Why it matters
The producer
In 2017, entrepreneur Dieter Morszeck acquired 85 hectares of land in the Alentejo. He had been president of Rimowa and is a grandson of that luxury luggage brand's founder, while his wine work takes place in Vidigueira alongside business in Switzerland and the United States.
Quinta do Paral describes itself as a family business. The estate produces wine and olive oil, preserves Vidigueira's old vines, harvests all grapes by hand, and uses minimal intervention in the winery so each parcel can express the natural character of Vidigueira.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Vidigueira is an Alentejo subregion with strong westerly wind, humidity at night, and schist, granite and clay soils. These conditions support native grape varieties and the white wines associated with the area.
Antão Vaz is a native variety and a source of Vidigueira's famous white wines. Perrum, Tinta Grossa and Aragonez are also grown in the subregion, giving Quinta do Paral access to the local grape heritage in both white and red wine work.
Wines to know
The range in view
Quinta do Paral's named wine is the 2024 Classic White, a white wine made from Antão Vaz, Verdelho, Vermentino and Viognier. The grapes are destemmed and pressed before fermentation in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks, followed by three months in French oak barrels.
The wine has 13% alcohol and 0.4 g/dm³ total sugar. It is nuanced and fruity, with oak, yellow apple, apricot, spice, passion fruit, herbs and citrus, alongside a fresh finish.