Esporão acquires Vinho Verde’s Quinta do Ameal

Portuguese wine company Esporão has made another acquisition outside its Alentejo home in the form of Quinta do Ameal in Vinho Verde.

The 30-hectare property, based in the Lima River Valley, is owned by Pedro Araújo who has operated the estate since the 1990s.

A pioneer of the Loureiro grape, the estate’s wines include Ameal Loureiro, Quinta do Ameal Solo Único, Quinta do Ameal Escolha, Ameal Espumante and Ameal Colheita Special Harvest.

The financial details of the acquisition have not been disclosed.

Founded in 1973 by José Roquette and Joaquim Bandeira, Esporão produces around 12 million litres of wine a year with an annual turnover of €50 million.

The producer bought Quinta das Murças in the Douro in 2008 and craft beer brand Sovina in 2017. It also owns Portuguese wine label Monte Velho and makes a range of olive oils.

According to a statement, Araújo will remain part of the company. Commenting on the sale, he said: “This was an opportunity that was too good to miss and provides us with the ability to reconcile and boost the reputation of Quinta do Ameal wines – the result of over 20 years of hard work – with the fantastic potential of a producer with the strength, strategy and the philosophy in full harmony with our own.”

João Roquette, the son of José and the CEO of Esporão, added: “This idea was formed with the recognition of the great quality and potential of the wines made at Quinta do Ameal by Pedro Araújo, and the building of confidence, friendship and the future vision to make great wines, with identity and a sense of place, which also challenge the status quo of the region. Esporão welcomes this legacy, conscious of the trust placed in us and with great enthusiasm for the future.”