a distinct minerality to the wine, adding a unique character to our Alvarinho.
The combination of the perfect soil and the ideal weather conditions in Monção, results in grapes of the highest quality, which are carefully hand-picked and transformed into wines of unparalleled taste and character.
The Weather
The Monção microclimate, with rigorous winters and very hot summers, helps to create a perfect balance between the maturation of sugars and tannins in the grapes.
In Merufe, Monção the summers are short, warm, and mostly clear and the winters are cold, wet, and partly cloudy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 5°C to 28°C and is rarely below 0°C or above 35°C.
​
The warm season lasts for 2.8 months, from June 24 to September 18, with an average daily high temperature above 24°C. The cool season lasts for 3.6 months, from November 16 to March 3, with an average daily high temperature below 15°C.
​
All of these factors combined make the terroir in Merufe ideal for producing outstanding Alvarinho wines.