The earliest documents recording the name of Herdade de Pegos Claros, also known as Sesmarias de Pegos Claros, date back to 1920. For at least a century, the estate has been prominent in the production of wines with a distinctive profile, building a lasting legacy that, since 2010, has been recovered and, most importantly, developed to higher standards of quality and excellence.
The estate is located in the county of Palmela, and part of its perimeter coincides with the dividing line between the counties of Palmela and Montijo. It benefits from a Mediterranean climate with patent Atlantic influence, which is characteristic of the Setúbal Peninsula, and it is fundamentally composed of sandy soils in a total area of 535 hectares occupied by cork oaks, pine trees, irrigated area and vineyards.
We strive for the best that the land and the grapevines tend naturally to yield, seeking to preserve and develop this unique legacy, without distorting it. We have in mind the perpetuity of the terroir and the responsibility and privilege of being part of the history of this production, which we wish to be very long, going beyond our presence and intervention.
— José Gomes Aires
The Herdade de Pegos Claros has FSC forest management certification, which marks our commitment towards an environmentally consistent, socially beneficial and economically viable forestry. The cork oaks and tame pine trees that make up the forest area yield good quality cork and pine cones for pine nuts, in excellent conditions of profitability and productivity. Our cork oaks are relatively young, probably introduced in the 1930s in regular intervals. The tame pine trees area has undergone successive improvements and displays a regular distribution in various age categories. This forest area with enormous potential has been managed since 2010 by TerraTeam, with a sustainable approach and regard for the enhancement of natural resources.
Pegos Claros stands out especially for its extraordinary historical grapevines, mostly comprising centenary Castelão grapevines, a living testimony of one of the most appreciated territories of the registered designation of origin: the sandy soils of Palmela. By implementing a viticulture with minimal intervention and a conservative enology, we obtain authentic, expressive, differentiated and very characteristic wines, that continue to amaze and captivate a legion of admirers and followers, both in the national and international markets.
The specificity of our vineyard and winery is capable of producing special wines, but this is possible only thanks to a group of committed people with strong ties to this land. Overcoming difficulties, our work in the vineyard stimulates affective relationships with the whole project. It is undoubtedly a dedicated, creative teamwork with a strong human bond to the grapevines and to the wine, a work in which everyone shares a deep sense of belonging.
This is the case of Paulo Santos, proud estate warden for over 20 years, whose daily life, together with his family, is focused on the demanding necessities of the property. It is also the case of José Gomes Aires, who embraced the management of the Herdade de Pegos Claros, with which he was absolutely charmed and now strives both to restore its former notoriety and to outline its new horizons. Or the case of Bernardo Cabral, an enologist for about 20 years, whose technical work has succeeded in restoring the prestige the Pegos Claros brand deserves.
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