Factor XPTO: Two words that guide me in the wine project are enthusiasm and freedom, without which nothing would be possible

“In 2021, amidst a major life change and concluding a cycle of work related to agriculture in Brazil, I began pursuing an old dream of owning a vineyard and producing my own wine. Since the age of 20, I have been passionate about wine, always taking courses and seeking out tastings and pairings, especially during my travels.
I am an architect with a postgraduate degree in economics and an MBA in e-commerce, along with an extension program in Rural Administration. In 2018, already holding several wine certifications, I took a Biodynamic Agriculture course in Brazil.
It was during this course that the idea emerged to invite one of my classmates, Valdir Zanirato, to develop a wine and olive oil project together in Portugal.
Thus, in September 2021, in the midst of the pandemic, after an extensive search, I found the Quinta de Santo Isidro, also known as Barroca da Malhada, a historic estate that once belonged to the Viscounts of Tinalhas. My sister, Luciana Teixeira de Camargo, and I jointly acquired the property, and she also became a partner in the project.

The estate, located in Tinalhas, in the Beira Interior region, offers a privileged view of the Serra da Gardunha. It spans 17.5 hectares, including five hectares of vineyards and five hectares of olive groves. This marked the beginning of the Barroca da Malhada project, based on organic management and biodynamic practices. In 2023, Fabio Fernandes joined as the estate’s new winemaker, and Joaquim Barbosa as cellar manager and collaborator.
The vineyards are primarily planted in clay-sandy soils, with some areas of decomposed granite, and the wines produced are artisanal, with minimal intervention during the winemaking process. Nine grape varieties are cultivated: Arinto, Fernão Pires, Bical, Touriga Nacional, Trincadeira, Aragonez, Baga, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Alicante Bouschet, all hand-harvested.
Currently, Barroca da Malhada is in transition to BIO certification, and two lines of wines are produced: Barroca da Malhada and Special Edition. These are intense, structured, gastronomic, and highly versatile wines.” Fernando Teixeira de Camargo