Esporao
The Esporão project began in 1973 when José Roquette and Joaquim Bandeira set out to craft the finest wines in the Alentejo region, a passion that extends to other products and regions. Esporão draws inspiration from nature, respecting and protecting it to build a more promising future. The company operates on the belief that businesses should serve society, not the other way around, and upholds a strong sense of individual and collective responsibility.
Esporão encourages non-conformity, change, and creativity, always striving to improve rather than simply produce more. Their progress is driven by the knowledge they develop and the heart and soul they invest in their work. Recently, Esporão sought a single word to encapsulate their mission of creating the finest natural products responsibly and inspiringly. While one word couldn’t capture their essence, terms like family, life, pride, inspire, truth, quality, excellence, and heritage all resonate deeply with their journey.
Herdade do Esporão
Herdade do Esporão, part of the Alentejo’s montado ecosystem (cork oak forests) in Portugal, offers exceptional agricultural conditions with large thermal amplitudes, diverse soils, and extraordinary biodiversity. Spanning 691.9 hectares, the estate features vineyards, olive groves, orchards, and kitchen gardens, all cultivated using organic methods. Around 40 grape varieties and 4 types of olives thrive here, reflecting Esporão’s commitment to organic farming.
Esporão’s commitment to organic farming includes diverse plant life that supports beneficial insects, microorganisms that enrich the soil, and animals like bats, sheep, and chickens that help manage pests and vegetation. This holistic approach enhances biodiversity and ensures a healthy vineyard, ultimately leading to wines that reflect their natural environment.
Slow Forward
Esporão embraces a philosophy of “Slow Forward,” moving at nature’s pace to create, innovate, and cultivate with care and responsibility. This approach allows time to savor and enjoy life fully. Esporão’s manifesto captures this ethos:
“The world moves at a faster pace than ever.
But to many of us, it looks like we’re going nowhere fast.
Fast is surrendering our privacy for instant access to memes.
Fast is downing a double espresso while rushing to work.
Fast has us watching five seasons of a show on Netflix in one gulp.
Fast has made the week speed by because we were too busy to stop and look around.
Fast isn’t forward.
We’re from the slow country.
We have a different pace of life.
And it makes life look pretty good.
Slow is smart. Slow is a skill. Slow is progress.
So if you’re in a hurry, drink wine slowly.
Drink life slowly.
There are many ways to move forward.
This is ours. Esporão.
Slow Forward.”
The Olive Groves
Esporão extra virgin olive oils are the expression of the Alentejo region of Portugal. The olive trees, planted over time, continue to teach and inspire, preserving native varieties that are carefully selected and cold-pressed in Esporão’s olive mill. Only sustainable processes are used, ensuring that all nutrients, aromas, and flavors are preserved, respecting both nature and people.
Located in the Alentejo, Herdade do Esporão has unique conditions for agriculture. The olive oil venture began in 1997, and currently, some 100 hectares of organic olive groves contain four different varieties. Since 1997, Esporão has been producing high-quality olive oil. Their 115 hectares of olive groves span Alentejo and Douro, with the first organic grove, Olival dos Arrifes, planted in 2007.
This dedication to organic farming and sustainable practices ensures that Esporão’s olive oils are as exceptional as their wines.
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