A small family farm in the southern part of Vinho Verde, Quinta da Pegadinha sits on the Cávado River, about 15 kilometres from the ocean. Its six hectares of vineyards share the farm with six hectares of pasture for cows and sheep. The family also makes cheese.
Winemaker Felipe Lemos describes the farm’s approach as integrated production. The estate is not certified organic, largely because producing maize to feed the animals makes it difficult to avoid non-organic inputs. Vineyard work, however, is done by hand, and no herbicides are used.
Peghadinha Reserva Branco 2022, Vinho Verde
Made from Loureiro, the grapes are picked in the morning and carried in small crates. Whole bunches are pressed gently, followed by natural settling in stainless steel. Fermentation takes place in a mix of stainless steel and used French oak, with extensive lees work.
The wine is supple, fine and linear, with detailed lemon fruit and subtle saline notes. It has lovely tension, a fresh finish and excellent balance. 94/100
Peghadinha Alvarinho Reserva 2023, Vinho Verde
This wine comes from the second harvest of four-year-old vines. The fruiting wire is set at 1.6 metres, and the canopy is trained to spread like an umbrella, shielding the grapes from the sun. Fabric mulch is used between the vine rows. The grapes are pressed and the wine is fermented and aged in stainless steel.
Fresh and aromatic, it offers apricot and lemon, with appealing texture, bright fruit and a touch of salinity. Fine spicy detail and expressive flavours give it a crystalline quality. 93/100
Peghadinha Padeiro Grande Escolha 2023, Vinho Verde
The Padeiro grapes are foot-trodden in stainless steel tanks and undergo a 48-hour cold maceration before fermentation off the skins.
Deep pink-red in colour, the wine is fragrant, bright and juicy, with redcurrant fruit, good acidity and a slight crunch. Pretty and expressive, it finishes with intensity and freshness. 92/100