Espera 'Nat Cool' Castelão 2025

If you've ever wondered what "Nat Cool" means, the clue is in the name. Founded by legendary Portuguese winemaker Dirk Niepoort, the Nat Cool movement is a collaborative project that brings together like-minded producers from across Portugal who share a passion for making naturally crafted wines that are fresh, approachable, lower in alcohol, and—most importantly—fun to drink. Espera was invited to become part of this select group of producers, creating its own Nat Cool wine using one of Portugal's most iconic grape varieties, Castelão.

Grown on clay-limestone soils just a few miles from the Atlantic Ocean, the grapes are hand-harvested before undergoing natural fermentation with indigenous yeasts. The result is a wine that beautifully captures the freshness and minerality of this unique coastal region while allowing the fruit to take centre stage.

One of the secrets behind this wine's vibrant personality is carbonic maceration. Instead of crushing the grapes immediately, whole bunches are placed into a sealed tank where fermentation begins naturally inside each individual berry. This gentle technique produces wines bursting with bright fruit, silky-soft tannins, and an irresistibly juicy texture. The result is a red that's vibrant, refreshing, and incredibly easy to drink—especially with a slight chill.

The star of the show is Castelão, one of Portugal's oldest and most widely planted red grape varieties. Traditionally grown throughout Portugal's coastal regions, Castelão thrives in the Atlantic climate, where cooler temperatures help preserve its naturally bright acidity and aromatic freshness. Expect vibrant notes of cherry, pomegranate, wild herbs and delicate spice, all wrapped up in a light-bodied wine that's elegant, refreshing, and exceptionally food-friendly. It's a grape that perfectly embodies the easy-going spirit of the Nat Cool movement.

The striking label tells a story of its own. It depicts a Cistercian monk removing limestone, a tribute to the monks of Alcobaça who spent centuries transforming the region's rugged limestone landscape into fertile vineyards and farmland. Their influence helped shape the area's winemaking heritage, making the illustration a fitting symbol of both the wine's origins and the people who first cultivated this remarkable landscape.

Bursting with notes of fresh cherry, pomegranate, and crunchy red berries, this light-bodied red is energetic, elegant, and dangerously easy to drink. At just 12.2% ABV, it's right at home alongside pizza, grilled vegetables, burgers, charcuterie, or simply enjoyed with good friends on a warm afternoon.

Bottled in a generous 1-litre bottle, it's made for sharing—and you'll probably wish you'd bought two. With only 2,500 bottles produced, this is a wonderfully fresh, low-intervention expression of Castelão that's every bit as enjoyable as it is distinctive.