Espera Palheto Red Blend 2024

Think of this as Portugal's answer to chilled, light-bodied reds—but with 800 years of history behind it!

Inspired by the medieval wines once made in the Alcobaça and Caldas da Rainha region, just north of Lisbon, this small-batch Palheto is a field blend of around 20 grape varieties - white & red - grown across two 50-year-old vineyards. Rather than planting a single variety, these old vineyards are a patchwork of different grapes growing side by side, creating a wine that's beautifully complex and a true reflection of its place. 

Palhetos are a traditional Portuguese wine style with roots stretching back centuries to the medieval vineyards near Lisbon. The term refers to field blends—vineyards where multiple grape varieties, both red and white, grow together in a natural patchwork rather than in separate blocks. This ancient approach creates wines of remarkable complexity and character, as each grape contributes its own personality to the final blend. Palhetos are typically lighter-bodied and refreshingly crisp, often enjoyed slightly chilled, making them wonderfully versatile at the table. They represent a living connection to Portugal's winemaking heritage and the philosophy that the best wines emerge from the harmony of many varieties working together.

Hand-harvested early in the season, the grapes undergo natural fermentation before spending seven months resting in old French oak barrels. The result is a wine that's incredibly vibrant and refreshing, with delicate aromas of cherry, pear, wildflowers and gentle spice, all underpinned by a distinctive mineral character from the region's clay-limestone soils and cool Atlantic climate.

This is the kind of red that shines with a slight chill. It's bright, elegant and effortlessly drinkable—perfect alongside charcuterie, grilled fish, roast chicken or simply enjoyed on a warm afternoon. With a production of only 4,000 bottles, it's a wonderfully unique expression of Portuguese winemaking that's as fascinating as it is delicious.