In 2013, four friends (Casimiro, Pedro, António, and Sónia) with deep family roots in winemaking and wine production joined together their knowledge, experience, and curiosity to rediscover a less explored subregion of Portugal's Alentejo region.
Alentejo has a long history in the production of wine, going back thousands of years, even before the Roman occupation. Though its history wasn’t short of turbulent, particularly between the times when Moure kings conquered the region, and the vine and wine were set aside as a non-important societal activity. Alentejo presents influences of its past until today, from its architecture, local names, and food, and it is the only region in Portugal where amphora winemaking is a common practice.
Contrary to the typical Alentejo wines, which are produced at altitudes close to sea level and often lack freshness, Sericaia wines are crafted in the northern sub-region of Alentejo, Portalegre, in the Serra de São Mamede. Here, at an altitude of over 700m, the wines truly embody the qualities the team was striving for; elegance, balance, and a fresh crispness.
Each team member brings a unique set of skills to the table. Casimiro, with over 30 years of winemaking experience, is a viticulture expert who always respects the region's varietals and ecosystem. Pedro, António, and Sónia, with over 20 years of professional experience, each contribute their unique expertise in enology, winemaking, and mechanical engineering.
The philosophy in the vineyard and winery is of minimal intervention and of implementation of sustainable and regenerative practices, such as the cultivation of cover cropping in between rows for stimulation of soil fertility and incorporation of nitrogen in the soil; the release of predator insects (like ladybugs) to control the population of aphids; by attending to the particularities of each grape variety and their synergy.
In the São Mamede Mountain, a fusion between schist, clay, and granite soils is found. The soils PH here is primarily acidic which contributes to unmatchable freshness and elegance.
Alentejo is mostly inland, with Mediterranean and Continental climate characteristics. This leads to long, high insulation, warm, and dry seasons. Though at high altitudes, the subregion of Portalegre is cooler and wetter than any other part. Maturation tends to last long in the season, hence the resulting wines uniqueness.