Penalva Winery Cooperative

Thursday July 14th, 2022

Penalva Winery Cooperative

Located in the center of the Dão region, the Adega Cooperativa de Penalva do Castelo has undergone a process of renovation at various levels, which has allowed it to present wines that, in addition to excellent value for money, also manage to add character and differentiating capacity.

The vineyard is at the base of everything about wine, we all know that. And the truth is that Adega de Penalva has access to raw materials of excellent quality. But that would be of no use if it weren’t for the human potential, at a technical, strategic or level, in Penalva do Castelo, this cooperative winery has made large investments in the conversion of vines, together with its approximately one thousand associates, and also in the technology of winemaking. At the same time, they introduced improved communication, rebranding and new brand positioning.

The Adega de Penalva currently receives grapes from the noblest varieties of Dão, coming from vines planted with scientific rigor and oriented towards quality production. Additionally, for three years the technical team has kept a record of all the vineyards, with all their characteristics. This modernization process, however, does not call into question the region’s history and viticultural heritage: the winery has also encouraged and supported its associates (with bonuses on the price of grapes) in the preservation of old vines whose location or genetic heritage justify. As a result of this effort, Adega de Penalva’s line of varietal wines proudly presents less common varieties, such as Cerceal-Branco, Bical, Baga or Tinta Pinheira. And some of the oldest vineyards, with a mixture of grape varieties, are vinified separately to, very soon, give rise to a top reference.

Adega de Penalva has made major investments in vine conversion, as well as in winemaking technology. At the same time, it introduced improved communication, rebranding and new positioning.

The wines from Adega de Penalva captivate the connoisseur and, for that, they don’t need artifice: they keep the Dão character intact, they are fresh, elegant, fruity and with great aging potential, both white and red! And, despite having all the modern vinification techniques, the winemaker António Pina also applies traditional practices and concepts that give rise to wines that are absolutely different and uncommon in cooperative units, such as Maceração Pellicular or Clarete. In 2022, “Garrafeira 60 Anos” will be launched, commemorating the Adega’s anniversary. Originating in a century-old vineyard, of those in which Baga was still dominant, it will be another milestone in this new cycle of Adega de Penalva.