Region: Vinho Regional Lisboa
Grape: Vital. 85% of all Vital is made by Casal Figueira. It is the only 100% Vital. Old indigenous grape.
Vinification: Biodynamics in the vineyard, cold press and spontaneous fermentation in old barrels.
Tasting: A great replacement for Foradori white. Fresh, seaside white wine. Beautiful lemon, white flowers, fresh green apple and pear, with a hint of vanilla and warmth from the understated oak. High fresh salty acidity. Nice.
Casal Figueira was born from the passion of the late António Augusto Carvalho (1967-2009). Montpellier trained and an ebullient viticulturist, he discovered the grape Vital on the Serra de Montejunto and began a project to not only save this nearly extinct indigenous grape but become the only winemaker to make and bottle 100% Vital.
Marta met António while renting a studio space in the countryside north of Lisbon that was attached to his rented cellar. Marta, an artist at work in her studio, would often watch Antonió working by himself from early in the morning to late in the evening. From the care he gave to the vineyards to his work in the winery, she was amazed at his passion. Marta and Antonió married, and Marta soon became part of the small team of Casal Figueira.
During the 2009 harvest Antonio passed unexpectedly while treading on his Castelão grapes due to heart failure. Marta and their children were left with fermenting wines. Sharing with him the winemaking for over ten years and with the help of many good friends, Marta found it necessary to continue Casal Figueira. She changed the old vine Vital label to bear António’s name in remembrance. Today Marta and two co-workers make up the Casal Figueira team.
Antonio quite literally foun abandoned vines of up to 100 years of age on the side of a mountain, the Serra de Montejunto which you find on the map just north of Lisbon. It rises directly out of the Atlantic, limestone.
Damas Wine 