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Cartuxa

Excellence, quality and individuality in a style of its own, is what marks the difference and defines a classic Alentejo.
The logo identifies wines such as Cartuxa, Scala Coeli and the legendary Pêra-Manca

A Landmark since 1776

Founded by Ignacius of Loyola – later Saint Ignacius – in 1540, the Order of Jesuits was devoted to missionary and educational work. It was to those ends that Jesuits came to Évora, firstly to set up the College of the Holy spirit (Colégio Espirito Santo) around 1551, and later, in 1559, to create the University of Évora.

Adega Cartuxa

Adega Cartuxa took its name from its proximity to the Mosteiro da Cartuxa (Cartuxa Monastery), erected in the mid-16th century, a name which has endured to the present day. The great-grandfather of the creator of the Foundation bought the Estate in 1869.

The new Cartuxa Winery

Situated on the Herdade de Pinheiros estate, is fitted with three technological innovations that set it apart from the rest. These are: efficient refrigeration capacity; facility to sort the grapes on arrival at the winery and the ability to move musts and wine around by force of gravity.

Vineyard

All of the Foundation wines are based on the excellence of its fruit
Over 400 hectares of land under vines, closely monitored and replanted.

Vineyard

Major grape varieties indigenous to the Alentejo are used for white wines, such as Roupeiro, Antão Vaz and Arinto. Red wines are produced from the best-known indigenous varieties, like Trincadeira, Aragonês and Castelão

Vineyard

Each plot of vineyard is treated and tended individually throughout the year according to age, grape variety and soil structure, and always with a view to the wine the fruit is destined for

Vineyard

Harvesting begins between midnight and one a.m. when the grapes have cooled and released much of the radiation absorbed during the day.
The grapes are then speedily transported to the winery in small containers, to decrease the risk of oxidation

Vineyard

The harvest dates differ for each grape variety, depending on their maturation time and technical requirements to optimise production.

Cartuxa
The wines take their name from the Carthusian monks, who since 1598 have lived a life of solitude and prayer in the Monastery of Santa Maria Scala Coeli..

Scala Coeli
Scala Coeli (Latin for "stairway to Heaven”), takes its name from Cartuxa Monastery, a site where Carthusian monks live in silence and prayer.

Pêra-Manca
The label Eugénio de Almeida Foundation reserves for its most exceptional wines. Red wines are produced from Trincadeira and Aragonez grape varieties.

Winery

Adega Cartuxa – The old cellars at Quinta de Valbom are nowadays used to age the wines produced by the Eugénio de Almeida Foundation.

Winery

The success of its winemaking venture enables the Foundation to fund its charitable activities in the region

Winery

In 1759, the Jesuits were expelled from Portugal by Prime Minister Pombal, and the Valbom Estate was taken over by the State. In 1776 it was equipped with a wine press which quickly gained importance in the region.

Winery

The old equipment is disused now but was truly innovative in its day.There are still such museum pieces as clay pots (amphoras) for fermenting red wines, concrete fermentation vats and cement tanks for fermenting white wines.

Winery

The bottling line is fully automated and has an output of some four million bottles per year. These are red, rose and white wines of brands, Vinea, EA, Foral de Évora, Cartuxa, Scala Coeli and the legendary Pêra-Manca.

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Cartuxa Location:

Vineyard Spot: Evora, Portugal
Planted vine: 400 ha
Website: Cartuxa
One of our favorite wines from this producer:Cartuxa Reserve
Interesting fact: In the mid-20th century the then heir, decided to restore the monastery and return it to the Order of Saint Bruno. In 1960 the Carthusian Monks returned to the monastery at the invitation of the Foundation’s creator, who completely rebuilt and restored the building.