The Organic Path of Quinta dos Murças

Esporão was born in the Alentejo with the ambition to make the best wines. Over the years, we have learned that organic farming contributes to this mission. By protecting the soils and increasing the resilience and quality of the vineyards, we can produce healthier and more balanced grapes, requiring less intervention in the winery. This enables us to create wines with greater identity and a sense of place, without harmful products to our health and the environment.

All the vineyards in the Alentejo, at Herdade do Esporão, Herdade dos Perdigões, Lavradores, and Enxofral, are certified organic, as are all the vineyards at Quinta dos Murças in the Douro. Esporão's vineyards represent about 18% of the total organic production in the country. This ambition extends to olive oil, with around 93 hectares of olive groves currently planted at Herdade do Esporão, featuring four olive varieties, all in organic production. This journey began in 2007 with the Olival dos Arrifes. The olive groves at Herdade dos Perdigões and Quinta dos Murças add a further 3 hectares and 19 hectares, respectively, also in organic production.

Located in the Douro, between Régua and Pinhão, Quinta dos Murças was established in 1714. The estate spans 3.2km along the riverbank, with predominantly southern exposure, covering a total area of 155 hectares, of which 48 hectares are dedicated to vineyards. It was on this extensive land that the first vertical vineyard in the Douro was planted in 1947. In addition to vineyards, olive groves, orange orchards, and almond trees, the estate houses a large area of Mediterranean forest that promotes biodiversity, reinforcing the balance of the ecosystem. Quinta dos Murças is a unique place, characterised by the diversity of its eight terroirs marked by varying altitudes, solar exposures, distinct schist soils, and predominantly vertical vineyards. The combination of the Douro Valley's extreme climate with organic production and precision farming practices results in concentrated, elegant, and fresh terroir-driven wines.

SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES AT QUINTA DOS MURÇAS

Part of the vineyard was restructured and converted to organic production in 2011, a path strengthened in 2016 with the resumption of total vineyard conversion. New technologies were introduced in the winery, and more traditional, less interventionist winemaking methods were revived. In 2020, after certifying the entire area as organic, this effort was recognised with the IVDP Vintage Environment and Sustainability Award by the Douro and Port Wine Institute (IVDP).

COVER CROPS

Promotion of cover crops to fix nutrients and minimise the growth of plants that do not contribute to soil fertility.

PEST CONTROL TECHNIQUES

To enhance the population of beneficial species and ensure greater pest control and long-term balance, hedgerows of auxiliary plants were implemented throughout the vineyard. An assessment of existing pests (Yellow Mite, Green Leafhopper, Grape Moth, Cottony Cushion Scale) and their main predators (beneficial species) was conducted. Lines of wild rose, honeysuckle, blackberry, blackthorn, narrow-leaved mock privet, pomegranate, bay laurel, European buckthorn, and elderberry were planted within the vineyard.

NATIVE GRAPE VARIETIES

Preference is given to native grape varieties that are better adapted to the estate’s climate and more resistant to pests, diseases, and stress factors.

ECOLOGICAL CORRIDORS

Promotion of ecological corridors and nearby forest areas. Ecological corridors are created between vineyard plots that connect to the forest, allowing natural enemies of pests and diseases to move easily. This fosters greater animal and plant biodiversity in the ecosystems and provides a shelter for these species through the alternating planting of earth retaining walls (terrace walls).

WATER USE REDUCTION

By storing water from the final rinses, we promote reuse for the first rinse, removing larger solids and colour. This practice is estimated to reduce water consumption by 30%.

PROMOTION OF LOCAL SPECIES GROWTH

Promotion of local species growth through mini-forest projects.

In collaboration with ADVID, the Centre for Functional Ecology at the University of Coimbra, the Portuguese Society of Botany, CIBIO-InBio, the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Lisbon, and NBI, the PGBE-QM Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management Plan for Quinta dos Murças was initiated. The study focused on evaluating various biodiversity indicator groups, the ecological status of the vineyards, and their surrounding areas. This provided a better understanding of the impact of agroecological management practices on the biodiversity of fauna and flora and the interactions between potential pests and beneficial species.

USE OF BY-PRODUCTS

By-products generated daily at the estate, such as grape stalks for mulching or compost for soil fertilisation, are used to create richer soils.