In 1987, Alice and Paulo purchased a neglected property in Aldeia Galega, Alenquer on the outskirts of Lisbon where they could realize their family’s dream.
When the Tavares da Silva family arrived at Quinta de Chocapalha, the planted vines were aimed at achieving production quotas and were in poor condition. The couple quickly went to work investing in the restructuring and total replanting of the 45 hectares of vineyard and also in the winery introducing new cultivation techniques with the intention of preserving the age-old traditions of this wine estate, while constantly seeking to improve the quality and prestige of its wines.
It was only in the 2000 harvest, when the vines had reached maturity and the desired quality, that the best wines produced there were bottled. Sandra Tavares da Silva, the owners’ daughter, urged her parents to start producing wine from the estate’s best grapes and went on to become their chief winemaker.
Of the total of 70 hectares, 46 are planted with vines.
The white grape varieties are Arinto, Viosinho, Gouveio, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
The red varieties are Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Castelão, Syrah, Touriga Franca, Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot.
Quinta de Chocapalha is a family owned and family run business where the involvement of the whole family and their employees is the hallmark of the spirit and success of this project.
