Serra Oca

Serra Oca is a new project from Quinta do Olival da Murta, a fifth-generation family winery located about 80km north of Lisbon. The winery is named after the Serra de Montejunto, which is also called Serra Oca or "Hollow Mountain" because of the extensive network of caves found beneath it. The family tends 20ha vineyards (along with 40ha of apple and pear orchards) and began making their own wines in 2013. Today, the vineyards are certified organic and incorporate some biodynamic practices. The climate is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and the nearby Serra de Montejunto, which blocks the prevailing winds and causes morning fog that cools the area. Low-fertility clay-limestone soils lead to naturally low yields in the vineyards. All grapes are hand-harvested, and in the cellar, the goal is to focus on the quality of the grapes through simple, hands-off vinification. Fermentation occurs spontaneously with native yeast, no synthetic chemicals are added, wines spend time only in used barrels, and only low doses of sulfur are added.