Pala Pinta: Carlão's oldest vineyards

The plots that we call Letter F are those that are located at altitude, on soils that transition from schist to granite and that include a wide variety of grape varieties. These are vineyards with less power and concentration, and therefore less loved and pushed towards abandonment. But there are still forgotten treasures, vineyards planted in other times that confirm that there are several terroirs in the region. These are one of those vineyards.

In Carlão, in the Cima Corgo region, the Pala Pinta vineyards cover a total area of 0.45 hectares at an altitude of 535 meters. These vineyards, which are 120-140 years old, are the oldest vineyards in Carlão. 

The variety of grape varieties is impressive. We've started work on restoring these vineyards, where 36 varieties have been identified:

White grape varieties: Carnal, Carrega Branco, Síria, Diagalves, Dona Branca, Dozelinho Branco, Folgasão, Formosa, Gouveio, Jean-Paul, Malvasia Rei, Praça, Rabigato, Trincadeira Branca, Rabigato Moreno.

Red grape varieties: Alvarelhão, Casculho, Cornifesto, Alvarelhão Seitão, Donzelinho Tinto, Ferral, Gonçalo Pires, Jaen, Malvasia Rei Preta, Moreto, Mourisco, Mourisco de Trevões, Castelão, Tinta Amarela, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Bastardinha, Tinta da Barca, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Rabigato Francês ("rosé").