Herdade do Rocim, established in 2000 by José Ribeiro Vieira, is a story about three generations of family winemaking. Jose’s decision to take up the art of winemaking was undoubtedly inspired by his father Manuel, who cultivated vines in the Vale da Mata in Cortes, Lisbon. Subsequently Jose’ instilled what became a family passion for winemaking in his daughter Catarina Vieira, who has been managing the winery with her husband, Pedro Ribiera, since 2013.
Herdade do Rocim is located in Vidigueira, one of eight sub-regions, and the southernmost, within the winemaking territory of Baixo Alentejo, Portugal. Rocim’s winery and cellar are located in the Vale do Rocim. Rocim has expanded under Catarina’s direction and now encompasses roughly 123 hectares of vineyards across Alentejo, Lisbon, Bairrada, Douro, Dão, Vinho Verde, the Algarve and Azores.
Moreover, Rocim regularly selects grapes from producers in these areas to craft wines that are not only indicative of the grapes and terroir, but that also reflect the winery’s characteristically crisp, elegant, and fruit-dominant style. According to Catarina, “Our viticulture is focused on keeping the freshness, acidity and minerality. The sites we pick for our vineyards always keep this in mind – sometimes because of the soils and sometimes because of the proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.”
The Alentejo is often subject to extreme heat conditions. Nevertheless, Vidigueira has the ideal terroir for cultivating a number of Portugal’s approximately 250 indigenous Portuguese varietals. The region enjoys warm temperatures and ample sunlight during the lengthy growing season. Steady breezes coming off the Atlantic Ocean mitigate the heat by bring cooler air and moisture across the region and up against the surrounding Serra do Mendo, and the Vidigueira fault that separates the Alto and Baixo Alentejo. The moderating climatic influence of the Serra do Mendo allows for considerable differences between daytime and nighttime temperatures, enabling grapes cultivated under these conditions to maintain both freshness and acidity.
The schist and granite-rich soil in the Vidigueira combines with the cooler temperatures in this sub-region to produce crisp and mineral-driven white wine blends with relatively low alcohol content, refreshing acidity, and vivacious citrus, orchard, and tropical fruit character. The region is also known for its rich and balanced red wine blends with bright acidity, soft tannins, and bold mixed berry and dark stone fruit character.
Portuguese wines are predominantly produced from a blend of native grapes. Baga from Bairrada and other single varietal wines are also produced in Portugal. Nevertheless, wine blends are the preferred style, resulting in an array of unique and exciting flavors that showcase the diverse character of Portuguese wines.
Rocim’s vineyards are dedicated to the cultivation of indigenous grapes like Alvarinho, Arinto, and Aragonez. The Mariana line of wines, consisting of a blend of native Portuguese grapes, aptly reflects the character of both the varietals and the terroir, and is remarkably adaptable to a range of cuisines.
Mariana 2024 (White)
Sourced from vineyards planted in granite and schist-dominant vineyards in Vidigueira, Alentejo
Composition: Antao Vaz, Arinto, and Alvarinho
Fermentation: Stainless steel tanks
Aging: A month in bottle
Flavor profile: Medium-bodied, with balanced acidity and minerality, aromas of summer and tropical fruit, and vibrant notes of green apples, peaches, papayas, and passion fruit.
Pair with: Simply prepared fish, seafood, and poultry, including baked halibut, sauteed scallops, and roasted chicken
Mariana 2024 (Red)
Sourced from vineyards planted in granite and schist-dominant soil in Vidigueira, Alentejo
Composition: Touriga Nacional, Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet, and Trincadeira (Tinta Amarela)
Fermentation: Stainless steel tanks
Aging: Six months in French oak barriques
Flavor profile: Full-bodied, with soft tannins, aromas of mixed berries, dark stone fruit, and scented wood, and notes of ripe raspberries, blackberries, cherries, and plums.
Pair with: Various game, grilled red meats, and pastas in red sauce including roasted duck, steak fajitas, and spaghetti Bolognese
Alentejo wine culture is rooted in the 2000-year-old tradition of producing wine in clay amphorae (talhas), and Rocim carries on this ancient practice with the Herdade do Rocim Amphora (Talha) line of wines. Vinification in clay vessels using indigenous yeasts, absent both fining and temperature regulation, results in wines with energetic acidity, salinity, and minerality, and a distinctive fresh fruit character. The clean and crisp acidity of these wines make them ideal complements to spicier global fare.
Herdade do Rocim Amphora (Talha) 2023 (White)
Sourced from vineyards planted in schist and granite-dominant soil in Vidigueira, Alentejo
Composition: Antao Vaz, Perrum, Rabo de Ovelha, and Manteudo
Fermentation: Clay vessels at uncontrolled temperatures, using naturally occuring yeasts, with minimal intervention
Aging: Three months in bottle
Flavor profile: Firm and structured, with energetic acidity, salinity, and minerality, aromas of citrus and red fruit, and zesty herbs and spices, and notes of limes, grapefruit, vine-ripe tomatoes, and dried rosemary
Pair with: Spicier dishes including peppercorn fish casseroles, stir fried Szechuan shrimp, and chicken curry
Herdade do Rocim Amphora (Talha) 2023 (Red)
Sourced from vineyards planted in granite-dominant soil in Vidigueira, Alentejo
Composition: Moreto, Tinta Grossa, Trincadeira, and Aragonez
Fermentation: Clay vessels at uncontrolled temperatures, using naturally occurring yeasts, with minimal intervention
Aging: Clay amphorae and in bottle
Flavor profile: Fresh and vivacious, with vibrant acidity, salinity, and minerality, aromas of balsamic and red and dark fruit, and notes of raspberries, cherries, plums, and herbs.
Pair with: Heartier fare including pot roasts, lamb tagine, Osso buco, and kebabs
Contact:
Herdade do Rocim
Estrada Nacional 387 Apartado 64 7940-909 Cuba | Alentejo, Portugal +351 284 415 180 administrativo@herdadedorocim.com
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